OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of free medial femoral condyle (MFC) functional chimeric perforator flap (FCPF) transplantation in reconstructing joint function by repairing concomitant osteochondral defects and soft tissue defect in hand and foot joints. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on 6 patients (5 males, 1 female; mean age of 33.4 years, range 21-56 years) with traumatic osteochondral joint defects and associated tendon, nerve, and soft tissue defects treated between January 2019 and November 2024. Defect locations included metacarpal heads (n=2), metacarpophalangeal joint (n=1), first metatarsal head (n=1), base of first proximal phalanx (n=1), and talar head (n=1), with soft tissue defects in all cases. Osteochondral defect sizes ranged from 1.5 cm×1.2 cm×0.7 cm to 4.0 cm×0.6 cm×0.6 cm, and skin defects ranged from 4 cm×3 cm to 13 cm×4 cm. The stage Ⅰ treatment included debridement, antibiotic-loaded bone cement filling of bone-cartilage defects, fracture internal fixation, and coverage with vacuum sealing drainage. Stage Ⅱ involved harvesting a free MFC- FCPF included an osteochondral flap (range of 1.5 cm×1.2 cm×0.7 cm to 4.0 cm×0.6 cm×0.6 cm), gracilis and/or semitendinosus tendon grafts (length of 4-13 cm), saphenous nerve graft (length of 3.5-4.0 cm), and a perforator skin flap (range of 6 cm×4 cm to 14 cm×6 cm), each with independent vascular supply. The flap was transplanted to reconstruct joint function. Donor sites were closed primarily or with skin grafting. Flap survival was monitored postoperatively. Radiographic assessment was used to evaluate bone/joint healing. At last follow-up, the joint function recovery was assessed. RESULTS: All 6 MFC-FCPF survived completely, with primary healing of wounds and donor sites. All patients were followed up 6-44 months (mean, 23.5 months). The flaps at metacarpophalangeal joint in 1 case and at ankle joint in 1 case were treated with degreasing repair because of their bulky appearance, while the other flaps had good appearance and texture. At 3 months after operation, the visual analogue scale (VAS) score for pain during joint movement of recipient site was 0-2, with an average of 0.7; at last follow-up, the VAS score of the donor site was 0-1, with an average of 0.3. According to the Paley fracture healing scoring system, the osteochondral healing of all the 6 patients was excellent. The range of motion of the metacarpophalangeal joint in 3 cases was 75%, 90%, and 100% of contralateral side respectively, the range of motion of the metatarsophalangeal joint in 2 cases was 65% and 95% of contralateral side respectively, and the range of motion of the ankle joint in 1 case was 90% of contralateral side. The hand function was evaluated as excellent in 2 cases and good in 1 case according to the upper limb function evaluation standard of the Chinese Medical Association Hand Surgery Society, and the foot function was evaluated as excellent in 2 cases and fair in 1 case according to the Maryland foot function score of 93, 91, and 69, respectively. The International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score of 6 knees was 91-99, with an average of 95.2. CONCLUSION The free MFC-FCPF enables precise anatomical joint reconstruction with three-dimensional restoration of tendon, nerve, capsule, and soft tissue defects, effectively restoring joint function and improving quality of life.
Humans ; Male ; Adult ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Plastic Surgery Procedures/methods* ; Soft Tissue Injuries/surgery* ; Perforator Flap/blood supply* ; Femur/surgery* ; Young Adult ; Foot Joints/injuries* ; Treatment Outcome

