Objective: To explore the effects of clinical application of free anterolateral thigh perforator lobulated flap in repair of electrical burn wounds on head based on the concept of donor site protection. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted. Eight patients with electrical burns with huge scalp defects and exposed skulls were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, from May 2017 to December 2019, who were all males, aged 21-57 (39±13) years, sustaining multiple deep partial thickness to full-thickness electrical burns to 5%-14% total body surface area. Among the scalp burn sites of the patients, 1 case was posterior occipital, 2 cases were parietal occipital, 4 cases were parietal temporal, and 1 case was frontotemporal. After debridement, the defect area was 10 cm×9 cm-16 cm×14 cm. The incision area of the free anterolateral thigh perforator lobulated flap was 22 cm×6 cm-30 cm×9 cm. The artery and vein of flap were anastomosed with superficial temporal artery and vein or facial artery and vein, and the other vein of skin flap was anastomosed with superficial vein of recipient area. The donor site of skin flap was closed by layer interrupted tension-reducing suture. After the operation, the survival of flop, donor site wound healing and complications were observed. The flap appearance, wound healing of donor sites, long-term complications and functional recovery of donor sites were observed on follow-up. Results: After the operation, the flaps of 8 patients survived completely without vascular crisis. The donor sites of flaps in all the patients healed well with no osteofascial compartment syndrome. Seven patients were followed up for 3 to 12 months, and 1 case was lost to follow up. During follow-up, the flaps of the patients' heads were in good appearance but with alopecia. The donor sites showed linear scars, which were well hidden. There were no significant differences in sensory and motor functions between the two sides, and no complications were found such as muscle hernia. Conclusions: Free anterolateral thigh perforator lobulated flap has a good clinical effect in the early repair of electrical burn wounds with huge scalp defect and skull exposure on head, and the donor wounds can be directly closed and sutured, greatly reducing the damage to the donor area.
Adult ; Burns, Electric/surgery* ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Perforator Flap ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Skin Transplantation ; Soft Tissue Injuries/surgery* ; Thigh/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Objective: To explore the clinical application value of two longitudes three transverses method in the location of the perforator of thoracodorsal artery perforator and deep wound repair. Methods: The retrospectively observational study was conducted. From December 2018 to June 2020, 17 patients with deep wounds who were admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University met the inclusion criteria and were included in this study, including 7 males and 10 females, aged 12 to 72 years. The wound areas of patients after debridement were 7 cm×3 cm to 11 cm×7 cm. Two longitudinal lines were located through the midpoint of the armpit, the posterior superior iliac spine, and the protruding point of the sacroiliac joint, and three transverse lines were located 5, 10, and 15 cm below the midpoint of the armpit between the two longitudinal lines, i.e. two longitudes three transverses method, resulting in two trapezoidal areas. And then the thoracodorsal artery perforators in two trapezoidal areas were explored by the portable Doppler blood flow detector. On this account, a single or lobulated free thoracodorsal artery perforator flap or flap that carrying partial latissimus dorsi muscle, with an area of 7 cm×4 cm to 12 cm×8 cm was designed and harvested to repair the wound. The donor sites were all closed by suturing directly. The number and location of thoracodorsal artery perforators, and the distance from the position where the first perforator (the perforator closest to the axillary apex) exits the muscle to the lateral border of the latissimus dorsi in preoperative localization and intraoperative exploration, the diameter of thoracodorsal artery perforator measured during operation, and the flap types were recorded. The survivals of flaps and appearances of donor sites were followed up. Results: The number and location of thoracodorsal artery perforators located before operation in each patient were consistent with the results of intraoperative exploration. A total of 42 perforators were found in two trapezoidal areas, with 2 or 3 perforators each patient. The perforators were all located in two trapezoid areas, and a stable perforator (the first perforator) was located and detected in the first trapezoidal area. There were averagely 1.47 perforators in the second trapezoidal area. The position where the first perforator exits the muscle was 2.1-3.1 cm away from the lateral border of the latissimus dorsi. The diameters of thoracodorsal artery perforators were 0.4-0.6 mm. In this group, 12 cases were repaired with single thoracodorsal artery perforator flap, 3 cases with lobulated thoracodorsal artery perforator flap, and 2 cases with thoracodorsal artery perforator flap carrying partial latissimus dorsi muscle. The patients were followed up for 6 to 16 months. All the 17 flaps survived with good elasticity, blood circulation, and soft texture. Only linear scar was left in the donor area. Conclusions: The two longitudes three transverses method is helpful to locate the perforator of thoracodorsal artery perforator flap. The method is simple and reliable. The thoracodorsal artery perforator flap designed and harvested based on this method has good clinical effects in repairing deep wound, with minimal donor site damage.