Medial forefoot fillet flap for primary closure of transmetatarsal amputation: A series of four cases

Amputation of the forefoot is a salvage procedure for several forefoot acute or chronic infection. A good, sensate and durable skin cover is important for quicker and better rehabilitation. The use of filleted flaps (or “spare parts technique”) has been published in the past as a creative technique. The purpose of this article is to introduce a reproducible, pre-planned, technique that requires less creativity for the use of the “spare parts”.The authors describe a case series of 4 patients with deep infection and osteomyelitis of the forefoot, without involvement of the medial skin that underwent two staged procedure for transmetatarsal amputation with medial forefoot fillet flap.The first procedure was amputation of the 4 lesser metatarsal and the wound was left open. After a few days the second operation was done with amputation of the first metatarsal bone and using the filleted medial skin and subcutaneous tissue for closure of the wound.In conclusion the medial fillet flap is an effective method of covering large wounds after partial, lateral forefoot amputation. This method shortens the healing time of the patient, and in hospital stay. The authors recommend using the staged method when dealing with diabetic patients with partial, central and lateral forefoot deep infection and/or necrosis.     

Transmetatarsal amputation: A 12 year retrospective case review of outcomes

BackgroundDiabetic foot pathology has rapidly increased, presenting a vast economic burden with severe implications for patients. Establishing effective limb salvage techniques such as transmetatarsal amputation is essential to offer viable alternatives to major limb amputation in severe foot infection, where outcomes are variable and mortality rates high.MethodsA retrospective review of outcomes was performed on patients who underwent TMA at a single United Kingdom hospital between 2005–2017. Healing rate and time to healing, mortality, duration of hospital admission and incidence of revision surgery was evaluated.Forty-seven patients had 54 TMA’s by the Podiatric Surgery team. Data was assessed for Mean (SD) and Median. The impact of co-morbidities was considered and the perioperative and surgical management reviewed to identify techniques which may improve outcomes.ResultsA 78% healing rate was achieved. Six patients (11%) died before healing. The aremaining 11% did not heal and resulted in major limb amputation. No further surgery to the same foot was required after the TMA healed.A Median healing time of 83 days was identified and the Median duration of hospital admission was 24 days. Adjunctive wound care products may to have a positive impact on these factors.Five-year mortality was 43%, and demonstrated an association with renal and/or vascular pathology. All patients had diabetes, with many also having Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD). Almost all TMA’s failing to heal had PVD. The presence and severity of renal disease also seemed to have a negative impact on wound healing.ConclusionPositive healing and mortality rates with low need for revision surgery support TMA to be an effective alternative to major limb amputation. Adjunctive agents may have a positive impact on wound healing and length of hospital admission. Skilled surgical technique and Multidisciplinary work is essential for positive long-term outcomes and cost-effective care.     

Reconstruction of the pelvis using a composite island flap salvaged from the remaining leg

The case of a patient who sustained horrific injuries resulting in the loss of his left leg and hemipelvis and damage to the right sacroiliac joint and leg is discussed. The remaining leg was paralyzed as a result of damage to the sacral plexus. As a salvage procedure, a right above-knee amputation was performed, preserving a large composite flap from the distal part of the limb. This flap, consisting of most of the skin and soft tissue of the lower leg, contained within it a 10 cm segment of tibia and fibula. By islanding the flap on a pedicle composed of the femoral vessels, saphenous, and sciatic nerves, it was possible to mobilize it sufficiently far proximally to reconstruct the bone and soft-tissue defect of the contralateral hemipelvis. Seven years after this appalling injury, the patient has achieved a remarkable psychological and functional rehabilitation. He is independent and is successfully pursuing a professional career. This case report is a dramatic illustration of what can be achieved in reconstruction following trauma using salvage techniques.     

Forequarter amputation with fasciocutaneous deltoid flap reconstruction for malignant tumors of the upper extremity

Background: Malignant tumors of the upper extremity involving a considerable portion of the medial axillary wall may require forequarter amputation to achieve gross resection of tumor. These resections frequently leave a large defect, often requiring a split thickness skin graft or free flap to close the wound. To address this problem of wound closure, we have modified our technique and devised a reconstructive component as part of our forequarter amputation procedure. Methods: The medical records of seven patients who underwent forequarter amputation and fasciocutaneous deltoid flap reconstruction between 1982 and 1994 were reviewed. Results: All the amputation sites were completely closed with a fasciocutaneous deltoid flap without the use of additional skin grafts or free flaps. After a median follow-up of 12 months, there were no local recurrences. Three patients (43%) are alive and disease free 5, 12, and 19 months after their forequarter amputation. One patient is alive with disease after 14 months. The remaining three patients died of their disease. Conclusion: The fasciocutaneous deltoid flap is technically easy to perform, provides wound coverage without the use of skin grafts, and is especially useful for tumors involving the media axillary wall and in patients with previous axillary radiation.Presented at the 49th Annual Cancer Symposium of The Society of Surgical Oncology, Atlanta, Georgia, March 21–24, 1996.     