Abstract: Objective　The aim of this study was to observe the expression levels and clinical significance of peripheral blood interferon γ-inducible protein-10 (IP-10) and various cytokines in patients with different infection statuses of tuberculosis and to assess the efficacy of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in the progression to active tuberculosis (ATB). Methods　Seventy-six outpatient and inpatient cases from the Third People's Hospital of Kunming were collected and analyzed from March 2023 to February 2024. The patients were divided into three groups: ATB group (31 cases, 17 males, median age 33 years), LTBI group (27 cases, 17 males, median age 29 years), and healthy control (HC) group (18 cases, 11 males, median age 25 years). Peripheral blood samples from the three groups were taken and the expression levels of IP-10 and cytokines IL-6, IL-4, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, IL-2, and TNF-α were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods. The t-test was used for normally distributed samples, while the Mann-Whitney U test was used for skewed distributions. For comparisons between multiple groups, the Kruskal-Wallis H test was first employed, followed by Dunn's multiple comparison test for pairwise comparisons. Finally, the effectiveness of each cytokine in distinguishing different population groups was analyzed. Results　The expression levels of peripheral blood IP-10 were higher in the LTBI and ATB groups than in the HC group, but the area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) of the subjects showed moderate sensitivity (AUC:0.7-0.9) and low specificity (AUC:0.5-0.7). The IL-6 expression levels were in the order of high to low in the ATB group, LTBI group, and HC group, where the HC group was significantly lower than the ATB and LTBI groups (F=12.15, P<0.001). The sensitivity and specificity of the ATB group were higher than those in the HC group. Conclusions　IP-10 exhibits unique advantages in distinguishing different tuberculosis statuses. The predictive efficacy of a single cytokine is limited. Combining multiple cytokines such as IL-6 with clinical manifestations, a more accurate and comprehensive prediction model can be established.

Objective:To explore the clinical efficacy of Masquelet technique combined with tissue flap transfer in the treatment of infectious composite bone and soft tissue defects in the early and middle stages after internal fixation for tibial fractures.Methods:From October 2017 to November 2020, 12 patients (13 tibial fractures) with infectious bone and soft tissue defects in the early and middle stages after internal fixation were treated in the Department of Orthopaedics, 988th Hospital of the Joint Logistics Support Force of CPLA by two-phased surgery with retaining internal fixation. Phase I procedures were thoroughly removal of the infected lesions and failed screws, preserving internal implants as many as possible, implantation of absorbable calcium sulphate and an antibiotics blended string of beads into the distal and proximal medullary cavity of the fractured bones, filling the bone defect and wrapping the internal implants with antibiotics loaded bone cement. The size of defects was 3.5 cm × 5.0 cm-7.5 cm × 14.5 cm, and the flaps for wound coverage sized 4.0 cm × 5.5 cm-8.0 cm × 15.0 cm. As for the repair of donor site, 8 limbs were sutured directly, 5 limbs could not be closed completely, and the remaining wounds were covered by skin grafting after suture. Based on well control of infection and stable clinical signs, fillings of bone cement were then removed in Phase II surgery, or 6-9 weeks after primary surgery. Autologous cancellous bone pieces or composite allogeneic bone were fully implanted around the induction membrane formed by Masquelet technique, and auxiliary steel plates were implanted for internal fixation of unstable fractures. After discharge, the patients visited the outpatient clinic regularly, and combined with Wechat follow-up. The texture, colour and bone healing were observed. At the last follow-up, the function of the affected limbs were assessed according to Johner-Wruhs evaluation standard.Results:After Phase I surgery, 13 flaps survived smoothly without vascular compromise. The wounds healed in Phase I. Two patients (2 sides) had recurrent infections. Re-debridement was performed and external fixation was applied after removal of internal fixation. After Phase II surgery, all patients were included in 12-26 months of follow-up, with an average of 18 months. Thirteen lower leg fractures healed well, and the time of bone healing was 16-25 (average 19.5) weeks. The Johner Wruhs criteria was used in evaluation of the function of affected limbs, and it was found that 6 patients were in excellent, 5 in good and 2 in fair.Conclusion:It is feasible while preserving the internal implants, to use membrane induction technique (Masquelet technique) combined with flap transfer, together with the absorbable calcium sulphate antibiotic sustained-release beads as a carrier in the phased treatment of infectious bone defects and bone exposure in the early and middle stages after the surgery of tibial internal fixation. It also gives a higher rate of excellence in surgical outcome. This study explores a treatment procedure for traumatic bone infection combined with composite soft tissue defects.

Because the brain and kidneys share a common basis for small vessel lesions, the related research on cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is gradually increasing. The development of neuroimaging technology has significantly increased the detection rate of CMBs, but there is still controversy over whether CKD will increase the incidence of CMBs. This article reviews the relationship between CKD and CMBs, pathogenesis, biomarkers, and treatment.

