Composite cervicofacial flap for reconstruction of complex cheek defects.

The authors present the reconstructive technique for complex cheek defects using the composite cervicofacial flap and study the possibilities, advantages, disadvantages, and results that can be expected. The design follows the classic outline of Mustardé's flap. The skin is undermined for 2 cm anterior to the ear, then after incision of the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS), undermining is continued below the plane of the SMAS, level with the facial nerve branches. It is continued forward to the facial vessels, which give rise to branches that ensure the blood supply of this composite flap and contribute to its high reliability. In the cervical region, undermining is done beneath the platysma, which is transected transversely in the lower cervical region to allow good upward mobility and satisfactory transposition of the flap. The flap is adapted to the defect and the medial suture line is placed as near as possible to the medial limit of the cheek aesthetic unit. The authors carried out a retrospective study of 7 patients with complex facial reconstruction after excision of malignant lesions. The defects measured from 4x4 cm to 9x7 cm. In 4 patients excision included the periosteum, and in 1 patient excision involved the entire thickness and removed the entire anterior half of the cheek. In 4 patients reconstruction involved the cheek and eyelid. In spite of the advanced age of the patients (88, 69, 91, 67, 70, 82, and 59 years), there was no distal edge necrosis. The only complication was a single case of facial paresis, which resolved spontaneously. The results were considered very good in all 7 patients. The authors conclude that the composite flap increases the possibilities of the cervicofacial flap. It is more mobile, more reliable, thicker, and more adaptable. It can be used in complex cheek defects that involve the periosteum, or even in full-thickness defects. The quality of the results obtained using this flap represents a considerable advance in facial reconstruction.     

Midface reconstruction with free flaps]

STUDY AIM: Midface is situated between the occlusal plane and the transverse midorbital plane. The aim of midface reconstruction is to restore the bony and soft tissue contour of the face, to obtain a rigid support for the velum, to allow oronasal separation, and to allow support for the orbit and obliteration of the maxillary sinus in order to restore the main functions: respiration, speech, deglutition, mastication, olfaction, vision. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1988 and 1997, 65 patients with defects to the midface in relation with cancer (n = 60), gunshot (n = 3), or congenital malformation (n = 2), underwent reconstruction with one or more transplants: forearm (n = 21), latissimus dorsi (n = 23), scapula (n = 12), composed subscapula (n = 10), and fibula (n = 4). Forty-seven of the patients were men and 18 were women. The mean age was 56 years (12-90 years). In patients with cancer, tumoral resection was immediately followed by midface reconstruction in the last 43 cases. Free flaps were selected for reconstruction of each part of the midface: cheek, nose, orbit floor, maxillary and palate. RESULTS: One post-operative death occurred (1.5%). The morbidity rate (18.7%) included necrosis of the free flaps in four cases. Average resumption of oral intake was ten days. The mean time to discharge was 17 days. Aesthetic and functional results were rated good or excellent in 53 patients. After one year, 52 patients were alive. Oral intake was normal in 48 patients, and mixed in four. Speech was excellent or good in 49 patients. From amongst the patients, 80% were able to find a job. CONCLUSION: Free flaps with micro surgery provides an optimal, functional, morphological and aesthetic outcome. Patients with advanced cancer of the midface are best managed through a multidisciplinary team approach. Microsurgical reconstruction represents the technical state of the art in case of extensive and complex midface defect.     

邻近部位皮瓣转移修复鼻端部软组织缺损

选择不同的邻近部位皮瓣修复鼻端部软组织缺损。方法：根据鼻尖、鼻翼及鼻小柱不同范围的软组织缺损，选用邻近部位皮瓣转移修复22例(鼻唇沟皮瓣9例，反流轴型耳廓复合组织瓣3例，轴型鼻背旋转皮瓣4例，额部皮瓣6例)。结果：皮瓣转移至受区后在色泽、质地上与受区原有组织接近，修复效果满意。结论：邻近部位皮瓣转移是修复鼻端部不同范围的软组织缺损的较好方法。     

Free flaps for reconstruction of the lower back and sacral area

Free flap reconstruction of the lower back and sacrum is complicated by a paucity of recipient vessels and difficulties in postoperative care. From 1983 to 1997, six patients with intractable wounds of the lower back and sacral area were treated with free flaps. The flaps used were latissimus dorsi (three), combined latissimus dorsi and serratus anterior (one), and filleted leg tissue (two). The recipient vessels were the deep femoral vessels, the perforator vessels of the deep femoral system, the inferior epigastric vessels, and the superior gluteal and inferior gluteal vessels. The patients were observed in the intensive care unit for 1 week and kept in prone position for 4 weeks. All flaps survived and wounds healed primarily. For large or multiple defects of the lower back and sacrum, free tissue transfer is effective in achieving primary healing, particularly when local flaps are inadequate or have failed.     