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Arteries ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Perforator Flap ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures/methods* ; Retrospective Studies ; Skin Transplantation ; Soft Tissue Injuries/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Skin and soft tissue expansion can provide skin tissue similar to the recipient area in color and texture, which is one of the ideal methods in the repair of superficial defects. However, due to the long treatment cycle and relatively high complications rate in pediatric patients, expansion still faces many challenges. Based on the clinical practice and the current progress in skin and soft tissue expansion, this paper briefly discusses the change of skin after expansion, and the application, prevention and treatment of complications in the application of expansion in pediatric patients, aiming to provide reference for expansion in pediatric patients.
Child ; Humans ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Skin Transplantation ; Soft Tissue Injuries/surgery* ; Tissue Expansion ; Treatment Outcome

Objective: The surgical reconstruction strategy for scar contracture deformity in chin and neck was explored, aiming to obtain better aesthetic outcome. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted. From December 2017 to April 2021, 34 patients with scar contracture deformity in chin and neck after burns were hospitalized in the Department of Plastic Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University (the Third Military Medical University), aged 12-54 years, including 13 males and 21 females, 4 cases with chin affected only, 7 cases with neck affected only, and 23 cases with both chin and neck affected. The scar areas were 48-252 cm². All the patients were treated by operation with expanded flaps, following the "MRIS" principle of matching of the color and thickness of the repair flaps (match), reconstructing of the aesthetic features of subunits (reconstruction), design of incision according to the plastic principle (incision), and prevention of the surgical incision scar (scar). The rectangular or kidney shaped skin and soft tissue expander (hereinafter referred to as the expander) with rated capacity of 80-400 mL was embedded in the first stage, which was routinely expanded to 3-5 times of the rated capacity of the expander. In the second stage, scar resection and expanded flap excision were performed to repair the secondary wound, and the flap donor site was sutured directly. The expansion ratio of the expander (with average value being calculated), the type of flaps used, the reconstruction of local aesthetic morphology, the appearance of postoperative incision, the survival of flap, and the situation of donor and recipient sites observed during follow-up were recorded. Results: Among the 34 patients, the average expansion ratio of the implanted expander was 3.82 times of the rated capacity of the expander. Three cases were repaired by the expanded local pedicled flap only, 19 cases by the expanded shoulder and/or chest perforator pedicled flap only, 10 cases by the expanded local pedicled flap combined with the expanded shoulder and/or chest perforator pedicled flap, and 2 cases by the expanded local pedicled flap combined with the expanded free flap of the second intercostal perforator of internal thoracic artery. After scar resection, the shapes of lower lip and chin-lip groove were reconstructed in 10 cases, chin process reconstruction and chin lengthening were performed in 16 cases, and the cervico-mental angle and mandibular margin contour were reconstructed in 28 cases. The surgical incision was concealed, most of which were located at the natural junction or turning point of the chin and neck subunits. The vertical incision of neck was Z-shaped or fishtail-shaped. All the expanded flaps in 34 patients survived after operation, of which 8 patients had minor necrosis at the edge or tip of the expanded flaps 1-3 days after operation and healed after dressing change. During the follow-up of 3-18 months, little difference in color and thickness between the expanded flap and the skin of chin and neck was observed, and the aesthetic shape of chin and neck was significantly improved, with mild scar hyperplasia of surgical incision. Conclusions: Reconstruction of scar contracture deformity in chin and neck by using expanded flaps based on the "MRIS" principle is beneficial to improve the quality of surgery and achieve better aesthetic outcome.