Objective:To explore a surgical technique and treatment outcomes of the segmentle bridging reconstruction for severed fingers with single segmentle defect by using the free second toe bone-joint composite tissue combined with the great toe flap.Methods:From June 2010 to September 2017, 5 patients suffered from severed segmental defect of finger were treated. According to the defects of bone-joints, blood vessels, nerves, tendons and other soft tissues, the reconstruction surgery was designed to create a Flow-through bridging composite flap pedicled with the first dorsal metatarsal artery or the plantar artery. The blood vessles carried by the pedicle were anastomosed with the vessels in the finger to restore the blood supply to the distal finger while having the defected finger segment reconstructed. A Flow-through bridging composite flap was created by taking the second toe bone-joint composite tissue combined with a C-shaped or half-moon shaped flap from the fibular side of the great toe. Skin graft, retrograde lateral tarsal flap or free perforator flaps were used in 3 cases to repair the donor sites of the great and second toes. Iliac strip was implanted in 2 cases for toe salvage. Kirschner wires were removed 4-6 weeks after surgery followed by functional exercise.Results:All of the 5 reconstructed distal segments of the fingers survived with the healing of fractures in 8-12 week after surgery. The postoperative follow-up lasted 6-36 months and all the patients had the follow-ups at the outpatient clinic. It was found that the maximum flexion of the reconstructed interphalangel joint was 60 degrees together with dorsiflezion. According to the evaluation standard of the reconstructed function for thumb and finger issued by the Hand Surgery Society of the Chinese Medical Association, 3 fingers were in excellent and 2 in good. No obviouse affect on walking was found in all the patients.Conclusion:The free second toe joint composite tissue together with the great toe flap can be used to bridge the single segmental defect of a finger. It restores the blood supply to as well as the appearance of the distal finger, helps the recovery of the reconstructed distal finger. It is an ideal technique in the treatment of a severed distal segment of the finger.

In February, 2019, a patient with a defect of open dorsal cartilage and bone in the first metatarsal head, including the defects of soft tissue, tendon and joint capsule, was treated in our department. After multiple debridement, the vascularised medial femoral condyle osteochondral chimeric tissue flap was transferred to repair the composite tissue defect in the metatarsal head at the second stage. After 18 months of follow-up, the patient felt no pain in the foot and walking, and there was no sign of lameness and discomfort at donor sites. The postoperative functional recovery was satisfactory.

Objective:To investigate the correlation of fluid-attenuation inversion recovery (FLAIR) vascular hyperintensity (FVH) and clinical outcome in patients with middle cerebral artery M1 occlusive stroke.Methods:Patients with acute middle cerebral artery M1 occlusive stroke admitted to the Department of Neurology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from June 2018 to September 2019 were enrolled retrospectively. The demographic and clinical data were collected. Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI)-Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) and FVH score were performed with MRI images. The modified Rankin Scale (MRS) was used to evaluate the clinical outcome at 90 d after onset. 0-2 was defined as good outcome, and >2 was defined as poor outcome. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent correlation between FVH and the outcome. Results:A total of 65 patients with acute middle cerebral artery M1 occlusive stroke were enrolled, including 37 males (56.9%). Their age was 64.35±12.13 years. Twenty-nine patients (44.6%) had a good outcome, and 36 (55.4%) had a poor outcome. There were significant differences in triglyceride ( P=0.037), antihypertensive drug treatment ( P=0.037), baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score ( P<0.001), DWI-ASPECTS ( P=0.017) and FVH score ( P<0.001) between the poor outcome group and the good outcome group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that FVH score (odds ratio 6.477, 95% confidence interval 1.570-26.716; P=0.010) and NIHSS score (odds ratio 1.869, 95% confidence interval 1.326-2.635; P<0.001) were significantly independently correlated with the poor outcome. However, there was no significant independent correlation between DWI-ASPECTS and the outcome (odds ratio 0.451, 95% confidence interval 0.068-2.988; P=0.410). Conclusions:FVH score is an independent risk factor for poor outcome in patients with acute middle cerebral artery M1 occlusive stroke.