Reconstruction of the foot and lower leg by a fasciocutaneous cross-leg flap after traumatic amputation and circumferential soft-tissue loss

Summary The use of a fasciocutaneous cross-leg flap in two cases to cover severe soft-tissue injuries with circumferential degloving of the lower leg and foot is presented. This was preceded by local treatment with topical agents and debridement, followed by application of a mesh skin graft. The functional and aesthetic defect of the donor site is minimal.     

Circumferential forearm fasciocutaneous free flap reconstruction of forequarter amputation/chest wall resection using simultaneous extra-anatomic revascularization (SEAR)

Background: This report describes a technique in which temporary extra-anatomic revascularization of an amputated part was used to preserve a free flap while tumor resection and chest wall reconstruction were performed. Methods: A patient with multiple local recurrences of basosquamous carcinoma of the shoulder underwent forequarter amputation with en bloc resection of the upper chest wall. During the resection, an elbow disarticulation of the amputated limb was performed. The vascular pedicle of the amputated forearm was joined to the dorsalis pedis vessels of the foot. Following completion of tumor resection and chest wall reconstruction, the forearm was disconnected from the foot and re-anastomosed to thoracic vessels, and a circumferential fasciocutaneous free flap was then harvested and inset. Results: No ischemic flap complications occurred, and the patient recovered well. Ample time was afforded for complete tumor resection with negative margins and prosthetic reconstruction of the chest wall. Conclusions: The technique of temporary, simultaneous extra-anatomic revascularization of an amputated part for later free flap harvest may be helpful in avoiding potentially long flap ischemia times in selected complex oncologic resections. Presented at the Cine Clinic, 50th Annual Cancer Symposium, Society of Surgical Oncology, March 21, 1997, Chicago, Illinois. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors alone, and are not the opinions of the United States Air Force or the Department of Defense.     

Reconstruction of the lower leg and foot with the reverse-pedicled anterior tibial flap: preliminary report of a new fasciocutaneous flap

The blood supply to the skin of the anterior leg was studied in 10 fresh cadavers. Particular attention was paid to the intermuscular septal blood vessels, which emerge in the cleft between tibialis anterior and extensor hallucis longus and extensor digitorum longus muscles. With this anatomical knowledge, the reverse-pedicled anterior tibial fasciocutaneous flap was designed and transferred clinically to cover lower leg and foot defects in 6 patients. Three case reports are detailed. The factors which allow a distally based flap to be raised in the lower leg against the direction of venous valves are also described. The versatility of this new flap in the reconstruction of defects of the lower leg and foot is discussed.     

Covering the below-knee amputation stump with the pedicled dorsalis pedis flap from the ipsilateral foot: a case report

It is important to preserve the length, appropriate durable skin, and sensation of the stump when performing below-knee amputation to achieve functional ambulation with a prosthesis. There are many reports of reconstruction procedures using microvascular surgery to preserve the optimum length of the amputation stump for prosthesis; however, free tissue reconstruction is necessary to accompany with the donor site morbidity. In this report, we describe our experience with a below-knee amputation and stump covering using the pedicled dorsalis pedis flap from the no longer usable foot in the case of a severe osteomyelitis of a lower extremity after highly contaminated Gustilo type IIIB fracture. We achieved a well-healed amputated stump with enough length for a prosthesis and for protective sensation. The pedicled dorsalis pedis flap is easily elevated without microvascular anastomosis and is one useful option for the reconstruction of the below-knee amputated stump in the specific case.     

Free fillet flap application to cover forequarter or traumatic amputation of an upper extremity: A case report

Reusing tissue of amputated or unsalvageable limbs to reconstruct soft tissue defects is one aspect of the “spare parts concept.” Using a free fillet flap in such situations enables the successful formation of a proximal stump with the length needed to cover a large defect from forequarter amputation without risking additional donor‐site morbidity. The use of free fillet flaps for reconstruction after forequarter and traumatic upper extremity amputations is illustrated here in a case report. A 41‐year old patient required a forequarter amputation to resect a desmoid tumor, resulting in an extensive soft‐tissue defect of the upper extremity. A free fillet flap of the amputated arm and an additional local epaulette flap were used to reconstruct the defect. At 9 months after the procedure, a satisfactory result with a very well healed flap was attained. Free fillet flaps can be used successfully for reconstruction of large upper extremity defects, without risking additional donor‐site morbidity. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 36:700–704, 2016.     

