Application and curative effect of a modified procedure on flap bridging in treatment of traumatic calf ulcers
10.3760/cma.j.cn441206-20240507-00115
- VernacularTitle:改良皮瓣桥术式在创伤性小腿溃疡治疗中的应用及疗效观察
- Author:
Mousheng ZANG
1
;
Zili LIU
;
Bingyong YAN
;
Jianli WANG
Author Information
1. 合肥市第二人民医院骨科，合肥 230011
- Keywords:
Calf ulcer;
Flap transfer;
Great saphenous vein;
Flap bridge;
Modification
- From:
Chinese Journal of Microsurgery
2024;47(5):549-554
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To explore a modified flap bridging procedure in primary free flap transfer to reconstruct defects in calf and with secondary reconstruction of the great saphenous vein of the calf according to the diagnoses of 3 types of traumatic calf ulcers, and to observe the clinical effect.Methods:A research on evidence-based medicine was applied from April 2010 to June 2023 in the Department of Orthopaedics of the Second People's Hospital of Hefei on 25 patients with calf traumatic ulcers. The traumatic calf ulcers were classified into 3 types: Type I, a defect type (5 patients), Type II, a scar type (8 patients), and Type Ⅲ, a osteomyelitis type (12 patients). The age of patients ranged from 22 to 67 years old, with an average of 44 years old. The course of calf traumatic ulcers from 3 months to 36 years, with 17 in left calf and 8 in the right. The preoperative Lower Extremity Function Scale (LEFS) was 37.07 points±18.92 points. The modified flap bridge surgery was planned in 2 stages. The first stage surgery was simultaneously performed by 2 surgical teams, with surgical team 1 carried out ulcer debridement and preparation for a flap bridging surgery. According to the 3 types of diagnosis, the infected and unhealthy tissues were completely removed by individualised debridement, the sizes of defect were 5 cm×11 cm-14 cm×27 cm. Medial flaps were dissected to prepare a flap bridging (including great saphenous vein) with the proximal calf of the healthy side as the rotation point. Both lower legs were then fixed together. For an unhealed Type I or III fracture, the tibial fracture was reduced and fixed with an external fixator and then fixed with the contralateral tibia. For a healed Type II or III fracture, both calcaneus were fixed together with a Steinmann pin in obliquely penetration. The surgical team 2 carried out the task of harvest of a free flap. The flap with both adjustable design and anatomy was selected. The flap donor sites with a larger area and dominant vein were the best: anterolateral thigh flap (13 patients), thoracoumbilical flap (9 patients) and lateral thoracic flap (3 patients). The sizes of the transferred flaps were of 6 cm×12 cm-15 cm×28 cm. Eighteen patients had direct suture of donor sites and 7 were reconstructed with medium-thick skin grafts. The 2 teams then worked together: to cover the defect with the flap, anastomose the artery carried by flap with the posterior tibial artery of the bridge, flap dominant vein with the great saphenous vein of the bridge and flap, and non-dominant vein with the dominant posterior tibial vein of the bridge respectively, and then suture the wounds. Stage II surgery: it was carried out at 5-6 weeks later. In which, pedicle of the flap bridge was disconnected, and the great saphenous vein (including 3-4 venous valves) with a ≥10 cm in length, was dissected to the proximal end of the flap bridge. The end of it was anastomosed with the great saphenous vein proximal to the end of the affected limb. The flap bridge and the vascular bundle behind the tibia were restored and replanted. Postoperative wound management and follow-up were carried out and LEFS were collected.Results:All 25 patients were included in the postoperative follow-up for 6-18 (average 10.5) months. CDU showed that the reconstructed great saphenous veins were unobstructed. All the ulcers were cured and the appearances of the calfs were satisfactory with good texture, and without recurrence of ulcers. There was a linear scar in donor sites and without scar formation at the sites of skin graft and skin extraction. The last LEFS was 67.32 points±8.43 points. All patients returned to normal life and work.Conclusion:Classification of traumatic calf ulcer into 3 types has a theoretical basis in selection and modification of flap bridging surgery. The surgery has characteristics of individuation and modularisation, it not only benefits the reconstruction of ulcerative defect, but also prevents the recurrence of ulcer. It is a safe and effective surgical procedure with clinical proof.
