1.Blood supply patterns and clinical application of the bilobate anterolateral thigh perforator flap
Zhijin LIU ; Jihui JU ; Shengzhe LIU ; Rong ZHOU ; Guodong JIANG ; Lei LI
Chinese Journal of Orthopaedics 2021;41(4):211-218
Objective:To investigate the blood supply pattern and characteristics of bilobate anterolateral thigh flaps, and to summarize the clinical experience.Methods:Date of 102 cases of limb wounds repaired by bilateral anterolateral thigh perforator flaps from March 2014 to July 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 80 males and 22 females with an average age of 40.7 years (range, 9-66 years). All of the patients suffered from limb trauma with complex tissue defects, among which 29 cases had two adjacent and discontinuous wound surfaces on the same limb, and the area ranged from 5 cm×5 cm to 30 cm×18 cm, while the other 73 cases remained a single wound with the area ranged from 12 cm×11 cm to 27 cm×15 cm. Ultrasonic Doppler was used to locate the perforating branches. According to different patterns of blood supply, flaps of different types were designed and applied respectively. For those who with perforating branches of common trunk type or fascial type, the wound surface can be covered by the flap directly; for those who with perforating branches of double trunks type or mixed type, the turbocharging technique was performed after dissection of the pedicles of the flap, while the wound was repaired by reconnection. All the donor sites were sutured directly.Results:Total of 105 bilobed flaps were designed in 102 patients, including 43 flaps of common trunk type, 30 flaps of double trunks type, 24 flaps of fascial type and 8 flaps of mixed type. The single harvested flap area ranged from 6 cm×5 cm to 20 cm×9 cm. One patient's one piece of the bilobed flap repairing two wounds suffered an arterial crisis at 17 h after surgery. The surgery confirmed there was an intractable arterial spasm and the crisis was relieved after a vein trans-plantation. Then about 4 cm×3 cm superficial necrosis appeared in the most distal part of the flap and healed in secondary after dressing changes. Two cases with single wounds suffered from a vein crisis at 48 h after operation. After removing the suture and blood letting, the flaps survived a week later. The average healing time was 19 days (range, 8-83 days). All the thigh donor sites healed by first stage. All the cases were followed-up for an average period of 16 month (range, 6-70 months). The latest follow-up showed that the flaps were of good color and texture, and the sensation of the flaps recovered partially. According to the British Medical Research Council sensory rating scale: 21 cases were grade S2 and 81 cases were grade S3. According to the revascularization assessments of digital replantation standard by Hand Surgery Branch of Chinese Medical Association, the results were excellent in 91 cases, good in 11 cases, with excellent and good rate of 100%. Linear scars were left in most donor sites and the VAS scores were all zero. 5 cases had a large scar area which the width was more than 3 cm, but there was no scar contracture or pain. 9 cases had an abnormal sensation in the donor area in the early stage and recovered gradually 3 months later without any movement disorder.Conclusion:The use of the bilobed anterolateral femoral perforator flap with different blood supply patterns to repair the wounds of extremities could overcome the lack or deficiency of blood supply caused by perforators with different sources. To clarify the blood supply types is conducive to the flap cutting and leaf splitting during the operation, which greatly improves the survival rate of the flap.
2.Bilobed anterolateral thigh perforator flap pidicled with the oblique branch of lateral circumflex femoral artery in repair of the wound in extremity
Zhijin LIU ; Jihui JU ; Junnan CHENG ; Lin YANG ; Shengzhe LIU ; Tao ZHANG ; Ruixing HOU
Chinese Journal of Microsurgery 2021;44(2):152-156
Objective:To investigate the feasibility and clinical efficacy of the bilobed anterolateral femoral perforator flap pidicled with the oblique branch of lateral femoral circumflex artery in repair of the wounds in extremities.Methods:A study was conducted on 36 patients with complex limb wounds from December, 2014 to May, 2020. Thirty patients had single-wound sized from 10.0 cm×10.0 cm to 23.0 cm×17.0 cm, and 6 patients had 2 adjacent and discontinuous wounds sized from 4.0 cm×5.0 cm to 11.0 cm×9.0 cm. A total of 78 perforators were identified in routine preoperative CDU examination, and 67 perforators were confirmed. According to the actual requirement of the perforator confirmed in surgery, 19 flaps were designed with completely split up into bilobed flaps and 17 bilobed fascial flaps were designed with segmented skin and deep fascia. The blood supply of flaps relies on the anastomosis of oblique branch with the recipient vessels, therefore bridged blood Flow-through anastomosis was performed in 8 flaps. All thigh donor sites were sutured directly. Regular follow-up were made after surgery.Results:In this group, 35 cases of bilobed flaps survived successfully. Venous crisis was found in 1 case of flap repairing 2 wounds after the operation and was relieved 7 days later by remove some stitches and bloodletting. The donor sites healed by first intension, and the wound healing time was 11-83 days. All patients were followed-up for 6-39 months. The flaps had good colour and texture with S 2-S 3 sensory. All the donor sites left linear scars except 1 where left with a large scar without contracture and pain. Conclusion:The repair of the wounds in extremities by bilobed anterolateral thigh perforator flaps pedicled with the oblique branch of the lateral femoral circumflex artery could obtain a more concealed donor site. It acts as a beneficial supplement when a bilobed flap cannot be harvested on the descending branch of the lateral femoral circumflex artery.