切取创伤性离断肢体游离皮瓣修复小腿残端软组织缺损

目的探讨从创伤性离断肢体切取游离皮瓣修复小腿残端软组织缺损的临床疗效。方法2001年5月～2005年6月,应用从创伤性离断肢体切取游离皮瓣的方法修复6例小腿截肢残端软纰织缺损创面,其中男5例,女1例,年龄25～42岁,平均31岁。右侧4例,左侧2例。均行急诊手术,应用吻合胫后血管与神经的游离足底皮瓣5例,吻合胫前血管与腓浅神经的游离足背皮瓣1例。皮瓣面积为8 cm×10 cm～9 cm×12 cm。结果1例术后发生表浅感染,经更换敷料逐渐愈合,皮瓣全部成活。所有患者随访1．8～3．5年,平均2．7年。受区外形和膝关节功能恢复良好。结论切取创伤性离断肢体游离皮瓣,具有血管解剖恒定、血管蒂长和切取容易等优点,修复后的肢体残端愈合好、局部无疼痛、耐磨,避免了从其它部位切取皮瓣而导致的并发症,可保留创伤性截肢残端有功能的长度和膝关节功能。     

Appendiceal stump abscess as an early complication of laparoscopic appendectomy: report of a case

We report the case of an appendiceal stump abscess that was treated by relaparoscopy 4 days after a laparoscopic appendectomy (LA). Surgeons should be aware of the possibility of appendiceal stump abscess occurring as an early complication of LA. When performing LA, the appendiceal stump should be as short as possible, and the ligation of the root of the appendix should be only moderately tight, so as not to cause ischemic change of the stump, indicated by discoloration or edema. The insertion of a drain for monitoring exudate, as well as sonography, and relaparoscopy are helpful for diagnosing and treating this complication. Received: September 28, 2001 / Accepted: March 5, 2002     

Coverage of traumatic chest-wall defect using a fasciocutaneous forearm flap: case report.

Complete, stable chest-wall reconstruction was accomplished in a single operative procedure, using a fasciocutaneous free forearm flap based on the brachial artery. This allowed coverage of an extensive chest-wall defect.     

Reconstruction of the penis using a radial forearm free flap. A case report

The total reconstruction of a penis using an innervated radial forearm osteofasciocutaneous free flap is described. Essentially, this procedure is completed in a single stage and satisfies all criteria for good penis reconstruction: the urethra opens at the distal end of the shaft allowing normal micturition; and sensory innervation of the flap, together with the inclusion of vascularised autogenous bone as a stiffener, facilitates normal sexual function.     

Persistent median artery in a pediatric trauma patient: case report

A persistent median artery is a well-described variation in the vascular anatomy of the upper extremity and hand, with an incidence of 1% to 30% in the general population. We present a case of a persistent median artery in a pediatric trauma patient. The median artery helped maintain blood flow to the nearly amputated hand after complete transection of radial and ulnar arteries.     

Delayed duodenal stump blow-out following total gastrectomy for cancer: Heightened awareness for the continued presence of the surgical past in the present is the key to a successful duodenal stump disruption management. A case report

INTRODUCTION

Duodenal stump disruption remains one of the most dreadful postgastrectomy complications, posing an overwhelming therapeutic challenge.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

The present report describes the extremely rare occurrence of a delayed duodenal stump disruption following total gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y esophagojejunostomy for cancer, because of mechanical obstruction of the distal jejunum resulting in increased backpressure on afferent limp and duodenal stump. Surgical management included repair of distal jejunum obstruction, mobilization and re-stapling of the duodenum at the level of its intact second part and retrograde decompressing tube duodenostomy through the proximal jejunum.

DISCUSSION

Several strategies have been proposed for the successful management post-gastrectomy duodenal stump disruption however; its treatment planning is absolutely determined by the presence or not of generalized peritonitis and hemodynamic instability with hostile abdomen. In such scenario, urgent reoperation is mandatory and the damage control principle should govern the operative treatment.

CONCLUSION

Considering that scientific data about duodenal stump disruption have virtually disappeared from the current medical literature, this report by contradicting the anachronism of this complication aims to serve as a useful reminder for gastrointestinal surgeons to be familiar with the surgical techniques that provide the ability to properly manage this dreadful postoperative complication.