邻近组织瓣转移修复部分唇缺损

目的:应用面部邻近缺损部位的皮肤及粘膜瓣转移修复唇部小范围组织缺损。方法:根据唇红及唇白缺损情况选择邻近部位的皮肤、粘膜瓣转移修复了8例唇部缺损。结果:术后唇部外形恢复良好,唇弓形态基本正常。结论:应用邻近皮肤及粘膜组织瓣转移是修复较小范围唇红、唇白及唇弓缺损的一种良好方法。     

Use of pedicled cutaneous groin flaps in distal reconstruction of the upper extremity]

In the years 1981-1997 at the Department of Plastic Surgery Medical Centre for Postsgraduate Education in Warsaw 116 patients were treated surgically using groin flaps and 97 patients using a pedicled cutaneous groin flap. This paper reports the results of the later technique. Reconstructions were performed in 10 female patients aged 18-58 (mean age 37.5 years) and 87 male patients aged 15-67 (mean age 33.8 years). The tissue defects or acquired deformations were caused by: crush injuries (26 cases), scalping injuries (23 cases), rugged injuries (18 cases), avulsion trauma (15 cases), explosion injuries (8 cases) and electric burns (7 cases). Flap size depended upon extent of the tissue defect and the from flaps were 7-26 cm long and 4-12 cm wide. Flap area ranged from 35 to 260 square centimetres. Emergency procedures were performed in 59 patients (61%). Secondary reconstructions were carried out in 38 cases (39%). Operative technique was based on the rules described by McGregor and Jackson. The donor site was sutured primarily tubulizing its basis--as in tube flap. The flap pedicle was cut off during a one stage procedure in 41 patients 21-30 days (mean 23 days) after surgery or during a two-stage procedure in 56 cases. The two-stage procedure consisted of an incision of part of the pedicle after 15-45 days post-op (mean 21 days) followed by a complete dissection after a few days (mean 4 days). In 44 cases the flap required modelling i.e. excision of excessives kin and/or thinning of subcutaneous tissue. The flap healed in 96 patients (99%). Complications at different stages of the treatment were observed in 40 patients (41%). In 3 cases wound ischemia was observed because of too tight suturing. Removal of skin sutures lead to normalization of blood supply. In 7 patients cyanotic skin of the distal part with no significant consequences was observed. In 27 patients (28%) necrosis of the marginal tissues surrounding the operation wound after cutting of the pedicle was noted. Besides supported necrectomy a conservative treatment was also applied by putting dressings soaked with antiseptics and 0.5% neomycine solution on a daily basis. This prolonged treatment by further several weeks. No significant complications were observed at the donor site.     

Pre-expanded arterialised venous free flaps for burn contracture of the cervicofacial region.

Despite the fact that arterialised venous flaps provide thin good-quality tissue to repair defects of the face and neck, their clinical applications have been limited by an unstable postoperative course and variable flap necrosis. In an effort to resolve these problems, a tissue-expansion technique has been applied to the arterialised venous flap before flap transfer. Three pre-expanded arterialised venous free flaps have been used to treat post-burn scar contracture of the cervicofacial region. The donor site was confined to the forearm in each case. A rectangular expander was usually placed over the fascia of the flexor muscles in the proximal two-thirds of the forearm. The mean expansion period, volume and flap size were 44 days, 420 cm(3)and 147 cm(2), respectively. There were no complications caused by insertion and expansion. The cervicofacial region was successfully reconstructed, after excision of the post-burn contractures, with pre-expanded arterialised venous flaps, with no marginal necrosis or postoperative instability. Large thin arterialised venous flaps are well matched with the recipient defect in the cervicofacial area and the colour and texture match obtained with forearm tissue produced an aesthetically favourable result. Pre-expanded arterialised venous flaps are another new option for free flap reconstruction of the face and neck.     

Free flaps in burn reconstruction

In this paper, we present our experience of free flap reconstructions in burned patients. It allows the preservation of otherwise unsalvageable deep burn injuries and secondary correction of contracted burn scars. We analyse the indications of different free flaps, according to different anatomic regions and defects: depth and width of the loss of tissue, different colour skin, texture and thickness of the receptor area, weight-bearing or not weight-bearing surface. Free flap reconstructions were successful in 50 of 53 cases (94%). They provide good aesthetic and functional results with low morbidity both in acute deep burn injuries as in delayed reconstructions.     