Chin/surgery* ; Cicatrix/surgery* ; Contracture/surgery* ; Female ; Free Tissue Flaps ; Humans ; Male ; Perforator Flap ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Skin Transplantation ; Surgical Wound ; Treatment Outcome

Objective: To summarize the clinical experience of expanded internal mammary artery perforator (IMAP) flap combined with vascular supercharge in reconstruction of faciocervical scar. Methods: The retrospective observational study was conducted. From September 2012 to May 2021, 23 patients with postburn or posttraumatic faciocervical scars who met the inclusion criteria were admitted to Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital of Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, including 18 males and 5 females, aged from 11 to 58 years, all of whom were reconstructed with expanded IMAP flaps. At the first stage, one or two skin and soft tissue expander (s) with appropriate rated capacity were implanted in the anterior chest area according to the location and size of the scars. The IMAP, thoracic branch of supraclavicular artery, and lateral thoracic artery were preserved during the operation. The skin and soft tissue expanders were inflated with normal saline after the operation. The flaps were transferred during the second stage. The dominant IMAP was determined preoperatively using color Doppler ultrasound (CDU) blood flow detector. The faciocervical scars were removed, forming wounds with areas of 9 cm×7 cm-28 cm×12 cm, and the perforators of superficial temporal artery and vein or facial artery and vein were preserved during the operation. The flaps were designed according to the area and size of the wounds after scar resection with the dominant IMAP as the pedicle. Single-pedicle IMAP flaps were used to repair small and medium-sized wounds. For larger defects, the blood perfusion areas of vessels in the anterior chest were evaluated by indocyanine green angiography (ICGA). In situations where the IMAP was insufficient to nourish the entire flap, double-pedicle flaps were designed by using the thoracic branch of supraclavicular artery or lateral thoracic artery for supercharging. Pedicled or free flap transfer was selected according to the distance between the donor areas and recipient areas. After transplantation of flaps, ICGA was conducted again to evaluate blood perfusion of the flaps. The donor sites of flaps were all closed by suturing directly. Statistics were recorded, including the number, rated capacity, normal saline injection volume, and expansion period of skin and soft tissue expanders, the location of the dominant IMAP, the total number of the flaps used, the number of flaps with different types of vascular pedicles, the flap area, the flap survival after the second stage surgery, the occurrence of common complications in the donor and recipient areas, and the condition of follow-up. Results: Totally 25 skin and soft tissue expanders were used in this group of patients, with rated capacity of 200-500 mL, normal saline injection volume of 855-2 055 mL, and expansion period of 4-16 months. The dominant IMAP was detected in the second intercostal space (20 sides) or the third intercostal space (5 sides) before surgery. A total of 25 expanded flaps were excised, including 2 pedicled IMAP flaps, 11 free IMAP flaps, 4 pedicled thoracic branch of supraclavicular artery+free IMAP flaps, and 8 free IMAP+lateral thoracic artery flaps, with flap areas of 10 cm×8 cm-30 cm×14 cm. After the second stage surgery, tip necrosis of flaps in three patients occurred, which healed after routine dressing changes; one patient developed arterial embolism and local torsion on the vascular pedicle at the anastomosis of IMAP and facial artery, and the blood supply recovered after thrombectomy and vascular re-anastomosis. Fourteen patients underwent flap thinning surgery in 1 month to 6 months after the second stage surgery. The follow-up for 4 months to 9 years showed that all patients had improved appearances of flaps and functions of face and neck and linear scar in the donor sites of flaps, and one female patient had obvious nipple displacement and bilateral breast asymmetry. Conclusions: The expanded IMAP flap is matched in color and texture with that of the face and neck, and its incision causes little damage to the chest donor sites. When combined with vascular supercharge, a double-pedicle flap can be designed flexibly to further enhance the blood supply and expand the flap incision area, which is a good choice for reconstruction of large faciocervical scar.
