BACKGROUNDIn the past decade, there has been increasing breast reconstructions after mastectomy. The ideal material for reconstruction of a breast is fat and skin. The transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap has been the gold standard for breast reconstruction until recently. Abdominal wall function is a major concern for plastic surgeons in breast reconstruction with TRAM flaps. The deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) free flap spares the whole rectus abdominis muscle, includes skin and fat only, and therefore preserves adequate abdominal wall competence. The aim of this study was to summarize our experience in breast reconstruction with DIEP flap.

METHODSBetween March 2000 and August 2005, a total of 43 breast reconstructions were performed on 40 patients by our surgeons using DIEP flap (3 patients had bilateral procedures), 14 of them were immediate surgeries and 26 were delayed. Abdominal function, satisfaction with the donor site and reconstructed breast, and the sensation recovery was assessed respectively during follow-up.

RESULTSThe mean age of the patients was 38.6 years (range, 28 - 50). The size of the flaps was 11 cm x 26 cm in average (height 10 - 12 cm, width 15 - 33 cm). The mean length of the vascular pedicles was 9.3 cm (range, 7 - 12). The patients were followed up for a mean of 16 months (range, 6 - 30 months). During the follow-up, 2 (5%) patients had total flap loss, 2 (5%) had partial necrosis, 4 (9%) had wound edge necrosis in the abdomen, and 1 had axillary seroma. None of the patients had hernia, and all of them were able to resume their daily activities after the operation. Patient satisfaction with the reconstructed breast rated high, 95% of the patients achieved spontaneous return of sensation in the reconstructed breast, but none of them had a sensation equivalent or approximate to the normal.

CONCLUSIONSThe DIEP flap has the same benefits as the TRAM flap without destroying the continuity of the rectus muscle. It can reduce donor-site morbidity and provide an aesthetic refinement in breast reconstruction.

Abdominal Wall ; physiopathology ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Mammaplasty ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Patient Satisfaction ; Sensation ; Surgical Flaps ; adverse effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate a new surgical method to treat unilateral limb lymphedem after radical mastectomy.

METHODS10 cases of upper limb lymphedema after radical mastectomy were treated using flap transfer (the lateral thoracic skin flap or latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap combined with liposuction).

RESULTSAfter the treatment, the upper limb perimeter reduced in varied degrees. Nuclear lymphatic radiography showed notable changes in lymphatic circulation. The effective results were steady during the follow-up of 3-18 months.

CONCLUSIONFlap transplantation combined with liposuction is a useful treatment for limb lymphedema from radical mastectomy.

Breast Neoplasms ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Lipectomy ; Lymphedema ; etiology ; surgery ; Mastectomy, Radical ; adverse effects ; Postoperative Complications ; surgery ; Surgical Flaps

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical efficacy of low molecular weight heparin (Fraxiparine) in rescuing venous crisis of island skin flap.

METHODSOf the 73 patients with venous crisis of island skin flap, 47 received subcutaneous injection of low-molecular-weight heparin (group I) and 26 were treated with phlebotomy, local compression and topical application of unfractionated heparin solution gauze (group II).

RESULTSThe flap survival ratio was (88.46∓8.64)% in group I and (38.37∓6.53)% in group II (P<0.001). At 0, 2, and 4 h after injection of low-molecular-weight heparin, the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) was obviously delayed (24.28∓6.71, 41.35∓7.64 and 32.34∓6.35, respectively, P<0.01), FXa:C level was significantly decreased (152.4∓30.7, 65.8∓24.4 and 83.4∓18.4, respectively, P<0.01), while FIIa:C level underwent no obvious alterations (155.70∓31.61, 143.20∓24.75, and 143.4∓23.35, respectively, P=NS).

