Objective:To explore the causes and preventive measures of early complications after free gracilis muscle transfer in reconstruction of brachial plexus injury, and to improve the postoperative function of the transferred gracilis muscle.Methods:Patients were recruited from August, 2005 to December, 2016. All 111 patients of brachial plexus injury underwent reconstructive surgery using 122 free gracilis flaps. Early postoperative complications, including recipient site, donor site and systemic complications, were closely observed and recorded. Outcome measurements included incidence and timing of flap compromise, type of flap compromise, causes of vascular occlusion and salvage rate. The postoperative strength of gracilis was evaluated according to the BMRC score. The data were statistically analyzed. The difference was statistically significant if P<0.05. Results:The survival rate of 122 free gracilis transfers was 98.4% (120/122). Early complications occurred in 32 cases (including 2 complications in 6 patients) : 27 cases with recipient site complications (84.4%), 4 with donor site complications and 7 with systemic complications. Among the 32 cases of complications, 17 flap compromises caused by vascular obstruction and 15 of them were salvaged completely after exploration. Flap crisis was the main issue that affected the postoperative function of gracilis muscle, and 58.8% (10/17) of patients with vascular crisis showed muscle strength above M 3 after surgery. The main causes of vascular crisis were venous tortuosity and venous thrombosis, which had nothing to do with operation time and intraoperative blood loss. Conclusion:Flap crisis is the main factor affecting the postoperative function of gracilis. The rate of flap salvage can be tremendously increased by early detection, re-exploration and effective management of the flap crisis.

Report a case sustained Gustilo type III C open fracture of the left humerus with brachial artery injury who has limb ischemia and wound infection after operation in June, 2014. To salvage the limb, performed cross limb vessel transfer to restore blood supply at one-stage. After multiple debridement, Flow-through flap transfer was performed for definitive reconstruction of the arterial injury and repair the wound in secondary stage. In the 3rd stage, cutting the pedicle of transposition vessels. Follow-up at 1 year after surgery, the patient's left upper limb had survived with limited movement and confirmed Flow-through the vessel reconstruction using CTA.