Bilobed flaps in nasal reconstruction

The bilobed flap is a local transposition flap useful for the repair of nasal defects commonly seen after Mohs surgery. The bilobed flap has benefits over other nasal transposition or advancement flaps because it distributes wound closure tension over a larger surface area through the use of 2 lobes. This property is especially helpful for defects of the caudal portion of the nose, where the skin is less elastic. This article discusses the bilobed flap for nasal reconstruction along with the appropriate selection, design, and placement of the flap and the potential complications.     

Transposition flaps in nasal reconstruction

The aim of reconstructive nasal surgery is not only to rebuild all or part of the nose but also to blend and tailor the new and old tissues in such a way as to create the best possible result. Although a variety of reconstructive options exist, local or regional skin flaps are one of the most powerful reconstructive tools for the reconstruction of cutaneous nasal defects. This article discusses the fundamentals of nasal reconstruction and describes the local and regional transposition flaps for the reconstruction of nasal defects.     

Glabellar flaps in nasal reconstruction

Reconstruction of nasal defects presents a particularly unique challenge for the surgeon. Complex aesthetic subunits and limited available adjacent mobile skin with varying color, texture, and thickness all contribute to this task. The ideal reconstruction of nasal defects recruits tissue of similar color, texture, and thickness to that of the defect. Two versatile local flaps for nasal reconstruction are the glabellar flap and an extension of the glabellar flap, the dorsal nasal flap. The authors describe the use of these two local flaps for reconstruction of nasal defects and modifications of these procedures for certain indications, as well as their use in medial canthal reconstruction.     

Composite reconstruction in advanced cancer of the mouth floor: autogenous frozen-thawed mandibular bone and free flaps

Mandibular symphyseal resection requires composite reconstructions, often with unsatisfactory morphofunctional results. Seven patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the floor of the mouth underwent block resection with immediate reconstruction, using the removed mandible treated with liquid nitrogen and covered with a free forearm flap. In all cases, the resection was radical and no major postoperative complications occurred. Two patients died in 6 months for distant metastases and regional recurrence. In the other 5 patients, no local recurrence occurred at a mean follow-up of 52 months (36-70). Immediate cosmetic and functional results were good. Of the 5 patients, 4 had late complications requiring further surgery. This technique of bone reimplantation produces no donor site morbidity, perfect immediate morphological result, and is of low cost. The free forearm flap is effective in sealing the oral cavity, though further clinical and experimental studies are necessary to reduce late local complications.     

Fasciocutaneous flaps in reconstruction of the lower extremity

The fasciocutaneous flap, when correctly chosen, can supply an expedient solution for some of the challenging soft-tissue problems in the leg. The fasciocutaneous flap should be included in the list of reconstructive options for the lower extremity, particularly in the distal tibia. The improved knowledge of blood supply to the fasciocutaneous flaps allows the design of a safer, longer, more useful flap.     

Buccal mucosal flaps in nasal reconstruction

Buccal mucosal flaps provide a simple and effective method of replacing nasal mucosal lining. This technique has been used in 15 patients requiring reconstruction of full thickness defects of the lateral nasal wall and tip of nose, in combination with a variety of local flaps for skin cover. The buccal mucosal flap is of particular value in reconstructing the common defect of the lower lateral nasal wall and alar rim where more bulky reconstructions often distort the airway.     

Fascio-cutaneous cross-arm flaps in hand reconstruction

Experience is reported in the use of eight fascio-cutaneous cross-arm and forearm flaps in three patients. This has proved to be a reliable and satisfactory means of providing skin cover in reconstruction of the hand, giving flaps of a length to breadth ratio of at least two to one. The method was particularly useful where multiple defects were encountered, although in one case where a single defect required reconstruction, the ability to tube the pedicle of the flap allowed full mobility of the injured hand. Primary wound healing was achieved in all cases, and the patients have progressed to a satisfactory functional result. The advantages and disadvantages of this flap are discussed and compared with other established methods of reconstruction.     

New workhorse flaps in hand reconstruction

With the passage of time, certain hand surgery procedures are anecdotally dubbed “workhorse” techniques. These are procedures that are extremely reliable and have repeatedly demonstrated good results. However, with time, paradigms undergo shifts, and this is as true for hand surgery as any other field. In this article, we will describe the use of three new “workhorse” flaps that we have found to have reliable results in complex hand reconstruction: the pedicled radial forearm fascia flap for dorsal hand reconstruction, the free anterolateral thigh flap for mangled hand reconstruction, and the medial femoral condyle vascularized bone graft for scaphoid fracture nonunion reconstruction.