CONCLUSIONFraxiparine has good antithrombotic efficacy in rescuing venous crisis of island skin flap without adverse effect on systemic coagulation.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nadroparin ; therapeutic use ; Surgical Flaps ; adverse effects ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

This article reports a patient with extensive high-pressure injection injury of the hand caused by mistaken injection of polyurethane material into the index finger, who was diagnosed and treated in the Department of Orthopedics of Huzhou Central Hospital in 2019. Both the digital artery and digital nerve were involved, and the polyurethane involved the right palm along the flexor tendon sheath of the index finger and wrist. Due to the lack of X-ray development, the scope of the first debridement was small, and the blood supply to the fingertip was poor. Finally, the patient's right index finger was amputated due to infection and necrosis. MR or B-ultrasound should be perfected before operation to clarify the extent of polyurethane involvement. The initial thorough debridement or multiple debridements are necessary to improve the prognosis. If the blood supply of the fingers is poor, the blood supply can be reconstructed by skin flap transplantation.
Finger Injuries/surgery* ; Humans ; Polyurethanes/adverse effects* ; Plastic Surgery Procedures ; Skin Transplantation ; Surgical Flaps/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo study the postoperative complications and its risk factors in patients underwent breast reconstruction with abdominal flaps.

METHODSThe clinical data of 115 cases underwent breast reconstructions with abdominal flaps from May 2001 to October 2008 was reviewed. The postoperative complications included total flap necrosis, partial flap necrosis, fat necrosis, hernia, bulge, fat liquefaction and infection. The risk factors of complication rates were also evaluated.

RESULTSThe total postoperative complications rate was 17.4% (20/115). No severe complications was found, such as total flap necrosis, hernia and bulge. The most common complications of flap was fat necrosis which occurred in 6 cases (5.2%), partial flap necrosis in 5 cases (4.3%) and infection in 1 case (0.9%). The donor-site complications included fat liquefaction which occurred in 8 cases (7.0%) and infection in 3 cases (2.6%). No significant relation was found between patient's age, body mass index (BMI), timing of surgery and the postoperative complication rate. The postoperative complications occurred more frequently in active smokers, patients with radiotherapy history, or reconstructions with pedicled transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flaps. But no significant difference was found in those factors.

CONCLUSIONSFewer complications happens in patients with a reconstruction with deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap. Abdominal flap should be performed with more consideration in active smokers or patients with a radiotherapy history. Age and obesity should not be contraindications to breast reconstruction with abdominal flaps.

Abdomen ; surgery ; Adult ; Breast Neoplasms ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Mammaplasty ; adverse effects ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; etiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Surgical Flaps ; adverse effects

OBJECTIVE: To create a comprehensive algorithmic approach to reconstruction after vulvar cancer ablative surgery, which includes both traditional and perforator flaps, evaluating anatomical subunits and shape of the defect. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 80 cases of reconstruction after vulvar cancer ablative surgery, performed between June 2006 and January 2016, transferring 101 flaps. We registered the possibility to achieve the complete wound closure, even in presence of very complex defects, and the postoperative complications. On the basis of these experience, analyzing the choices made and considering the complications, we developed an algorithm to help with the selection of the flap in vulvoperineal reconstruction after oncologic ablative surgery for vulvar cancer. RESULTS: We employed eight types of different flaps, including 54 traditional fasciocutaneous V-Y flaps, 23 rectus abdominis myocutaneous flaps, 11 anterolateral thigh flaps, three V-Y gracilis myocutaneous flaps, three free style perforators V-Y flaps from the inner thigh, two Limberg flaps, two lotus flaps, two deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap, and one superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator flap. The structures most frequently involved in resection were vulva, perineum, mons pubis, groins, vagina, urethra and, more rarely, rectum, bladder, and lower abdominal wall. CONCLUSION: The algorithm we implemented can be a useful tool to help flap selection. The key points in the decision-making process are: anatomical subunits to be covered, overall shape and symmetry of the defect and some patient features such as skin laxity or previous radiotherapy. Perforator flaps, when feasible, must be considered standard in vulvoperineal reconstruction, although in some cases traditional flaps remain the best choice.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Algorithms ; Female ; Gynecologic Surgical Procedures/adverse effects/methods ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications/epidemiology ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures/*methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Surgical Flaps/adverse effects ; Vulva/*surgery ; Vulvar Neoplasms/*surgery

