OBJECTIVETo explore the feasibility and the effect of free chimeric perforator flap with deep inferior epigastric artery for the soft tissue defect on the lower extremity with deep dead space.

METHODSFrom Mar. 2010 to Aug. 2011, 8 patients with soft tissue defects on the lower extremities combined with dead space, bone or joint exposure were reconstructed with free hinged perforator flaps with deep inferior epigastric artery. The muscle flap was inserted into the deep dead space, with perforator flap for superficial defect. The defects on the donor sites were closed directly.

RESULTSAll the flaps survived with primary healing. Good color and texture was achieved. The patients were followed up for 12-24 months, with an average of 16 months. 2 over-thick flaps were treated by flap-thinning surgery. Only linear scar was left on the donor site on abdomen with no malfunction.

CONCLUSIONSThe free chimeric perforator flap with deep inferior epigastric artery can simultaneously construct the dead space and superficial defect with only anastomosis of one set of vascular pedicle. It is an ideal method with good results on recipientsites and less morbidity on donor sites.

Cicatrix ; Epigastric Arteries ; transplantation ; Feasibility Studies ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Leg Injuries ; surgery ; Lower Extremity ; Perforator Flap ; transplantation ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; surgery ; Time Factors ; Wound Healing

Objective To investigate the clinical results,indications and precautions of a variety of special forms of the perforator flap for reconstructing limb soft-tissue defect.Methods From January 2008 to December 2013,480 cases suffering from limb soft-tissue defect were treated with special forms of the perforator flap.Types of special forms of the perforator flap included flow-through perforator flaps,micro-dissected perforator flaps,conjointed perforator flaps,polyfoliate perforator flaps and chimeric perforator flaps.Derivative types combined two or three technologies used in basic types.Results Venous crisis of the flap was shown in 10 cases.Through a second surgical exploration,5 cases were diagnosed with anastomotic thrombosis,2 with vascular torsion and 3 with hematoma.After appropriate treatments,flaps survived in 4 cases,but partial necrosis occurred in 6 cases.Twelve cases were found to have infection,which led to arterial crisis followed by total flap necrosis in one of them at postoperative day 5.Other flaps survived and wounds healed by first intention.Donor sites were repaired by skin flap transfer in 8 cases,skin grafting in 3 cases and direct suture in the rest cases.Conclusion Special forms of the perforator flap are optimal for repair of soft-tissue defect of extremities.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between 21-gene recurrence risk score (21-Gene RS) and the prognosis and clinicopathological features of hormone receptor (HR) positive, HER2-negative early breast cancer patients who did not receive neoadjuvant therapy.Methods:A total of 469 patients with HR positive and HER2-negative early breast cancer who received surgical treatment in the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine from January 2014 to October 2017 were selected. Their clinicopathological data were retrospectively analyzed. Tumor tissue samples were collected from patients, and the expression of 21-gene was detected by reverse transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The 21-Gene RS was calculated according to the Trial Assigning Individualized Options for Treatment (TAILORx) RS grouping and National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project B-20 (NSABP B-20) RS grouping principles. Patients were divided into low (21-Gene RS<11 or 21-Gene RS<18), intermediate (11≤21-Gene RS<26 or 18≤21-Gene RS<31) and high (21-Gene RS≥26 or 21-Gene RS≥31) risk groups, and the clinicopathological features and prognostic differences of patients in different risk groups were compared. Statistical data were compared by chi-square test. Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier curve analysis and the differences between groups were compared using Log-rank test. Multivariate analysis was conducted by COX regression analysis.Results:Based on TAILORx RS grouping, the proportions of low-risk, intermediate-risk and high-risk groups among the 469 patients were 18.8% (88/469), 48.2% (226/469) and 33.0% (155/469), respectively. Based on NSABP B-20 RS grouping, the proportion of low-risk, intermediate-risk and high-risk groups were 43.1% (202/469), 37.5% (176/469) and 19.4% (91/469), respectively. The association of 21-Gene RS with histological grading, luminal typing, Ki-67 expression, and chemotherapy and treatment modalities were statistically significant ( P<0.05) regardless of TAILORx RS grouping or NSABP B-20 RS grouping. Kaplan-Meier survival curve suggested poor prognosis in high-risk group ( P<0.05, Log-rank test). Multivariate COX regression analysis showed that surgical method and 21-Gene RS were risk factors affecting the prognosis of patients. Conclusions:21-Gene RS is significantly associated with the prognosis of patients with HR-positive, HER2-negative, early-stage breast cancer not receiving neoadjuvant therapy, as well as with their clinicopathological characteristics such as patients′ histologic grade, luminal typing, Ki-67 expression, and whether or not they are treated with chemotherapy or other treatment modalities.The 21-Gene RS threshold of 11 and 26 or 18 and 31 can be used to grade the prognosis in Chinese patients with early-stage breast cancer. More researches are needed to guide the selection of postoperative adjuvant therapy for patients with HR-positive and HER2-negative early-stage breast cancer.

Objective:To explore the feasibility for reconstruction of soft tissue defects in limbs and trunk with perforator pedicled kite flap, and to summarise its clinical efficacy.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted on 14 patients with soft tissue defects and admitted to the Department of Hand Microsurgery of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University from January 2016 to September 2023. Among the 14 patients (6 males and 8 females), 7 had defects in calf, 2 in sacrococcygeal area, 2 in the back and 3 in forearm. All of the defects were reconstructed with the perforator pedicled kite flaps, of which 6 flaps had the pedicles of single perforator, 3 of 2 perforators, 4 of 3 perforators and 1 of 5 perforators. Single V-Y advancement flaps were used for defect reconstruction in 8 patients, and double V-Y advancement flaps were used in 6 patients. The size of the defects ranged from 2.2 cm×1.8 cm to 8.0 cm×16.0 cm, and the size of the flaps ranged from 3.0 cm×5.5 cm to 9.0 cm×23.0 cm. All donor sites were closed directly. Postoperative follow-up was conducted at outpatient clinic, by telephone reviews and WeChat after surgery, to observe the flap survival and postoperative complications.Results:All flaps survived completely. All the flaps and donor sites healed primarily. The postoperative follow-up lasted for 3 to 36 (mean, 14.5) months. Thirteen flaps presented with soft texture, good appearance, with similar texture to the surrounding skin and without obvious swelling. The patients were satisfied with the aesthetic outcomes. One patient had a local ulcer with exudation at the recipient site and the ulcer healed after removal of the steel plate and thoroughly debridement.Conclusion:With a perforator pedicled kite flap, vascular anastomosis or sacrifice of a second donor site can be avoided. A perforator pedicled kite flap can be applied to many recipient sites, with a simple surgical procedure and a good postoperative appearance. It is an ideal flap for reconstruction of small to medium-sized soft tissue defects in trunk and limbs. More studies are required to evaluate the feasibility of the flap to be applied in local hospitals.