OBJECTIVE: To review the clinical applications of functional perforator flaps in restoring human body functions. METHODS: An extensive literature review was conducted on both domestic and international publications to summarize the clinical use of functional perforator flaps for functional restoration. RESULTS: Perforator flaps are among the most commonly used flaps in reconstructive surgery. Beyond providing soft tissue repair, they are increasingly employed to reconstruct diverse bodily functions, leading us to propose the concept of the "functional perforator flap". Although various forms of functional perforator flaps are currently utilized, reports are predominantly scattered case studies, lacking systematic organization. Commonly used functional perforator flaps can be categorized into five types: chimeric perforator flaps, perforator flaps for nerve function restoration, perforator flaps for lymphatic drainage enhancement, flow-through perforator flaps, and perforator flaps for restoring bone and joint motion. These flaps significantly broaden the application scope of perforator flaps, elevating the goal of reconstruction from mere wound repair to achieving repair concurrent with functional reconstruction. CONCLUSION The application of various functional perforator flap designs significantly improves wound reconstruction outcomes and represents an effective approach for managing complex defects. Future developments will undoubtedly see more forms of functional perforator flaps reported to meet increasingly sophisticated reconstructive demands.
Humans ; Perforator Flap/blood supply* ; Plastic Surgery Procedures/methods* ; Soft Tissue Injuries/surgery* ; Skin Transplantation/methods* ; Wound Healing

Objective:To investigate the effectiveness of sequential flap transfer technique in the reconstruction of extensive faciocervical scar.Methods:The clinical data of patients with extensive faciocervical scar admitted to the Scar Comprehensive Treatment Center of Plastic Surgery Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from June 2010 to April 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Pre-expanded medial arm flap or supraclavicular artery perforator plus flap were harvested and used as the first flap to repair the defects left by faciocervical scar resection. Latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flaps or thoracodorsal artery perforator flaps were harvested from the ipsilateral back and used as the second flap to repair the donor sites of the first flap. Donor sites at the back were directly sutured. The survival of flaps, the morphology of donor sites and recipient sites and the scar of donor site were followed up.Results:A total of 13 patients, aged from 5 to 36 years (median age, 14 years), were included, including 8 males and 5 females. Twelve of the 13 cases were post-burn scar, including facial scars in 5 cases, cervical scar in 1 case and faciocervical scar in 6 cases. One case of scar was caused by radiotherapy for facial hemangioma. The size of defects after scar resection and release ranged from 12.0 cm × 8.0 cm to 24.5 cm × 8.0 cm. The operation was successfully completed in all cases. Three pre-expanded supraclavicular artery perforator plus flaps and 10 pre-expanded medial arm flaps, measuring 23.0 cm × 7.0 cm to 27.0 cm ×14.0 cm, were used as the first flap; five latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flaps and eight thoracodorsal artery perforator flaps, measuring 18.0 cm × 7.0 cm to 25.0 cm × 10.0 cm, were used as the second flap. One patient developed hematoma at two days after the pedicle division of medial arm flap and the flap survived completely after removal of the hematoma. Other flaps survived without complications and the incisions were healed in one stage. Patients were followed up for 1 to 48 months, with a median follow-up of 13 months. The color, texture, and thickness of flaps were similar to those of the recipient site. All patients were satisfied with the cosmetic result of recipient sites and donor sites.Conclusion:The sequential flap transfer technique could improve the reconstructive ability of pre-expanded medial arm flap and supraclavicular artery perforator plus flap in surgical treatment of extensive faciocervical scar, minimize the donor site morbidities, assist the closure of donor site and improve the overall outcomes.