Penile augmentation by the injection of mineral oil provokes many serious, undesirable effects. Although there are reports of complications such as deformity, ulceration, necrosis, and erectile dysfunction, Fournier's gangrene resulting from the injection of petroleum jelly into the penis has not been reported. Here, we present a 42-year-old man with penile vaselinoma causing Fournier's gangrene which was treated successfully with aggressive surgical debridement, followed by penoscrotal reconstruction using groin and bilateral superomedial thigh flaps.
Adult ; Fournier Gangrene/chemically induced/pathology/*surgery ; Humans ; Injections, Subcutaneous ; Male ; Penile Diseases/pathology/*surgery ; Petrolatum/administration & dosage/*adverse effects ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; *Surgical Flaps ; Thigh/surgery

Penile augmentation by the injection of mineral oil provokes many serious, undesirable effects. Although there are reports of complications such as deformity, ulceration, necrosis, and erectile dysfunction, Fournier's gangrene resulting from the injection of petroleum jelly into the penis has not been reported. Here, we present a 42-year-old man with penile vaselinoma causing Fournier's gangrene which was treated successfully with aggressive surgical debridement, followed by penoscrotal reconstruction using groin and bilateral superomedial thigh flaps.
Adult ; Fournier Gangrene/chemically induced/pathology/*surgery ; Humans ; Injections, Subcutaneous ; Male ; Penile Diseases/pathology/*surgery ; Petrolatum/administration & dosage/*adverse effects ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; *Surgical Flaps ; Thigh/surgery

OBJECTIVE: To explore the feasibility, option of surgical method and surgery opportunity of local flap reconstruction in nasal defects due to severe infection after rhinoplasty. METHOD: The clinical datum of eleven patients, who had 15 cases of local flap reconstruction due to severe infection after rhinoplasty, were analyzed retrospectively. The lesions included defects of nasal dorsum, nasal tip and anterior-nare-vestibular fistula. Areas of defects ranged from 1.5 cm x 1.2 cm to 2.0 cm x 2.5 cm and fistula diameters fell between 0.6 cm and 0.9 cm. Based on the principal of nasal aesthetic sub-unit, nasal defects were restored with local flaps, such as nasal dorsum flaps, rhomboid flaps and nasal columella-tip flaps. The early changes and the maintenances of nasal contour after reconstruction were observed. RESULT: All 15 reconstructions were carried out 2 weeks after control of infection, and stage-I recovery was achieved in all the cases. In the follow-up periods from 4 to 27 months, all the flaps survived. only 2 cases had distortion of nasal tips, however, they were recovered with subcutaneous injection restoration; the other cases received satisfactory nasal contour where the flaps matched well with the neighbor skin in color, texture and extent of actinic dermatitis. CONCLUSION Based on the principal of nasal aesthetic sub-unit, the individualized early local flap reconstruction would have good effect on nasal function and aesthetics, which will restore self-confidence of the patients as soon as possible.
Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Infection ; complications ; Male ; Postoperative Complications ; surgery ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Rhinoplasty ; adverse effects ; Skin Transplantation ; Surgical Flaps ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the prevention and treatment on the donor site sequelae after autologous breast reconstruction with extended latissimus dorsi flap.

METHODS88 patients received breast reconstruction with extended latissimus dorsi flap between May 1999 and Nov 2004 were concerned. We analyzed the donor site sequelae by objective and subjective evaluation and we assessed the functional condition. Results Dorsal hematoma developed in 1 patient. There are 7 patients with dorsal seromas and 2 of them developed capsules; 5 patients with mild skin exfoliate and 1 patient with dry skin necrosis, 2 winged shoulders. No infection and no hypertrophic scars appeared in donor site. There is no significant functional limitation and no influence in daily life.

CONCLUSIONSThe main complication after autologous breast reconstruction with extended latissimus dorsi flap was seromas and it can be controlled to decrease. There is no severe complication. It's a worthy method in autologous breast reconstruction in oriental people.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Mammaplasty ; adverse effects ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Muscle, Skeletal ; pathology ; transplantation ; Surgical Flaps ; Surgical Wound Infection ; complications ; Young Adult