China ; Cicatrix/surgery* ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mammary Arteries/surgery* ; Perforator Flap ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Saline Solution ; Skin Transplantation ; Soft Tissue Injuries/surgery* ; Surgical Wound ; Treatment Outcome

Objective: To investigate the clinical effects of free transplantation of expanded ilioinguinal flaps in the reconstruction of severe scar contracture after extensive burns. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted. From August 2017 to October 2021, 7 patients with severe scar contracture deformity caused by extensive burns were hospitalized in Tongren Hospital of Wuhan University & Wuhan Third Hospital, including 5 males and 2 females, aged 26-65 years, with scar area of 20 cm×4 cm-34 cm×14 cm. In the first stage, the rectangular skin and soft tissue expander (hereinafter referred to as the expander) with rated capacity of 500-600 mL were embedded above the inguinal ligament, and then normal saline was injected after stitch removal for expansion to meet the needs of repair surgery. In the second stage, the scar was removed by surgical excision to correct the deformity and release the adhesion and contracture; after the removal of the expanders, the expanded ilioinguinal free flaps were harvested. When a larger flap was needed, the paraumbilical perforator flap was harvested at the same time, and the flaps were transplanted to the secondary wound after scar resection. The number of embedded expanders, the total amount of injected normal saline, the expansion time, the complications of skin and soft tissue expansion, the number, area, thickness, and anastomotic vascular pedicles of the expanded ilioinguinal flaps being resected, the type of flaps used, the repair method of flap donor sites, and the survival of flaps after operation were observed and recorded. The long-term repair effect and donor site condition were followed up. At the last follow-up, the patients' satisfaction with the curative effect of each surgical site was investigated according to the grade 5 score of Likert scale. Results: A total of 10 expanders were embedded in 7 patients, of which 4 patients had 1 each and 3 patients had 2 each. The total volume of normal saline injected was 800-1 800 (1 342±385) mL, and the expansion time was 4-24 (11±5) months. One patient had the expander exposed due to infection after the expander being inserted, while the other patients had no complications of skin and soft tissue expansion. Totally 10 expanded ilioinguinal flaps with the area of 22 cm×6 cm-36 cm×16 cm ((326±132) cm²) and the thickness of 0.6-1.1 (0.77±0.16) cm were harvested. Among the 10 expanded ilioinguinal flaps, 5 were pedicled with the superficial circumflex iliac artery, 3 with the superficial abdominal artery with relatively large caliber, 1 with the common trunk of the superficial circumflex iliac artery and the superficial abdominal artery, and 1 flap was anastomosed with the superficial circumflex iliac artery and bridged the superficial abdominal artery for intra-arterial supercharge. Unilateral expanded ilioinguinal flap combined with ipsilateral paraumbilical perforator flap were harvested in 4 cases, bilateral expanded ilioinguinal flaps were harvested in 1 case, and unilateral expanded ilioinguinal flap was harvested in 2 cases. Except for 1 case being transplanted with autologous split-thickness scalp to repair the flap donor site after combined resection of bilateral expanded ilioinguinal flaps, the donor sites of the other patients were sutured directly. All the flaps survived after operation without tip necrosis or wound residue. Follow-up for 3-30 (15±10) months showed that the flap was soft and not bloated, the function and appearance of the recipient area were significantly improved compared with those before operation, and the appearance of the donor sites was good. At the last follow-up, the patients' satisfaction with the treatment effect of the surgical site scored 4-5 (4.5±0.4). Conclusions: The expanded ilioinguinal flap can be obtained in a large area. It has the advantages of rich blood supply, less damage to the donor site, concealed location, and being convenient to be resected and transplanted in combination with the paraumbilical perforator flap. It is suitable for the clinical reconstruction and treatment of severe scar contracture deformity after extensive burns.