Objective:To investigate the surgical method and clinical effect of free medial plantar flap (MPF) combined with anterolateral thigh flap (ALTF) in repair of large soft tissue defect in the weight bearing area of sole.Methods:From April, 2017 to August, 2019, 8 patients with large soft tissue defects in plantar weight bearing area were repaired by free MPF combined with ALTF. Four patients had the defects located in the hindfoot and the surrounding area, 3 in the forefoot and 1 in the whole foot. A tandem flap made of free MPF combined with ALTF was used to repair the heel in 5 patients and repair the plantar forefoot in 3 patients. The size of defects ranged from 15.0 cm×10.0 cm to 26.0 cm×22.0 cm. The size of the MPF ranged from 6.0 cm×5.0 cm to 8.0 cm×6.5 cm. The donor sites repaired with full thickness skin graft. The size of ALTF ranged from 15.0 cm×7.0 cm to 27.0 cm×11.0 cm. Two donor sites were sutured directly, and the other 6 were repaired by full-thickness abdominal skin graft. The patients entered follow-up at outpatient clinic and via WeChat for 9 to 18 months.Results:All the 8 tandem flaps and the donor grafts survived. Only 1 ALTF had a distal necrosis and healed after change of dressing. All the flaps had good elasticity and good texture. All the recipient area of MPF achieved sensation recovery of pain and touch. But the ALTF only partially recovered tactile sensation. The weight-bearing and walking function were good. At the last follow-up, all patients were evaluated by Maryland foot score, of which 4 patients were excellent, 3 were good, and 1 was fair.Conclusion:The free MPF combined with ALTF is one of the ideal methods for the repair of plantar soft tissue defect in the weight bearing area of sole. It can better restore the foot weight-bearing and walking function with good clinical effect.

Objective:To investigate the surgical method and clinical effect of repairing the forefoot soft tissue defect by the retrograded lateral tarsal artery perforator flap pedicled with the anterior branch.Methods:From March, 2015 to October, 2018, 9 patients with soft tissue defects in forefoot were repaired by the retrograded lateral tarsal artery perforator flap pedicled with anterior branch. One patient received an emergency repair and 8 received secondary repair. The wounds were all located in the forefoot. Area of defects were 3.0 cm×2.0 cm-5.0 cm×4.0 cm; flap areas were 3.5 cm×3.0 cm-6.0 cm×4.5 cm. The donor sites of flap were repaired with full thickness skin graft. All patients received postoperative followed-up through the visits of outpatient clinics, WeChat or telephone reviews.Results:Eight flaps survived successfully and the wounds healed by first intention; One flap had venous crisis 2 days after surgery and after having removed stitches of the pedicle of flap, only distal skin necrosis occurred. And healed after changing treatment. All the skin graft in donor sites of flaps survived well. All patients were entered 3 to 18 months postoperative follow-up. The shape of flaps had good textures and were not bloated. The sensation of flaps partially recovered. In the last followed-up, 8 flaps were assessed by the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) middle foot scoring standard. The results were excellent in 5 cases, good in 2 cases and poor in 1 case, with the good and excellent rate of 87.5%.Conclusion:The retrograde lateral tarsal artery perforator flap pedicled with the anterior branch is one of the effective methods to repair the soft tissue defect in forefoot without damaging the main trunk of dorsal pedal artery. It features a reliable blood supply to the flap and a relatively simple surgical procedure.

Objective:To reconstruct and repair forearm and foot injuries with soft tissue defect using medial sural artery perforator flap (MSAP), and to evaluate the curative effects.Method:From May, 2015 to September, 2017, 13 patients (9 males and 4 females) with soft tissue defect on forearm and foot underwent MSAP reconstruction operations. The age was ranged from 19 to 57 (mean 41) years. Six wounds located in forearms and 7 in foot. Ipsilater- al shank was used as donor for the repair of foot. The donor sites were directly sutured. The area of flaps was ranged from 3.0 cm×4.0 cm-7.0 cm×15.0 cm. All cases were followed-up for flap appearance, sensation and donor healing by visit of clinic and WeChat reviews.Results:All 13 flaps survived well without any vascular crisis nor necrosis. Postoperative superficial infections were found in 3 cases, and the wound healed gradually after daily dress changing and anti-infection treatment. Eleven patients were followed-up for 4 to 18 months (average 12 months). Two provincial patients lost to follow-up. No obvious disfunction was found from the donor shanks. The appearance and texture of flaps were in excellent condition and satisfactory. The sensation of 7 flaps was recovered to S 2-S 3. TPD was 6-9 mm. Conclusion:The free MSAP is rational therapeutic strategy for repairing the soft tissue defect of forearm and foot. It has advantages of long vascular pedicle, constant perforation and relatively thin subcutaneous fat.