Objective:To investigate the application effects of self-made simple vacuum sealing drainage (VSD) device in the postoperative treatment of sural neurocutaneous flap transplantation in the foot and ankle.Methods:From January 2017 to January 2019, 36 patients with foot and ankle skin defects and bone exposure admitted to People′s Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region met the inclusion criteria, and a retrospective cohort study was conducted. According to the bandaging method of the operative area, simple negative pressure group and antibacterial dressing group were both allocated with 18 patients, with 12 males and 6 females in the former group, 14 males and 4 females in the latter group, aged (41.6±2.8) and (42.3±2.6) years, respectively. Patients in the two groups all received sural neurocutaneous flap transplantation. Patients in antibacterial dressing group received nano silver antibacterial dressing change in the operative area, and the dressing was changed once every 3 days. In simple negative pressure group, the operative area was sealed with a simple VSD device made of gauze, silicone sputum suction tube with holes cut out, and biological permeable membrane, etc., which was connected with the wall central negative pressure suction system for continuous VSD treatment of -40.0 to -16.6 kPa. The negative pressure material was changed once every 5 days. The number of dressing change, the pain score evaluated by Numeric Rating Scale during each dressing change, the cost of dressing change, and the degree of flap swelling evaluated on the 3rd and 5th day after surgery were recorded, and the flap survival was observed. Data were statistically analyzed with independent sample t test, Wilcoxon rank sum test, and chi-square test. Results:The number of dressing change of patients in simple negative pressure group was (3.4±0.5) times, which was significantly less than (7.0±0.8) times in antibacterial dressing group ( t=15.338, P<0.01). The pain score during dressing change of patients in simple negative pressure group was (4.3±0.8) points, which was significantly lower than (6.8±0.7) points in antibacterial dressing group ( t=10.168, P<0.01). The cost of dressing change of patients was similar between the two groups. On the 3rd and 5th day after surgery, the degrees of flap swelling of patients in simple negative pressure group were significantly superior to those in antibacterial dressing group ( Z=4.448, 2.395, P<0.05 or P<0.01). The flap survival of patients in simple negative pressure group was significantly superior to that in antibacterial dressing group ( χ2=4.500, P<0.05). Conclusions:Compared with the traditional dressing bandage, the self-made simple VSD device used after sural neurocutaneous flap transplantation can reduce the frequency of dressing change, relieve the pain of dressing change and the swelling of flap, and promote the flap survival, which is worth popularizing and applying in clinic.

Objective:To propose and verify a surgical classification system for the axial primary malignant and aggressive benign tumor.Methods:The CZH surgical classification system was originally developed for the axial primary malignant and aggressive benign tumor. The CZH surgical classification system includes seven types, according to the anatomic features and the extension of tumor violation. A total of 136 patients (79 males and 57 females) with axial primary malignant and aggressive benign tumor from multiple tertiary centers who received surgery from July 2006 to July 2019 were included. The average age was 44.40±17.55 years (8-83 years) old. There were 99 malignant tumors and 37 aggressive benign tumors included. The number of patients with each classification was presented as followed, Type I 13, Type II 15, Type IIIa 3, Type IIIb 20, Type IVa 43, Type IVb 12, Type Va 21, Type Vb 3, Type VI 2, Type VIIa 3 and Type VIIb 1. Surgical procedures were selected according to different types in classification. The inter- and intra-observer consistencies were evaluated by the Kendall's W test. The VAS, Frankel score, overall survival and recurrence free survival were recorded during the follow-up. Results:The inter- and intra-observer consistent coefficient was 0.973 and 0.996, respectively ( P<0.05). The single posterior approach was adopted for the Type II tumors. Other patients underwent surgery by the combined antero-posterior approach. The majority in anterior approach (113 cases) was the modified submandibular approach. The reconstruction modes included anterior "T" shape titanium mesh (112 cases) or the 3D printed prothesis (7 cases) combined with the posterior occipto-cervical fusion (92 cases) or the pedicle screw system (44 cases). The average surgical duration and the volume of intraoperative bleeding was 348.40±136.14 min (60-760 min) and 1 225.69±859.40 ml (80-4 000 ml), respectively. The operation duration and volume of intraoperative bleeding among each type were with statistical difference. The patients with Type IV, V tumors had longer operation duration than those with Type II tumors. Those with Type V and VII tumors had longer operation duration than those with Type I tumors. The patients with Type V tumors had more intraoperative bleeding than those with Type I-IV tumors. The average preoperative VAS score was 4.15±2.25 and then was reduced significantly to 0.62±0.71 and 0.38±0.59 at one and three months after operation, respectively. The Frankel score was also significantly ameliorated at one and three months postoperatively. There were 22 postoperative complications (16.2%). The complications included cerebral spinal fluid leak (12.5%), dysphagia and/or dysphonia (7.4%), dyspnea (5.1%), wound infection (3.7%), wound hemorrhage (2.2%) and pharyngeal dehiscence (1.5%). The incidence of postoperative complication was 25.9% in Type IV-VII tumors, while 11.8% in Type I-III tumors. Conclusion:CZH surgical classification system was verified with high observer consistency. This classification system could assist surgeons to select proper surgical approaches, resection modes and reconstruction modes, and thus ensure the safety of surgery and reduce the recurrence. The tumors in Type IV, V and VII may be with more challenging for surgeons. The incidence of postoperative complication in Type IV-VII tumors may be higher than that in Type I-III tumors.