Burns/surgery* ; Cicatrix/surgery* ; Contracture/surgery* ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Perforator Flap ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures/methods* ; Saline Solution ; Skin Transplantation ; Soft Tissue Injuries/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome

Objective: To explore the clinical effects of free transplantation of expanded thoracodorsal artery perforator flaps in reconstructing cervical cicatrix contracture deformity after burns. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted. From May 2018 to April 2021, 11 patients with cervical cicatrix contracture deformity after burns who met the inclusion criteria were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University, including 3 males and 8 females, aged 5 to 46 years, with a course of cervical cicatrix contracture deformity of 5 months to 8 years. The degree of cervical cicatrix contracture deformity was degree Ⅰ in one patient, degree Ⅱ in nine patients, and degree Ⅲ in one patient. In the first stage, according to the sizes of neck scars, one rectangular skin and soft tissue expander (hereinafter referred to as expander) with rated capacity of 200 to 600 mL was placed in the back. The expansion time was 4 to 12 months with the total normal saline injection volume being 3.0 to 3.5 times of the rated capacity of expander. In the second stage, free expanded thoracodorsal artery perforator flaps with areas of 10 cm×7 cm to 24 cm×13 cm were cut out to repair the wounds with areas of 9 cm×6 cm to 23 cm×12 cm which was formed after cervical cicatectomy. The main trunk of thoracodorsal artery and vein were selected for end-to-end anastomosis with facial artery and vein, and the donor sites were directly closed. The survival of flaps and healing of flap donor sites were observed on the 14^th day post surgery. The appearances and cicatrix contracture deformity of the flaps, recovery of cervical function, and scar hyperplasia of donor sites were followed up. Results: On the 14^th day post surgery, the flaps of ten patients survived, while ecchymosis and epidermal necrosis occurred in the center of flap of one patient and healed 2 weeks after dressing change. On the 14^th day post surgery, the flap donor sites of 11 patients all healed well. During the follow-up of 6-12 months post surgery, the flaps of ten patients were similar to the skin around the recipient site in texture and color, while the flap of one patient was slightly swollen. All of the 11 patients had good recovery of cervical function and no obvious scar hyperplasia nor contracture in the flaps or at the donor sites. Conclusions: Application of expanded thoracodorsal artery perforator flaps can restore the appearance and function of the neck, and cause little damage to the donor site in reconstructing the cervical cicatrix contracture deformity after burns, which is worthy of clinical reference and application.
Arteries ; Burns/surgery* ; Cicatrix/surgery* ; Contracture/surgery* ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Male ; Perforator Flap ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Skin Transplantation ; Soft Tissue Injuries/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome

Objective: To explore the clinical effects of three-dimensional printed preformed titanium mesh combined with latissimus dorsi muscle flap free transplantation in the treatment of wounds with skull defect after radical surgery of squamous cell carcinoma in the vertex. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted. From January 2010 to December 2019, 5 patients with squamous cell carcinoma in the vertex accompanied with skull invasion who met the inclusion criteria were admitted to the Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University, including four males and one female, aged 50 to 65 years. The original lesion areas ranged from 5 cm×4 cm to 15 cm×8 cm. The titanium mesh was prefabricated via three-dimensional technic based on the result the scope of skull resection predicted with computerized tomography three-dimensional reconstruction before surgery. During the first stage, the soft tissue defect area of scalp (8 cm×7 cm to 18 cm×11 cm) after tumor enlargement resection was repaired with the preformed titanium mesh, and the titanium mesh was covered with latissimus dorsi muscle flap, with area of 10 cm×9 cm to 20 cm×13 cm. The thoracodorsal artery/vein was anastomosed with the superficial temporal artery/vein on one side. The muscle ends in the donor site were sutured together or performed with transfixion, and then the skin on the back were covered back to the donor site. On the 10th day after the first-stage surgery, the second-stage surgery was performed. The thin intermediate thickness skin graft was taken from the anterolateral thigh to cover the latissimus dorsi muscle flap. The duration and intraoperative blood loss of first-stage surgery were recorded. The postoperative muscle flap survival after the first-stage surgery and skin graft survival after the second-stage surgery was observed. The occurrence of complications, head appearance, and recurrence of tumor were followed up. Results: The average first-stage surgery duration of