Objective:To investigate the application of 3-D ultrasonography enabled by a wide band linear matrix array volume transducer in the localisation of perforating vessels of a free anterolateral thigh perforator flap (ALTPF) before surgery, and to guide microsurgeons in precise design and harvest of a ALTPF.Methods:From May 2020 to October 2022, a retrospective study was carried out on 35 patients who had soft tissue defects and undertaken free ALTPF surgery in Department of Foot and Ankle Surgery, Wuxi No.9 People's Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University. ALTPFs were transfered for reconstruction of soft tissue defects of foot in 25 patients and of ankle in 10 patients. The age of patients were 20 to 66 years old. The defects were 11.0 cm×8.0 cm-28.0 cm×9.0 cm in size. The sizes of ALTPFs were at 12.0 cm×9.0 cm-29.0 cm×10.0 cm. Before surgery, ultrasound scans with a wide band linear matrix array volume transducer were performed to locate the perforating vessels. The 3-D ultrasound images showing the perforating vessels of ALTPFs were acquired and the number, location and classification of the perforating vessels were saved. After the appropriate perforating vessels had been determined, ALTPFs were designed for precisely intraoperative incision. The accuracy of preoperative location of perforating vessels by the linear matrix array volume ultrasound transducer was investigated in surgery. All patients received the scheduled postoperative follow-up at outpatient clinics.Results:Of the 72 perforating vessels discovered in surgery, 70 matched with those being located by ultrasound before surgery. It was found that a total of 67 perforating vessels located before surgery by ultrasonography were consistently mapped with the perforators discovered in surgery. Of the 67 consistently mapped perforating vessels, 19 were Kimura type I, 27 of Kimura type II and 21 of Kimura type III perforators. The rate of sensitivity and positive prediction were 95.7% and 93.1%, respectively, in the preoperative localisation of perforating vessels of ALTPFs with a wide band linear matrix array volume ultrasound transducer. Twenty-five ALTPFs were harvested subfascially and 10 superfascially. Average size of ALTPFs was 17.7 cm × 8.6 cm. The perforating vessels revealed during the harvest of all ALTPFs were basically consistent with the preoperative 3-D ultrasound. All flaps survived after surgery without any incident. The postoperative follow-up lasted 8 to 20 months, with 12.7 months in average.Conclusion:The 3-D ultrasonography with a wide band linear matrix array volume ultrasound transducer can accurately locate the perforating vessels of ALTPF before surgery. This technique has many advantages in the design and harvest of super-thin ALTPFs.

Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of superthin anterolateral thigh flap(ALTF) with retrograde dissection of perforator in the interface plane between the superficial and deep layer of superficial fascia for reconstruction of soft tissue defect in the foot.Methods:The study involved 24 Side of 23 patients with foot soft tissue defects in Department of Foot and Ankle Surgery in Wuxi Ninth People’s Hospital from August 2019 to July 2021. There were 15 males and 8 females with an average of 42(range, 22-59) years old, including 9 in left foot, 13 in right foot, and 1 in both feet. The size of soft tissue defects was 4 cm×4 cm-11 cm×17 cm. The dimension of the superthin ALTF was 4 cm×5 cm-12 cm×18 cm. CTA and high-frequency CDU were used to locate the perforator in the superficial fascia plane. The perforator was exposed and dissected retrograde in the adiposal layer. The superthin ALTF was harvested to repair the foot wound. The donor site was sutured directly. All patients enter follow-up reviews at outpatient clinic or by WeChat. The appearance of flaps were recorded.Results:The superthin ALTF survived in all patients. Two cases had partial epidermal necrosis at the distal part of the flap. The thickness of the flap averaged approximately 4(range 3-6) mm. During 8-16(mean 12) months of follow-up, all superthin ALTF were soft in texture without ulceration. Two flaps required secondary defatting procedures, others showed satisfactory appearance without bulky deformity. Only linear scars left in donor areas.Conclusion:The technique of harvesting superthin ALTF with retrograde dissection of perforator in the superficial fascia plane for repairing foot wounds is reliable and is able to achieve satisfactory functional and esthetic outcome.

Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of minimally invasive-locking block modified Krackow (MI-LBMK) and open giftbox technique in the treatment of Achilles tendon rupture.Methods:Fifty-six patients with Achilles tendon rupture from January 2016 to December 2018 were collected, including 54 males and 2 females, aged 40.7±9.4 years (range 26 to 65 years). The MI group (30 patients) used two minimally invasive incisions without exposing the rupture site, and the LBMK technique was used to repair the Achilles tendon. The open group (26 patients) used a posteromedial longitudinal incision and the giftbox technique was used to repair the rupture tendon. The Achilles tendon was repaired with 6-strand sutures in both groups. Early rehabilitation programs were adopted for postoperative rehabilitation, and regular follow-up (6 weeks, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after operation) was performed to record the Achilles tendon resting angle (ATRA), American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society ankle-hindfoot score (AOFAS), Achilles tendon total rupture score (ATRS). The rupture gap and cross-sectional area (CSA) were measured by MRI at 6 weeks and 3 months after surgery.Results:A total of 30 patients in the MI group and 26 in the open group were enrolled. The differences between the two groups in age, body mass index, interval from injury to operation, and tendon rupture site were not statistically significant ( P>0.05). All patients were followed up to 24 months after surgery. There were no wound complications in MI group, and 2 cases of superficial infection and 1 case of wound skin necrosis occurred in open group. There was no re-rupture in both groups. The relative ATRA of MI group was -6.32°±0.99°, -3.90°±1.05°, -2.38°±0.84°, -0.25°±1.37° at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after operation, respectively. The relative ATRA of open group was -7.88°±3.71°, -6.16°±1.10°, -4.53°±0.95°, -3.01°±0.95° at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after operation, respectively. The differences between the two groups were statistically significant ( P<0.05). The ATRS of minimally invasive group at 6 months and 12 months were 72.70±7.41 and 92.97±3.35 respectively, and the ATRS of open group at 6 months and 12 months were 68.08±6.64 and 90.85±4.27 respectively, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). The AOFAS of minimally invasive group at 6 months and 12 months were 88.60±2.76 and 93.83±1.98 respectively, and the AOFAS of open group at 6 months and 12 months were 85.77±3.20 and 92.08±2.64 respectively, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). The difference in the gap between the tendon rupture ends measured by MRI sagittal plane T2WI between the two groups was not statistically significant ( P>0.05). The cross-sectional area of Achilles tendon in the MI group was higher than that of the open group at 12 weeks ( P<0.05). Conclusion:The MI-LBMK technique may protect the peritendon tissue and has fewer complications, and can enable the patient to return to daily life faster, with lower postoperative Achilles tendon elongation and better recovery of Achilles tendon function.