Perforator flaps became popular in past 30 years due to the minimum donor site morbidity and good aesthetically contour. Limitations are found in the use of traditional perforator flap, such as limited surface area, unsuitable for repairing super-long wounds, extensive wound and wounds accompanying with dead space, etc. Special form of perforator flap is derived from the perforator flap. It overcomes the shortcomings of traditional perforator flaps, such as less donor-site morbidity, thinner flap, better patient satisfaction and without severe complications in the recipient area. In addition it further improves the clinical curative effect and enhances the value and the applications of perforator flaps. In this article, the historical development and evolution of special form perforator flaps are reviewed, and the clinical applications of the special form perforator flap in recent years are summarised, for the purpose to promote the application and development of special form perforator flap in the reconstruction of complex soft tissue defects.

Objective To explore the method of sensory reconstruction after the operation of reversed island pedicled sural flap and evaluate its therapeutic effect of clinical application. Methods Thirteen clinical cases with traumatic soft tissue defects in heel had recepted the treatment of reversed island pedicled sural flap. All flaps were innervated by anastomosing the distal end of the sural nerve in the flaps and the recipient nerve (superficial peroneal nerve) in end to end or end to side. All patients were evaluated at 9-15 months on the postoperative follow-up parameters, including flap contour, flap stability, locomotor activity,touch sensation, pain sensation, static two-point discrimination, thermal sensibility, and the skin sensory recovery level in lateral dorsutn of foot. Results Thirteen cases flaps had good blood supply and primary healing. All cases were followed up 9-15 months, the rate of good sensory recovery was 53.85%. All pa tients had protective sensory in lateral dorsum of foot, the rate of good sensory recovery was 61.54%. Conclusion Anastomosing the proximal end of sural nerve and superficial peroneal nerve together will be good for the sensory recovery in flap and lateral foot in repairing soft tissue defects in heel with reversed island pedicled sural flap.

Objective To provide guidance for reconstructing the sensation of the anterolateral thigh flap (ALTF) used to repair extensive soft tissue defects in heel. Methods Choose 7 adult male corpses, take the nerval samples respectively from the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN) 5cm below the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) and the initial segment of the medial caleaneal nerve (MCN) and the lateral calcaneal nerve (LCN), fixed, dewatered gradiendy, embedded, located, and made them into semithin sections, dyed with toluidine blue. The pictures were taken by a medicine figure imaging analysis system named MOTICMED 6.0, observe the nerves's sectional morphous, the quantity and distribution of their nerve fiber bundles, count the quantity of nerve fibers and determine the density of them. Use Photoshop 7.0 version precinct software for measuring and calculating the area of the nerve fiber bundles and the Photoshop grid function was used to measure the density of the nerve fibers. Results In our cross-section study, the median number of nerve bunches in LFCN, MCN and LCN1, was 4, 3 and 4, respectively. The median number of nerve fibers' area was 114.8 um2, 126.92 um2 and 102.76um2, respectively. The median number of nerve fibers' density was 11.43/um2, 6.47/um2 and 10.08/um2, respectively. The median number of nerve fibers was 987, 862 and 570, respectively. Conclusion The MCN and the LCN1 are ideal cutaneous nerves to suture with LFCN in the ALTF used to repair widespread soft tissue defects in heel because they have similar histomorphological characteristics with the LFCN.

Objective: To investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of the superior lateral genicular artery perforator flap for repairing of soft tissue defects in extremities. Methods: Between September 2010 and October 2017, 11 cases of skin and soft tissue in extremities were repaired with the superior lateral genicular artery perforator flap. There were 10 males and 1 female, with an average age of 37.6 years (range, 6-72 years). The causes of injury were traffic accident in 6 cases, machine injury in 1 case, falling down injury in 1 case, falling from height in 1 case, crushing injury in 1 case, and electric injury in 1 case. The defects located at the forearm in 1 case, knee in 5 cases, popliteal fossa in 2 cases, shank in 1 case, and foot and ankle in 2 cases. The area of the wound ranged from 8.0 cm×4.5 cm to 27.0 cm×8.0 cm. The interval from injury to admission was 6 days on average (range, 3-12 days). The area of perforator flap ranged from 9.0 cm×5.5 cm to 28.0 cm×9.0 cm. There were 8 cases of pedicle flap and 3 cases of free flap. All the donor sites were closed directly. Results: Eight flaps survived without any complications and the donor sites healed by first intention. Two flaps had arterial crisis and 1 flap had venous crisis after operation, and the wounds healed after symptomatic treatment. There was no hematoma and secondary infections in all patients after operation. Ten patients were followed up 2-48 months (mean, 13.1 months). All flaps had satisfied appearance and texture. There was no motion limitations in the hip and knee joints of the operated legs. Conclusion: The superior lateral genicular artery perforator flap not only can be used to repair the soft tissue defect around the knee joint as pedicle flap, but also can be used to repair the forearm and foot skin and soft tissue defects as free flap, which is a feasible way to repair soft tissue defects in extremities.