3.Long term follow-up of a degloving injury of distal thumb repaired with a combined wrap-around flap of hallux nail flap and tibial flap of the second toe: A case report
Shengzhe LIU ; Jihui JU ; Zhijin LIU ; Xiangnan ZHANG ; Junnan CHENG ; Ruixing HOU
Chinese Journal of Microsurgery 2021;44(2):234-236
Degloving injury of distal thumb is common in hand surgery. Generally, the degloving tissue is severely damaged without conditions for replantation. It is often treated by methods of stump revision, local flap coverage, free second toe reconstruction, and so on. It inevitably leads to a shortening of distal phalanx, sacrifice of the whole toe and poor appearance after repair. The hallux nail flap is considered to be the best to treat this kind of injury. However, the traditional wrap-around flap excises the toe in a large range and has many complications in the donor site. In April, 2010, a case of degloving injury of the distal thumb was repaired with a combined wrap-around flap of the hallux nail flap and the tibial flap of the second toe. The patient was followed-up for 10 years in our hospital. Both of the appearance and function of the patient's thumb are well recovered.
4.Clinical application of bilobed anterolateral thigh flaps with turbocharging technique in repairing limb wounds
Zhijin LIU ; Jihui JU ; Shengzhe LIU ; Rong ZHOU ; Guodong JIANG
Chinese Journal of Trauma 2020;36(10):920-925
Objective:To explore the clinical effect of bilobate anterolateral thigh flaps with turbocharging technique in repairing limb wounds.Methods:A retrospective case series study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 29 patients with complex wounds of limbs admitted to Ruihua Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University from March 2014 to July 2019. There were 26 males and 3 females, aged 22-60 years [(41.9±11.1)years]. A total of 24 patients had single-wounds with the dimension of 12 cm×10 cm to 38 cm×27 cm, and 5 patients had two adjacent and discontinuous wounds with the area from 7 cm×4 cm to 13 cm×9 cm. The bilobate anterolateral thigh flaps with turbocharging technique were used. All the donor sites were directly sutured by primary closure. Routine treatment was given after operation. The origin artery of perforators, time of flap harvesting and operation time were recorded. The survival of the flap, healing of the donor area, long-term shape of the flap and donor area, sensory recovery and complications were observed.Results:All patients were followed up for 6-64 months [(19.0±12.7)months]. A total of 30 bilobed flaps were designed for the 29 patients. The time of flap harvesting ranged from 25 to 60 minutes [(46.6±20.2)minutes]. The operation time was 4-11 hours [(6.4±1.8)hours]. All flaps survived except one piece of a bilobed flap suffered from a vein crisis, which healed well after conservative treatment. These wounds' healing time ranged from 11 to 53 days [(18.5±9.9)days], and all the donor sites healed by first intention. Four patients underwent skin flap thinning operation 4 to 8 months later due to the bloated appearance of flaps. Acceptable cosmetic outcomes, soft and elastic skin, and sensation recovery were achieved at the final follow-up. All patients 'donor area left linear scars. One patient had large scar area, but there was no scar contracture and pain. Two patients had an abnormal sensation in the incision area in the early stage and recovered gradually 3 months later without any other serious complications.Conclusions:Repair of limb wounds with bilobed anterolateral thigh flaps with turbocharged technique can overcome the limitation that the bilobed flap can not be designed if the perforators do not share the same trunk and expand the application scope of the bilobed flaps. The design of bilobate flaps reduces the width of the donor site, which can effectively avoid the complications of the donor site.
