Transfer of modified free gracilis myocutaneous flap in reconstruction of digit flexion function in forearm
10.3760/cma.j.cn441206-20240319-00078
- VernacularTitle:改良股薄肌肌皮瓣游离移植重建前臂屈指功能
- Author:
Xianjun HUANG
1
;
Lei JIANG
;
Jingjing BAO
;
Zhengdong GUO
;
Lin QIAO
Author Information
1. 浙江省荣军医院手足外科,浙江 嘉兴 314000
- Keywords:
Gracilis myocutaneous flap;
Transfer;
Forearm;
Function reconstruction;
Microsurgical technique
- From:
Chinese Journal of Microsurgery
2024;47(4):410-415
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To observe the surgical methods and clinical efficacy on reconstruction of digital flexion function using transfer of modified free gracilis myocutaneous flap.Methods:Between March 2014 and August 2022, 7 male patients, aged between 23 and 38 (average age 28) years old, were treated by reconstruction of forearm flexor function using modified free gracilis myocutaneous flap transfer to overcome the dysfunction in the Department of Hand and Foot Surgery, Zhejiang Rongjun Hospital. After the scar excision, the defects in forearm ranged from 15.0 cm × 4.5 cm to 28.0 cm × 6.5 cm, with flap excision areas of 17.0 cm × 5.5 cm to 30.0 cm × 8.0 cm. The nerve carried by the myocutaneous flap was anastomosed with the musculi branch of the median nerve, and the perforator artery and vein of the gracilis muscle were anastomosed with the brachial artery or the branch of ulnar artery and radial artery. Six patients had the flap donor sites directly closed primarily. A medium-thickness skin graft was taken from the ipsilateral groin area in 1 patient, to cover the remaining wound after the primary closure for wound reduction. Postoperative clinical efficacy was monitored through the follow-ups via visits of outpatient clinic, telephone calls or WeChat interviews.Results:After surgery, 1 patient experienced a vascular compromise of the flap, which was resolved after reanastomosis. One patient had a necrotic in distal flap about 2.0 cm×1.0 cm in size, which healed after dressing change. All other 5 flaps survived successfully. The postoperative follow-up ranged from 12 to 36 months, at 18 months in average. The flaps had good appearance and texture. Protective sensation recovered to varying degrees at 6 months after surgery. At 2 years after surgery, all of 7 patients showed significant improvement in hand and forearm appearance, along with restored finger flexion, grasping and partial hand function. According to the Evaluation Standard of Upper Limb Functional of Hand Surgery of Chinese Medical Association, flexion function recovered to excellent in 1 patient, good in 3 patients and fair in 3 patients. In the donor sites, there were only linear scars or mild pigmentation without significant loss of function.Conclusion:A modified free gracilis myocutaneous flap transfer is used to reconstruct digit flexion function. The procedure is safe and reliable, with a quick and relatively postoperative and satisfactory recovery in forearm flexion function, hence makes it an ideal surgical technique for reconstruction of digit flexion function.