patients was 12.1 h, and the intraoperative blood loss was not more than 1 200 mL. The muscle flaps in the first-stage surgery and the skin grafts in the second-stage surgery all survived well. During the follow-up of 6-18 months, no complications such as exposure of titanium mesh or infection occurred, with good shape in the recipient sites in the vertex, and no recurrence of tumor. Conclusions: Three-dimensional printed preformed titanium mesh combined with latissimus dorsi muscle flap free transplantation and intermediate thickness skin graft cover is an effective and reliable method for repairing the wound with skull defect after extended resection of squamous cell carcinoma in the vertex. This method can cover the wound effectively as well as promote both recipient and donor sites to obtain good function and appearance.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/surgery* ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Perforator Flap ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures/methods* ; Scalp/surgery* ; Skin Transplantation ; Skull/surgery* ; Soft Tissue Injuries/surgery* ; Superficial Back Muscles/surgery* ; Surgical Mesh ; Titanium ; Treatment Outcome

Objective: To observe the clinical effects of free latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap combined with artificial dermis and split-thickness skin graft in the treatment of degloving injury in lower limbs. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted. From December 2017 to December 2020, 8 patients with large skin and soft tissue defect caused by degloving injury in lower extremity were admitted to Ningbo No.6 Hospital, including 5 males and 3 females, aged from 39 to 75 years, with wound area of 25 cm×12 cm-61 cm×34 cm. The free latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap with latissimus dorsi muscle in the width of 12-15 cm and flap area of 20 cm×8 cm-32 cm×8 cm was used to repair the skin and soft tissue defect of bone/tendon exposure site or functional area. The other defect was repaired with bilayer artificial dermis, and the flap donor site was sutured directly. After the artificial dermis was completely vascularized, the split-thickness skin graft from thigh was excised and extended at a ratio of 1∶2 to 1∶4 and then transplanted to repair the residual wound, and the donor site of skin graft was treated by dressing change. The survival of latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap, artificial dermis, and split-thickness skin graft after operation was observed, the interval time between artificial dermis transplantation and split-thickness skin graft transplantation was recorded, and the healing of donor site was observed. The appearance and function of operative area were followed up. At the last outpatient follow-up, the sensory recovery of flap was evaluated by British Medical Research Council evaluation criteria, the flap function was evaluated by the comprehensive evaluation standard of flap in Operative Hand Surgery, the scar of lower limb skin graft area and thigh skin donor area was evaluated by Vancouver scar scale, and the patient's satisfaction with the curative effects was asked. Results: The latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap survived in 6 patients, while the distal tip of latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap was partially necrotic in 2 patient and was repaired by skin grafting after resection at split-thickness skin grafting. The artificial dermis survived in all 8 patients after transplantation. The split-thickness skin graft survived in 7 patients, while partial necrosis of the split-thickness skin graft occurred in one patient and was repaired by skin grafting again. The interval time between artificial dermis transplantation and split-thickness skin graft transplantation was 15-26 (20±5) d. The donor site of latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap healed with linear scar after operation, and the thigh skin graft donor site healed with scar after operation. The patients were followed up for 6-18 (12.5±2.3) months. The color and elasticity of the flap were similar to those of the surrounding skin tissue, and the lower limb joint activity returned to normal. There was no increase in linear scar at the back donor site or obvious hypertrophic scar at the thigh donor site. At the last outpatient follow-up, the sensation of the flap recovered to grade S₂ or S₃; 3 cases were excellent, 4 cases were good, and 1 case was fair in flap function; the Vancouver scar scale score of lower limb skin graft area was 4-7 (5.2±0.9), and the Vancouver scar scale score of thigh skin donor area was 1-5 (3.4±0.8). The patients were fairly satisfied with the curative effects. Conclusions: In repairing the large skin and soft tissue defect from degloving injury in lower extremity, to cover the exposed bone/tendon or functional area with latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap and the residual wound with artificial dermis and extended split-thickness skin graft is accompanied by harvest of small autologous flap and skin graft, good recovery effect of functional area after surgery, and good quality of healing in skin grafted area.
