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

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect and the detailed mechanisms of intraarterially delivery of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells ( BMSCs) for treatment of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in rats.Methods BMSCs were isolated,purified and amplified with the adherence culture method.BMSCs were labeled with 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine ( BrdU ) (10 μmol/L) for 48 h before transplation.Surface antigens of CD90,CD29,CD106,CD34,CD45,CD11b were identified by flow cytometry.The MCAO model was established with suture emboli method.In this study,3×106 BMSCs were injected into rats with MCAO through intraarterial route at day 7 after stroke.The effects on functional and physical recovery were assessed with the behavioral tests (mNSS test and adhesive test) and body weight.Bielshowsky-Luxol Fast Blue double staining was used to demonstrate the reconstruction of axon and myelin.The Brdu-labeled BMSCs in vitro and in vivo were detected with direct immunofluorescent staining.The expression of neuron specific enolase ( NSE),neurite outgrowth inhibitor-A ( Nogo-A),synaptophysin (SYN),ki-67 nuclear antigen (Ki-67),glial fibrillary acid protein( GFAP),vascular endothelial growth factor ( VEGF) in brain were analyzed with immunohistochemical staining.Results Flow cytometry indicated that the positive rates of high expression of CD90,CD29,CD106 in BMSCs were respectively 91.70%,88.40% and 52.20%.Meanwhile,the positive rates of low expression of CD34,CD45,CD11b in BMSCs were 2.70%,5.65% and 7.82%,respectively.There was a significant difference in behavioral tests ( mNSS test and adhesive test) between BMSCs group and PBS group at day 21,28,35 after MCAO (mNSS:4.89 ±1.36,7.00 ±1.67,3.78 ±1.30 and 6.33 ±1.21,2.44 ±1.13,5.67 ± 1.51;t =2.69,3.83,4.75;adhesive test:54.00 ± 10.48,68.17 ± 11.09,36.89 ±9.80 and 59.33 ± 12.40,23.44 ± 9.04,46.50 ±9.38;t =2.51,3.92,4.77;P ＜0.05).Meanwhile,a significant difference in body weight was discovered between them at day 28,35 after MCAO.In BMSCs group,the area of corpus callosum in the ipsilateral hemisphere was significantly enlarged,the positive number of Brdu,SYN,Ki-67,GFAP,VEGF in brain was significantly increased,the expression of Nogo-A in brain was significantly decreased,nevertheless,the number of NSE-positive cells in brain and the infarct volume were not significant different from PBS group at day 35 after MCAO.Conclusions These results suggest that intra-arterial transplantation of BMSCs is an efficient treatment protocol for stroke.Treatment with BMSCs increases endogenous cells proliferation,angiogenesis,synaptogenesis,enhances axonal regeneration and the protective function of astrocytes,all of which may contribute to neurological functional recovery.

Objective To describe a technique to achieve primary donor-site closure, extend applications and minimize donor-site morbidity by applying the double skin paddle principle.Methods All 16 cases of the double skin paddle anterolateral thigh perforator flap reconstruction from May, 2008 to June, 2014 were reviewed.Defects locations included calf, dorsum pedis or planta pedis.A long anterolateral thigh perforator flap was marked out using standard points of reference.At least two separate cutaneous perforator vessles were identified on hand-held Doppler.Separating and dissecting flap at superficial layer of fascia lata was adopted in all cases.Then skin paddle was then divided between the two cutaneous perforators to give two separate paddles with a common vascular supply which was the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery.The skin paddles could be used to cover complex skin defects, whilst still allowing for primary donor-site closure.Results Fifteen patients were successfully treated with the double skin paddle anterolateral thigh perforator flap with no major complications.One case was suffered with partial skin flap necrosis.The type A dumbbell-like flaps was used to cover defects involving two different units of the foot.The type B pattern were stacked side by side on a flap inset, effectively doubling the width of the flap, to resurface a large defect of a single unit of the calf.The type C pattern was used to repair adjacent skin defects.In all cases, the donor site was closed directly.All patients were satisfied with their outcomes.Conclusion The double skin paddle anterolateral thigh perforator flap is an excellent method of resurfacing large defects of the extremity involving multiple subunits with improved morbidity and cosmesis of the donor site.

Objective To explore the clinical effect and experience of separating deep circumflex iliac artery osteocutaneous perforator flap (DCIAP) from the bone flap.Methods According to local applied anatomy of groin,vascularized chimerical flaps of deep iliac circumflex artery was designed and applied.From May,2008 to June,2012,12 patients who combined bone and composite skin and soft-tissue defects were positioned by color dopplar ultrasound before operation and treated with vascularized chimerical flaps of deep iliac circumflex artery.The deep circumflex iliac perforator flaps was 8 to 19 cm in length and 2 to 6 cm in width,and the iliac bone grafts ranged from 5 to 8 cm in length.Results All flaps were fully survival.After 8-10 months postoperative followed-up,all the bone defect gained healing.The function and appearance of cutaneous flaps were satisfactory.There was no serious complication in donor sites of groin.The average time of healing was 9 (8-10) months.Conclusion Vascularized iliac bone graft and a perforator flap are nourished by the same deep circumflex iliac artery.There is more mobile scope and only 1 blood vessel between the bone graft and skin flap,which should be called chimeric perforator flap based on the deep iliac circumflex artery,and is a kind of good method to repair bone and soft-tissue defects of limbs.

Objective To explore a reliable parameter for primary closure of the donor site of the descending branch of the circumflex femoral lateral artery perforator flap and analysis its effective factors.Methods Between August,2014 and December,2015,149 patients undergoing reconstructive procedures using the descending branch of the circumflex femoral lateral artery perforator flaps were included in the study.All patients were divided into two groups:primary closure of the donor site (135 cases) and none primary closure of the donor site (14 cases).The receiver operating characteristic curve for biostatistical analysis was performed to identify the reliable width of the descending branch of the circumflex femoral lateral artery perforator flap.The parameter,including the age,patients' body mass index,subcutaneous fat thickness,thigh circumference and the maximum flap width,were recorded in 79 patients who were randomly choose from all patients.The method through stretching donor site skin was used to assess the maximum flap width.The maximum flap width-to-thigh circumference ratio was calculated.The Pearson test was used to analysis the correction between those parameters.Results Primary closure of the donor site was possible in 135 patients and impossible in 14 patients.The receiver operating characteristic curve for biostatistical analysis identifying the reliable width of the descending branch of the circumflex femoral lateral artery perforator flap was 8.75cm.The method assessed the reliable width of the flap was (8.37±1.67) cm through stretching donor site skin.the reliable width of the flap was (8.55±1.65) cm in the male patients and (7.42±1.5) cm in the female patients.There was significant different between the two group (P ＜ 0.05).Primary closure can be achieved if the flap width-to-thigh circumference ratio was less than (17.23±3.84) percent.There was a significant negative correlation between subcutaneous fat thickness and the ratio (R=-0.299,P ＜ 0.05) and between body mass index and the ratio (R=-0.21,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion The width of flap less than 8.75 cm is a reliable parameter for primary closure of the descending branch of the circumflex femoral lateral artery perforator flap donor site.The patient's body mass index and subcutaneous fat thickness of the thigh should be taken into consideration.

Objective:To introduce a novel surgical technique for dissecting perforator vessels (orderly retrograde four-side dissection) in anterolateral thigh perforator flap (ALTPF) and explore its clinical outcome.Methods:Respective analysis of 94 patients who underwent reconstruction of soft tissue defects with ALTPF which were dissected by orderly retrograde four-side dissection between June, 2013 and December, 2016. After surgery, the survival of flaps, recovery in shape and function of the recipient sites, and the effect on shape and function of the donor sites were observed.Results:The size of ALTPF ranged from 7 cm×5 cm to 32 cm×10 cm. Ninety-four perforators were included in 94 ALTPF, which were 89 perforators of the descending branch of circumflex femoral lateral artery, 4 perforators of the transverse branch of circumflex femoral lateral artery and 1 perforator of femoral medial artery. The time for flap harvesting was 35-95(54.39±16.39) min. Success rate of perforator harvesting was 98.9%, only 1 perforator was injured and another encountered vasospasm during surgery. Three cases had vascular crisis after flap transfer with 2 venous crises and 1 artery crisis. All of the flaps completely survived except 1 that had a partial necrosis. The follow-up time was (12.91±9.17) months. No muscular weakness on donor sites was shown in all cases.Conclusion:Orderly retrograde four-side dissection of perforator vessels in the ALTPF has achieved less donor site morbidity, shorter surgical time and is safer than the traditional techniques. It is a reliable technique to harvest perforator flaps.

[Objective] To observe the clinical effects of filiform-fire needle combined with abdominal acupuncture in treating ankylosing spondylitis(cold-dampness syndrome). [Methods] Sixty patients who met the criteria of AS were included in the study. They were randomly divided into treatment group and control group for 30 patients in each group. The patients of control group were treated with Diclofenac sodium sustained -release tablet and Salazosul-fpyridine intestinal solution, while treatment group were treated with filiform-fire needle combined with abdominal acupuncture on the basis of western medicine mentioned above.All patients were treated and observed for three months, and they were evaluated by score of TCM symptoms, thoracic activity, spinal activity, finger-floor distance, pillow-wall distance and blood parameters, such as C-reactive Protein(CRP), Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)and Immune Globulin A(IgA). [Results] The total effective rate in treatment group was higher than that in control group(P＜0.05).After treatment, the two groups all got lower scores of TCM symptoms than before, and the scores of the treatment group were significantly lower than the control group(P＜0.05).The thoracic activity, spinal activity, finger-floor distance and pillow-wall distance of all patients improved in varying degrees, and the blood parameters of CRP, ESR and IgA decreased compared with that before treatment, and significantly the treatment group was superior to control group(P＜0.05).[Conclusion] The filiform-fire needle combined with abdominal acupuncture can effectively relieve pain, improve functional activity of the spine and peripheral joints, reduce inflammation, slow disease progression and raise the quality of life of the patients.

