Free flap transfer in treatment of forearm wounds with anterior interosseous vessels as the recipient vessels: a report of 5 cases
10.3760/cma.j.cn441206-20240412-00098
- VernacularTitle:以骨间前血管为受区血管的游离皮瓣修复前臂创面5例
- Author:
Tao ZHOU
1
;
Qiankun WANG
;
Liang HE
;
Ding ZHOU
;
Zifu WANG
;
Jun HUANG
;
Lin ZHONG
;
Yang NIU
;
Zhe JIN
;
Dong YIN
;
Hongxiang ZHOU
Author Information
1. 安徽医科大学第一附属医院骨科手足修复重建病区,合肥 230031
- Keywords:
Anterior interosseous artery;
Anterior interosseous veins;
Surgical flap;
Reconstruction of defect;
Forearm
- From:
Chinese Journal of Microsurgery
2024;47(4):404-409
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of free flap transfer with anastomosis of anterior interosseous artery and accompanying veins as the recipient vessels in reconstruction of forearm defects.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted on 5 patients who received free flaps transfers with anastomoses of anterior interosseous artery and accompanying veins in reconstruction of forearm defects with exposed bone and tendon in the Department of Orthopaedics of the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University between July 2022 and November 2023. All patients were males, aged 31 to 54 years old with an average age of 41.8 years old. Two patients had defects of dorsal ulnar forearm, 2 of distal forearm and 1 of radial palmar forearm. The defected areas after debridement sized 11.0 cm×4.5 cm-20.0 cm×6.0 cm. Free anterolateral thigh perforator flaps (ALTPF), sized 13.0 cm×6.0 cm-22.0 cm×7.0 cm, were used in 4 patients to reconstruct the forearm defects. A free superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator flap was used in 1 patient with the flap sized at 12.0 cm×5.5 cm. All donor sites were directly sutured. Scheduled postoperative follow up was carried out to evaluate the blood supply to the flaps, texture, appearance, fracture healing and the function of the affected limb, as well as the flap sensation according to the criteria for sensory function of British Medical Research Council (BMRC).Results:All 5 patients had received 4 to 16 (mean 8.8) months of follow-up. All flaps survived completely without necrosis or infection. All flaps were good in colour and texture. The blood supply to hands was good, without a symptoms of coldness and fear of cold of hand. At the final follow-up review, sensation of flaps was assessed according to the criteria for sensory function of BMRC and the sensation of the flaps had recovered to S 2~S 3+. The appearance of flaps was good. Conclusion:Free flap with the anterior interosseous artery and accompanying veins as the recipient vessels in the treatment of forearm defects can achieve satisfactory clinical effect, however, further clinical studies are required.