Objective: To investigate the feasibility and efficacy of the Flow-through chimeric anterolateral thigh perforator (ALTP) flap for one-stage repair and revascularization in complex defects of the extremities. Methods: Between May 2014 and June 2017, 6 patients with soft tissue defects on the limbs combined with dead space, bone defects, or tendon and joint exposure, were reconstructed with the Flow-through chimeric ALTP flap. All 6 patients were male. The patients' mean age was 44 years (range, 26-60 years). The mechanisms of injury were traffic accidents in 4 cases, wringer injury in 1 case, and bruise injury caused by heavy object in 1 case. The defects located at the lower extremity in 5 cases and at the upper extremity in 1 case. The area of the wound ranged from 7 cm×4 cm to 26 cm×10 cm. There were 3 cases of bone defect, 3 cases of joint and tendon exposure, 2 cases of chronic osteomyelitis, and 2 cases of main artery injury. The muscle flap was inserted into the deep dead space, with perforator flap for superficial defect. The area of perforator flap ranged from 10 cm×5 cm to 28 cm×11 cm and the area of muscle flap ranged from 5 cm×2 cm to 20 cm×5 cm. The defects on the donor sites were closed directly. Results: All the flaps were survival without infection and vascular crisis. The wounds of recipient and donor sites healed at first intention. The patients were followed up 3- 24 months (mean, 10 months). Good color and texture of flaps was achieved. The reconstructed main artery patency was achieved and the end of the affected limb was well transported. Only linear scar left on the donor site on thigh with no malfunction. Conclusion: The Flow-through chimeric ALTP flap can construct three-dimensional soft tissue defects without sacrificing the recipient vessels. The Flow-through chimeric ALTP flap is an reliable and ideal method for reconstruction of complex wounds in the limbs with dead space and with or without recipient major vessels injury.

s pedicel.

Objective To investigate the feasibility and the preliminary curative effect of the deep inferior epigagtrie perforator(DIEP)flap for child's foot and malleolus reconstruction.Methods A series of 5 child patients were treated with DIEP flap from August to December in 2007.All of them had foot and malleolus defects secondary to traumatic injuries and significant exposure of the tendons and skeleton.The maximum defect Wag 17 cm×6 em in size,the minimum defect Was 11 cm x 6 cm in size.In 2 eases,suture the inferior epigastric artery(vein)to the anterior tibial artery(vein).In 1 case,suture the inferior epigagtric artery(vein)to the dorsal artery (vein)of foot.In 2 cases,suture the inferior epigastric artery (vein)to the posterior tibial artery(vein).The minimum flap in size was 12 cm×7 cm.The maximum flap in size was 18 cm×7 cm.The donor site of the DIEP flaps Wag always closed primarily.Results Donorsite and receptor-site weIe primary healing in all patients.The mean follow-up was 3 months(range from 1to 5 months),all flaps survived with excellent color and quality,and no extremely fat contour.In 4 cases,a protective sensation Wag regained.The patient has obtained the good function of foot and malleohs.The abdomen contour resumes satisfaction, and the abdominal wall competency is preserved. Conclusion Abdominal wall competency is preserved because no muscle or fascia is included.DIEP flap is so thin that not required second-stage operation for debulking.In brief,it is believed that the DIEP flap is an ideal technique for foot and malleolus reconstruction of child patients, which meets the new concept of mieresurgery.

ObjectiveTo probe the feasibility and therapeutic effect of the lateral thigh perforator flap for repairing soft tissue defects in extremity limbs.MethodsDissected six fresh Chinese adult lower limbs specimens which were injected with red latex via arterial cannula. Obseved the number, distribution,course, category of the flaps'perforators and measured their length of pedicle, external diameter on the specimens.Combinafing the results of the anatomy study,thirteen lateral thigh perforator flaps,whose size were 3.0 cm × 3.0 cm - 19.0 cm× 8.0 cm, were applyied to repair different defect, in which 1 was pedieled flap and 12 were free flaps.Two of them applied vessel anastomosis in series with anterlateral thigh perforator flap. The axis was from the fibulae capitulum to greater trochanter of femur.ResultsAll 13 flaps surived com-pletely.In 3-6 months follow-up,all flaps were with thin and good appearance,and they were characterized by soft texture and good colour.No chimatlon and ulcer appeared in any flap.There were no effect of motor function in donor site because of muscle conglutination and scar contracture. There were plainness figure in donor site where skin- grafing was used, and only linearity scar remained where sewed directly.ConclusionThe lateral thigh flap had provided with thin and pleasing appearance, soft texture and minor morbidity in donor site and correspondingly easy dissection. It was feasiblely to repair middling to little skin and soft tissue defect in extremity limbs as a free flap, and to repair skin and soft tissue defect in knee and popliteal space as a pedicel flap.It could apply vessel anastomosis in series with anterlateral thigh perforator flap for repairing large defect.

Objective To explore new methods of innervating the anterolateral thigh flap(ALTF) for repairing widespreadly traumatic soft tissue defects in heel and report their initial results of clinical application. Methods Twenty-five consecutive ALTFs were transplanted in 25 patients for repairing widespreadly traumatic soft tissue defects in heel from October 2005 to October 2010. Three ways were used in this series for sensory reconstruction of ALTFs,which based on the primary researches of the anatomic and histomorphological characteristics of lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN),medial calcaneal nerve (MCN) and lateral calcaneal nerve (LCN). The first way which was of suture between reshaped LFCN and MCN or LCN was used in 16 cases, the second way which was of perineurial suture combined with epineurial suture was used in 6 cases,and the small-gap-suture way was used in the remaining cases.The section of LFCN 5-7 cm below the anterior superior iliae spine and the initial segment of MCN or LCN were selected as anastomotic position. Postoperative follow-up parameters include pain sensation, touch sensation, thermal sensibility and static two-point discrimination. Results All flaps survived,and the wounds were primary intention.Twentyfive cases followed up 9-36 months (18 months on average).All flaps restored protective sensation,and the rate of good sensory recovery was 60％. All patients restored weighing and walking, and no ulceration happened. Conclusion Satisfactory sensory function restoration can be obtained by paying attention to the distribution and variety of LFCNs, selecting suitable cutaneous nerves and rational coaptated position as well as suitable suturation means which based on the anatomic and histomorphologieal characteristics of LFCN,MCN and LCN when repairing widespread soft tissue defects in heel.

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