Cicatrix/surgery* ; Degloving Injuries/surgery* ; Dermis/surgery* ; Female ; Humans ; Lower Extremity/surgery* ; Male ; Mammaplasty ; Myocutaneous Flap ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Skin Transplantation ; Soft Tissue Injuries/surgery* ; Superficial Back Muscles/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome

Objective: To investigate the clinical effects of en bloc resection and debridement combined with gluteus maximus muscle flap in the treatment of ischial tubercle pressure ulcer complicated with chronic osteomyelitis. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted. From May 2018 to February 2020, 8 patients with pressure ulcers on the ischial tuberosity combined with chronic osteomyelitis who met the inclusion criteria were admitted to Fuyang Minsheng Hospital, including 5 males and 3 females, aged 38-69 years, with unilateral lesions in 6 patients and bilateral lesions in 2 patients. According to the anatomical classification of Cierny-Mader osteomyelitis, there were 6 patients (7 sides) with focal type, and 2 patients (3 sides) with diffuse type. The wound areas were 3 cm×2 cm to 12 cm×9 cm on admission. The pressure ulcer and chronic osteomyelitis lesions were completely removed by en bloc resection and debridement. The chronic infectious lesions were transformed into sterile incisions like fresh wounds by one surgical procedure, and the gluteus maximus muscle flaps with areas of 10 cm×6 cm to 15 cm×9 cm were excised to transfer and fill the ineffective cavity. The wounds of 5 patients were sutured directly, and the wounds of 3 patients were closed by local flap transfer. The intraoperative blood loss volume and blood transfusion, and length of hospital stay of patients were recorded. The incision healing and flap survival of patients were observed after operation. The recurrence of pressure ulcer and osteomyelitis, the appearance of the affected area, and the secondary dysfunction and deformity of the muscle flap donor site of patients were observed during followed up. Results: The intraoperative blood loss volume of the 8 patients was 220 to 900 (430±150) mL; 5 patients received intraoperative blood transfusion, of which 2 patients received 3 U suspended red blood cells and 3 patients received 2 U suspended red blood cells. The length of hospital stay was 18 to 29 (23.5±2.0) d for the 8 patients. In this group of patients, the incisions of 7 patients healed, while in one case, the incision suture was torn off during turning over and healed after secondary suture. The flaps survived well in 3 patients who underwent local flap transfer. During the follow-up period of 6-20 months, no recurrence of pressure ulcer or osteomyelitis occurred in 8 patients, the affected part had skin with good texture, mild pigmentation, and no sinus tract formation, and no secondary dysfunction or deformity occurred in the donor site. Conclusions: The en bloc resection and debridement combined with gluteus maximus muscle flap has good clinical effects on ischial tubercle pressure ulcer complicated with chronic osteomyelitis. Neither pressure ulcer nor osteomyelitis recurs post operation. The skin texture and appearance of the affected area are good, and the donor site has no secondary dysfunction or deformity.
Blood Loss, Surgical ; Debridement ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Muscles/surgery* ; Osteomyelitis/surgery* ; Perforator Flap ; Pressure Ulcer/surgery* ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Skin Transplantation ; Soft Tissue Injuries/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome