Chimeric flap with a perforator of superficial circumflex iliac artery in treatment of complex tissue defects in Achilles tendon region: 9 cases report
10.3760/cma.j.cn441206-20240604-00143
- VernacularTitle:旋髂浅动脉穿支嵌合皮瓣修复跟腱区复合组织缺损9例
- Author:
Hai LI
1
;
Zairong WEI
1
;
Shun'e XIAO
1
;
Xiangkui WU
1
;
Bihua WU
1
;
Chengliang DENG
1
Author Information
1. 遵义医科大学附属医院烧伤整形外科 遵义医科大学组织损伤修复与再生医学省部共建协同创新中心，遵义 563000
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Superficial circumflex iliac artery;
Chimeric flap with a perforator;
Heel;
Achilles tendon;
Complex tissue defect
- From:
Chinese Journal of Microsurgery
2025;48(1):25-30
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of chimeric flap with perforating branch of superficial circumflex iliac artery in reconstruction of complex tissue defect in Achilles tendon region.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 9 patients who underwent reconstruction of composite tissue defects in Achilles tendon region with the perforator flap of lateral femoral circumflex artery, from January 2017 to January 2023 in the Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University. The patients were 7 males and 2 females and at 16 to 54 years, with 36.6 years in average. Causes of injury were: 5 patients by traffic accident, 2 by machine strangulation and 1 by heavy object, also 1 defect was caused by infection. The soft tissue defects were 4.5 cm×6.0 cm to 8.0 cm×12.0 cm in size, and the defects of Achilles tendon were 4.5 cm to 11.5 cm, with an average of 6.8 cm in length. The wounds were managed with VSD after primary surgery, and then stage Ⅰ surgery were followed to reconstruct the defects in Achilles tendon region with perforator flap of lateral femoral circumflex artery. The sizes of chimeric flaps were 6.5 cm×5.0 cm to 18.0 cm×6.5 cm, including 3 lobuated flaps. The fascia grafts were 5.5 cm to 12.0 cm, with an average of 7.0 cm. Scheduled postoperative follow-ups were conducted in outpatient clinic and via telephone or WeChat interviews, together with the advices for rehabilitation training. Postoperative functions of the Achilles tendon and ankle function were evaluated using Arner-Lindholm criteria and the ankle and hindfoot functional score of American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS).Results:All of the 9 chimeric flaps survived and all the donor sites had primary healing. All patients were entered into the postoperative follow-up for 10 to 66 months, with 14.6 months in average. One chimeric flap was found bulky and a flap thinning surgery was further carried out in 3 months under the request of patient. The rest of patients were satisfied with the appearance and texture of the flaps. The range of ankle plantar flexions was found at 42.9°±1.8° and the dorsal flexions was at 16.2°±2.5°. There was no significant decrease in circumference and no discomfort or muscle re-rupture in the affected legs. Thompson test was found negative. There was no wound related complications during follow-up. Reconstructive surgery were found effective based on Arner-Lindholm criteria, with excellent in 6 patients, good in 2 and 1 in fair. The ankle and subtalar joint function was evaluated according to the ankle-hindfoot function score of AOFAS, with 7 patients scored 90-100 point and 2 scored 75-89 point, and 7 patients were in excellent and 2 in good.Conclusion:The chimeric perforator flap of lateral femoral circumflex artery is safe and reliable in reconstruction of composite tissue defects in Achilles tendon region. It can effectively restore the function and appearance of ankle and hindfoot in patients with composite tissue defects in the Achilles tendon region.