5.A Study on Prognostic Value of Cellular Immunological Indicators in Omicron Variant Infected Elderly Severe Patients
Jiefu TANG ; Dexing YANG ; Shengzhe LIU ; Qiang WANG ; Kai FU ; Zhenfang WANG ; Ying LUAN ; Min LI ; Rong LIU
Journal of Kunming Medical University 2023;44(12):87-94
Objective To investigate the characteristics of clinical cellular immunity and its relationship with prognosis in elderly patients with severe infection caused by Omicron variant.Methods The clinical data of 53 patients with Omicron variant infection admitted to the geriatric Intensive Care Unit of the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University from December 2022 to February 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.The patients were divided into 22 survival cases and 31 death cases for comparison between the two groups.Logistic analysis is adopted to define the omicron variants of elderly severe infections prognostic factors and construct the ROC curve.Results Mu-ltivariate logistic analysis revealed that the independent risk factors were elevated IL-6(P = 0.043)and decreased absolute T lymphocyte count(P = 0.011).AUC value of ROC of IL-6,absolute T lymphocyte count and IL-6 combined with absolute T lymphocyte count was 0.818,0.796 and 0.887.Conclusion Elevated IL-6 and decreased absolute T lymphocyte count are independent risk factors for elderly severe patients with Omicron variant infections.
6.Questionnaire Survey on General Medicine and Pre-hospital First Aid Knowledge Among People in Ludian County,Yunnan Province
Weiyu ZHOU ; Dexing YANG ; Qiang WANG ; Zhenfang WANG ; Kai FU ; Jiefu TANG ; Shengzhe LIU ; Ying LUAN ; Min LI ; Rong LIU
Journal of Kunming Medical University 2024;45(3):118-126
Objective To explore the public's cognition and attitude towards general medicine,general practitioners,and pre-hospital first-aid knowledge in Ludian County,Yunnan Province,to find out the training and learning methods that are more acceptable to the public for this kind of related knowledge,and to propose targeted solutions.Methods A complete random sampling survey was conducted among the nucleic acid collection office at the gate of the vegetable market from October 15,2022,to December 30,2022,and the outpatient clinic of Wenping Street Health Center from January 1,2023,to February 28,2023,by using electronic questionnaire and paper questionnaire.Results Nearly 50%of the people in Ludian County of Yunnan Province lack the knowledge of general medicine and pre-hospital emergency care,especially the knowledge of electrical defibrillation.People with higher education and the medical profession have a higher understanding of general medicine,and people with a higher understanding of general medicine are more willing to participate in pre-hospital emergency care.The average Ridit value is:very familiar with general medicine(0.774)>Knowledge of some general practices(0.565)>Never heard of general practice(0.400).The higher education level and the more comprehensive understanding of general medicine had a positive impact on participation in pre-hospital emergency care,with B values of 0.624 and 0.619,OR 95%CI of 1.867(1.544~2.257)and 1.857(1.298~2.657),respectively.Taking medical staff as a reference,the B value of medical students was = 0.942,P = 0.234,the difference was not significant,and the B value of non-medical professional population was all less than 0,the effect is negative.In addition,most people have a positive attitude towards learning pre-hospital first aid,and more than 70%of people are willing to learn and train related knowledge of pre-hospital first aid.Conclusions People in urban areas of Ludian County,Yunnan Province have poor understanding of general practice,low recognition of general practitioners,low demand for general practitioners,and lack of awareness of the importance of pre-hospital emergency treatment.Because of the cognitive differences among different groups,it is necessary to conduct specific training for different groups.
7.External fixators combined with anterolateral thigh musculocutaneous flap for treatment of Gustilo type ⅢB/C open tibiofibular fractures
Songqiang ZHANG ; Jihui JU ; Wei DENG ; Lei LI ; Rong ZHOU ; Xiangnan ZHANG ; Zhijin LIU ; Shengzhe LIU ; Feipeng XIAO ; Ruixing HOU
Chinese Journal of Trauma 2021;37(3):216-221
Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of external fixators combined with anterolateral thigh musculocutaneous flap for treatment of Gustilo type IIIB/C open tibiofibular fractures.Methods:A retrospective case series study was conducted to analyze clinical data of 15 patients with Gustilo type IIIB/C open tibiofibular fractures admitted to Ruihua Hospital of Soochow University from March 2016 to June 2019. There were 11 males and 4 females, with the age of (48.5±12.6)years (range, 22-67 years). All patients underwent emergency debridement in stage I, the major blood vessels, nerves and tendons were inspected and repaired, and the fracture ends were fixed by external fixator. There were different degrees of wounds necrosis, infection and bone defect after operation. After debridement in stage II, the soft tissue defects with the dimension of 10.0 cm×5.0 cm to 30.0 cm×8.0 cm were repaired with anterolateral thigh musculocutaneous flaps whose areas ranged from 10.5 cm×5.5 cm to 30.5 cm×8.5 cm. All donor areas of the musculocutaneous flaps were sutured directly in stage I. The healing of the donor areas and musculocutaneous flaps were observed within 2 weeks after operation. At the last follow-up, the shape and sensory recovery of the flap, healing of fractures and related complications were observed. The lower extremity functional scale (LEFS) was used to evaluate the injured limb function.Results:All patients were followed-up for 12-32 months [(22.0±5.8)months]. All donor areas were healed by first intention, leaving only linear scars. The musculocutaneous flaps survived completely in all patients. Partial necrosis of large area of musculocutaneous flap occurred in 2 patients, and healed after debridement and skin grafting. Another patient had vascular crisis after musculocutaneous flap operation and survived after the embolized vein repaired by contralateral great saphenous. At the last follow-up, the shape of flap recovered well, and the feeling partially recovered with the two-point discrimination of 18-26 mm. All fractures healed well, and there were no serious infection-related complications such as osteomyelitis. The LEFS score was 47-69 points [(59.0±9.5)points].Conclusion:Theexternal fixator combined with anterolateral thigh musculocutaneous flaps for treatment of Gustilo type IIIB/Copen tibiofibular fractures can better restore the appearance of soft tissue defect of the lower leg, and can effectively reduce the occurrence of severe infection-related complications.
8.Flow-through anterolateral thigh perforator flap with fascia lata for repairing dorsal wounds of the hand and foot with extensor tendon defects
Zhijin LIU ; Jihui JU ; Rong ZHOU ; Liping GUO ; Liang YANG ; Shengzhe LIU ; Sheng XIONG ; Guangzhe JIN ; Ruixing HOU
Chinese Journal of Trauma 2021;37(10):894-899
Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of flow-through anterolateral thigh perforator flap with fascia lata for repairing dorsal wounds of the hand and foot with extensor tendon defects.Methods:A retrospective case series study was conducted to analyze the clinical date of 14 patients with hand and foot wounds associated with extensor tendon defects admitted to Ruihua Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from January 2015 to December 2019. There were 13 males and 1 female,aged 10-57 years[(39.2±13.4)years]. The wounds were all single with the area of 10 cm×4 cm to 23 cm×12 cm,including 8 wounds on the back of the hand and 6 wounds on the back of the foot. There was 1 patient accompanied with 1 tendon defect,10 with 4 tendon defects and 3 with 5 tendon defects,with the length of tendon defects ranging from 2.0 to 6.0 cm[(3.8±1.4)cm]. The dimension of flaps ranged from 12 cm×5 cm to 23 cm×13 cm,with the fascia lata from 11 cm×5 cm to 20 cm×7 cm. The deficient extensor tendons were repaired with the fascia lata and vascular pedicles were anastomosed by flow-though. A bilobed flap was harvested in 3 patients and a single flap in 11 patients. Donor sites were sutured directly. The survival of the flap and healing of the donor area were detected after operation. The extremity revascularization and shape and sensation recovery of the flap were measured at the last follow-up. The upper extremity functional evaluation standard set up by Hand Surgery Society of the Chinese Medical Association and Maryland foot functional score were used to evaluate the hand and foot function before operation and at the cast follow-up,respectively. The donor site complications and performance of tendon release or flap thinning in the second stage were recorded.Results:All patients were followed up for 8-30 months[(15.3±6.2)months]. All flaps survived successfully,with wounds and thigh donor areas healed by first intension. No significant effect of revascularization was observed on recipient sites,and acceptable cosmetic outcomes and sensation recovery of the flap were achieved at the final follow-up. For patients with dorsal wounds of the hand,the extensor function recovered in different degrees,and the flexion activities of the fingers were not limited. The total active movement was 180°-250°[(226.3±21.7)°]at the last follow-up,compared to preoperative 110°-170°[(145.6±13.2)°]( P<0.01). According to the upper extremity functional evaluation standard,the function was excellent in 4 patients,good in 2 and fair in 2. For patients with wounds of the foot,the flexion and extension function was good,with no obvious deformity of toes,and the Maryland foot functional score ranged from 60 to 92 points[(76.0±12.7)points]at the last follow-up,significantly improved from preoperative 18-45 points[(27.4±7.8)points]( P<0.01),including excellent results in 2 patients,good in 3 and fair in 1. Only linear scars were left in the thigh donor area,and there was no discomfort such as scar contracture or pain. Four patients underwent skin flap thinning at 4-8 months after operation and none underwent a tenolysis. Conclusion:Repair of dorsal wounds with extensor tendon defects of the hand and foot by flow-through anterolateral thigh perforator flap with fascia lata can reduce interference to recipient sites and repair wounds and extensor tendons simultaneously,which can obtain good flexion and extension function and minor damage to the donor area.
9.DSA of the oblique branch of lateral circumflex femoral artery: A morphological study and clinical significance
Lin YANG ; Junnan CHENG ; Shengzhe LIU ; Zhijin LIU ; Tao ZHANG ; Lei LI ; Jihui JU
Chinese Journal of Microsurgery 2021;44(6):642-646
Objective:The morphological characteristics of the oblique branch of lateral circumflex femoral artery (LCFA) were observed by digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in order to provide imaging basis in the application of the ALTF pedicled with the oblique branch of LCFA.Methods:Between February, 2020 and December,2020, for the patients who were requested to repair the wound with ALTF, a DSA radiography was performed before operation. A total of 197 sides of selective DSA were analysed in 113 patients. The occurrence rate, origin and course of the oblique branch of LCFA were observed. Relationships between the oblique branch of LCFA and the upper cutaneous branch, descending branch and transverse branch were analysed. In addition, in order to verify the accuracy of conventional DSA data in describing the morphological characteristics of oblique branches, 10 sites of 10 patients were randomly selected to perform rotational DSA three-dimensional imaging.Results:Femoral artery, deep femoral artery, LCFA and the branches of LCFA were clearly identified on DSA images. The oblique branch appeared in 190 sites, with a occurence rate of 96%. Among them, 1 oblique branch originated from the femoral artery, 2 from the deep femoral artery, and other 187 from LCFA. The oblique branches were found in 10 sites from rotational DSA three-dimensional imaging, which was consistent with conventional DSA imaging.Conclusion:The occurrence rate and morphological characteristics of the oblique branch of LCFA can be directly analysed by DSA. The oblique branch is not a variant branch as reported in the literatures, as it always appears. It may serve the main blood supply artery of the anterolateral thigh flap.
10.Application of "ABC" three line perforator locating method for free anterolateral perforator flap of calf
Tao ZHANG ; Lin YANG ; Junnan CHENG ; Shengzhe LIU ; Zhijin LIU ; Yongtao HUANG ; Qinfeng GAO ; Fengwen SUN ; Chengpeng YANG ; Jihui JU
Chinese Journal of Microsurgery 2023;46(1):70-75
Objective:To explore the feasibility of an "ABC" three line perforator locating method in design and harvest of free anterolateral perforator flap of calf.Methods:Between March 2021 and November 2021, 42 patients with 62 wounds on hand and foot were treated in the Department of Hand Surgery, Suzhou Ruihua Orthopaedic Hospital. The "ABC" three line perforator locating method was applied to determine the location and source of perforating branch before operation and to guide the design and harvest of flap during operation in wound reconstruction. Among the 42 patients, 24 had the injury of single digit, 7 had the injuries with 2 digits, 4 with 3 digits, 1 with 4 digits, 1 of the first web, 1 in the wrist, 2 of the great toe, 1 of second toe and 1 in dorsal foot. The sizes of soft tissue defect were 1.5 cm×2.0 cm-3.0 cm×14.0 cm. The sizes of the flaps were 2.0 cm×2.5 cm-3.5 cm×15.0 cm. All donor sites were sutured directly. In the follow-up, sensations of flaps were evaluated following the sensory function evaluation standard of British Medical Research Council(BMRC), and the recovery of the donor and recipient sites was evaluated by the flap comprehensive evaluation scale. Regular follow-up were scheduled at outpatient clinic.Results:A total of 162 perforators were located before operation. There were 95 perforating branches being explored in the operation, of which 5 patients had 1 extra perforating branch than that located before surgery. Seventy-six perforating branches were found consistent with preoperative localisation, with a coincidence rate of 84.4%(76/90). Sixty-four perforating branches were found consistent with the preoperative source with an accuracy rate of 84.2%(64/76). All the 62 flaps survived without a vascular compromise. Follow-up lasted for 6-10(mean 7.1) months. The colour and texture of the flaps were excellent. The flaps were thin and wear-resistant. The sensory function of the flaps was evaluated at S 1-S 3 by BMRC. Comprehensive evaluation scale of flap was excellent in 38 patients and good in 4 patients. Conclusion:"ABC" three line perforator locating method in design of free anterolateral calf flap is a feasible and an ideal auxiliary method in surgical practice. It combines anatomical knowledge, clinical experience and Doppler ultrasound localisation as well as accurately guides the location and source prediction of perforator before surgery.