Objective To investigate the feasibility and efficacy of using the propeller flaps based on the terminal dorsal branch of proper palmar digital arteries for fingertip reconstruction.Methods From September,2013 to September,2016,25 fingers (25 patients) underwent fingertip reconstruction by using propeller flaps pedicled with the terminal dorsal branch of digital arteries.There were 18 males and 7 females with mean age of 33 years.The injured fingers requiring reconstruction included 13 index,6 middle,5 ring and 1 little fingers.The size of the propeller flaps:small paddles were 0.6 cm×0.4 cm-2.1 cm×0.4 cm;big paddles were 3.0 cm×1.3 cm-5.5 cm ×2.0 cm.The donor sites were closed directly in 16 cases,and skin graft appiled in 9 cases.Results Twenty-three cases fingertip defects were successfully reconstructed with this flap.One case of flap necrosis occurred,requiring secondary revision using a cross-finger flap.Donor sites healed without any complication.The mean follow-up period was 11.5 months (range:7-29 months).Fingers restored good shape and function.At 6 months after surgery,the 2-point discrimination value was 6.5 mm (range,6-10 mm).In 2 cases,protective sensation was successfully restored.The postoperative extension and flexion function was evaluated by the total active movement (TAM) system of finger joints:excellent in 20 fingers,good in 4 fingers and fair in 1 finger.The excellent and good rate was 96％.Conclusion The propeller flap based on the terminal dorsal branch of the proper palmar digital arteries to repair fingertip defect has advantages of achieving good function,appearance and minimized damage to the donor site,which is a effective method in reconstructing the fingertip defect.

Objective To investigate the feasibility and clinical effects of chimeric perforator flap based on the descending branch of lateral circumflex femoral artery (d-LCFA) for reconstructing the three-dimensional tissue defect in lower extremities. Methods From May, 2008 to June, 2017, 79 cases of soft tissue defects with dead space were repaired by using a d-LCFA chimeric perforator flap, in which 33 cases of car accident trauma, 12 cases of chronic tibial osteomyelitis, 10 cases of plowing machine injury, 9 cases of chronic calcaneal osteomyelitis, 6 cases of falling injury, 5 cases of crushing injury, 3 cases of spoke injury, and 1 case of suppurative knee arthritis. These patients were accompany with different degrees of infection and dead space after radical debridement. The dead cavity was filled by muscular flap, and perforator flap covered the superficial wound. Recording the flap 's appearance, color, texture, osteomyelitis recurrence and the patient 's knee extension at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months followed-up. Results Seventy-five flaps survived without complications, and the donor sites were closed directly. All patients had no post-operative hematoma or secondary infection. Vascular crisis occurred in 2 days after the operation in 4 flaps, 1 flap had an arterial crisis on the second-postoperative-day, and the flap was necrotic after surgical exploration. The deep cir-cumflex iliac artery chimeric perforator flap was used for repairing. Three flaps with venous crisis during 48 h after operation, in which 2 flaps survived eventually after surgical exploration, and another flap was necrosis and repaired by skin graft. The followed-up periods ranged from 3 months to 30 months (mean, 9.7 months). All flaps had satisfied with appearance and texture. There were no osteomyelitis recurrence and any ranges of motion limitations in the hip and knee joints of the operated leg. Conclusion The chimeric perforator flap with d-LCFA merely anastomosed 1 group vascular pedicle can make the dead space be filled and cover the superficial wound simultaneously. It is an ideal option for reconstructing the skin defect with dead space in lower extremity, which can improve the quality of restoration of recipient site and reduce the damage of donor site.

Objective:To investigate the feasibility and clinical effect of combined transplantation of bilateral perforator flap based on the descending branch of lateral circumflex femoral artery in the reconstruction of large soft tissue defects of lower limbs.Methods:From January, 2014 to September, 2019, 35 cases of large soft tissue defects of lower limbs were repaired by combined transplantation of bilateral perforator flap based on the descending branch of lateral circumflex femoral artery, and the donor sites were directly closed. The wound involved the shank, ankle and foot; The areas of defect ranged from 17.0 cm×12.0 cm to 33.0 cm×18.0 cm. External fixation were performed on 19 cases with open comminuted tibia fracture, and flap transplantation was preformed after through debridement and negative-pressure wound therapy for 5-7 days. The lateral femoral cutaneous nerve was remained in the flap, which was anastomosed with sensory nerves in the recipient site. The colour, texture, sensation, secondary ulcer of the flap and limb function were followed-up after the operation.Results:Of the 35 cases, 34 cases completely survived, and necrosis occurred in 1 case. The donor sites were closed primarily and complication was not observed in any of the cases. The followed-up period ranged from 6 to 38 months, at 17.6 months in average. The appearance and function of the reconstructed lower limbs were satisfactory.Conclusion:The combined transplantation of the perforate flap of descending branch of lateral femoral circumflex artery is safe and reliable. It can be used to repair large defect and the damage of the donor site is limited. It is an effective method to repair large area of soft tissue defects of lower limbs.