Objective:To investigate the effectiveness of sequential flap transfer technique in the reconstruction of extensive faciocervical scar.Methods:The clinical data of patients with extensive faciocervical scar admitted to the Scar Comprehensive Treatment Center of Plastic Surgery Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from June 2010 to April 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Pre-expanded medial arm flap or supraclavicular artery perforator plus flap were harvested and used as the first flap to repair the defects left by faciocervical scar resection. Latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flaps or thoracodorsal artery perforator flaps were harvested from the ipsilateral back and used as the second flap to repair the donor sites of the first flap. Donor sites at the back were directly sutured. The survival of flaps, the morphology of donor sites and recipient sites and the scar of donor site were followed up.Results:A total of 13 patients, aged from 5 to 36 years (median age, 14 years), were included, including 8 males and 5 females. Twelve of the 13 cases were post-burn scar, including facial scars in 5 cases, cervical scar in 1 case and faciocervical scar in 6 cases. One case of scar was caused by radiotherapy for facial hemangioma. The size of defects after scar resection and release ranged from 12.0 cm × 8.0 cm to 24.5 cm × 8.0 cm. The operation was successfully completed in all cases. Three pre-expanded supraclavicular artery perforator plus flaps and 10 pre-expanded medial arm flaps, measuring 23.0 cm × 7.0 cm to 27.0 cm ×14.0 cm, were used as the first flap; five latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flaps and eight thoracodorsal artery perforator flaps, measuring 18.0 cm × 7.0 cm to 25.0 cm × 10.0 cm, were used as the second flap. One patient developed hematoma at two days after the pedicle division of medial arm flap and the flap survived completely after removal of the hematoma. Other flaps survived without complications and the incisions were healed in one stage. Patients were followed up for 1 to 48 months, with a median follow-up of 13 months. The color, texture, and thickness of flaps were similar to those of the recipient site. All patients were satisfied with the cosmetic result of recipient sites and donor sites.Conclusion:The sequential flap transfer technique could improve the reconstructive ability of pre-expanded medial arm flap and supraclavicular artery perforator plus flap in surgical treatment of extensive faciocervical scar, minimize the donor site morbidities, assist the closure of donor site and improve the overall outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the feasibility of using indocyanine green angiography in mapping the superficial temporal vessels and assisting design and harvesting of the superficial temporal artery based forehead flap. METHODS: A clinical data of 14 patients with facial soft tissue defects repaired with superficial temporal artery based forehead flaps between October 2015 and November 2022 was retrospectively analyzed. There were 9 males and 5 females with a median age of 9.5 years (range, 3-38 years). The forehead flaps were used to reconstruct facial soft tissue defects following excision of facial scar (8 cases) or congenital melanocyte nevus (6 cases). The size of defects ranged from 3 cm×2 cm to 24 cm×9 cm. Before operation, the indocyanine green angiography was used to map the superficial temporal artery and vein, and to analyze the relationship of the arteries and veins. The forehead flaps with unilateral superficial temporal fascia as the pedicle was transferred to repair the small facial defect in 2 cases. The facial pedicle contained the frontal branch of the superficial temporal artery and 2 cm of the superficial temporal fascia around the vessel, and the tiny accompanying vein of the frontal branch of the superficial temporal artery was used as the outflow of the flap. The forehead flaps with the skin pedicle including bilateral or unilateral superficial temporal fascia and the overlying skin was pre-expanded and transferred to repair the large facial defect in 12 cases. The skin pedicle contained the frontal branch of superficial temporal artery and one of main branches of superficial temporal vein. Among the 12 cases, the frontal branch of superficial temporal vein was used as the outflow in 4 cases, and the parietal branch was used as the outflow in 8 cases. The size of the flaps ranged from 3 cm×2 cm to 30 cm×13 cm. The skin pedicles were divided at 3 weeks after the flap transfer. RESULTS: Indocyanine green angiography could clearly showed the course and branching of the superficial temporal artery and vein. Individual differences existed in the location where the frontal branch of the superficial temporal artery entered the forehead. The superficial temporal vein had great variability and did not follow the artery. One patient had expander-related complication, which resulted in 3-cm flap necrosis. The necrotic tissue was debrided and repaired with skin grafting. The other flaps totally survived and the incisions healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 2-24 months, with a median of 11.5 months. The color, texture, and thickness of the flaps matched well with those of recipient sites. Hypertrophic scar was not observed in recipient or donor site. All patients were satisfied with the reconstructive outcomes. CONCLUSION Indocyanine green angiography can clearly visualize the course and the branches of the superficial temporal arteries and veins, which can help surgeons understand the position, distribution, and concomitant relationship of the superficial temporal vessels, and make a rational surgical plan of the forehead flap.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Child, Preschool ; Child ; Adolescent ; Young Adult ; Adult ; Temporal Arteries/surgery* ; Indocyanine Green ; Forehead/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies ; Skin Transplantation ; Angiography ; Soft Tissue Injuries/surgery* ; Perforator Flap/blood supply* ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To review the research progress of the principle and clinical application of keloid core excision technique. METHODS: The literature on keloid core excision technique at home and abroad in recent years was extensively reviewed, and the principle, development history, indications, advantages and disadvantages of this technique were summarized, and the existing controversies were analyzed. RESULTS: Keloid core excision is a technique to remove the inner fibrous core from the keloid and cover the defect with the keloidal flap. It reduces the wound tension, yields good aesthetic results in the treatment of ear keloids, and reduces the recurrence rate of keloids combining with adjuvant therapies. CONCLUSION The keloid core excision technique has specific advantages, yet its overall efficacy remains controversial. Further studies are imperative to explore the mechanisms regarding keloid recurrence and the vascular supply principles of the keloidal flap. It is also necessary to define appropriate surgical indications and safety protocols of this technique.
Humans ; Keloid/pathology* ; Recurrence ; Surgical Flaps/pathology* ; Plastic Surgery Procedures ; Treatment Outcome

Plastic surgeons did a lot of work to contribute to the development of microsurgery. This paper briefly reviewed the history of microsurgery in Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. In the 1950s, Plastic Surgery Hospital took the lead in carrying out animal experiment of microsurgery. In the 1980s, Professor Ruyao Song established a microsurgical laboratory in the hospital and a training program for young doctors, which has been lasted till now and many excellent microsurgeons used to receive the training program. Since then, microsurgery has been widely used and associated research has been performed. Generations of doctors pursued to innovate in the field of microsurgery, making microsurgical technique become the main reconstructive modality in Plastic Surgery Hospital. Those doctors made great contributions to the development of microsurgery in the world. This paper divided the research scope of the microsurgery in Plastic Surgery Hospital into two parts as basic research and clinical research. Detailed historical events in both parts were reviewed.

Objective:To establish a standardized burn injury in rat model and to explore effect of the burn injury to choke vessel of dorsal skin flap in the rat model.Methods:114 male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups, 38 rats of each group. The dorsal three-perforasome perforator flap of rats in different groups was contacted with 100 ℃ water for 10, 15 or 20 seconds, respectively. Blood perfusion of the injured area was monitored for 7 days using PeriCam PSI system. Lead oxide-gelatine angiogram was performed to observe distribution of skin vessels. Histological analysis was performed to observe depth of burn injury and quantify the microvascular density and diameter. The measurement datas were expressed as Mean±SD, and statistical analysis was performed by t-test, one-way ANOVA and resuable ANOVA. Results:10, 15, 20-s scald resulted in a superficial second-degree burns, a deep second-degree burns, and deep third-degree burns, respectively. At day 7 after burn injury, perfusion was comparable with the pre-burn level in the 10 s-scalding group[speckle flow index (SFI): 143.25±30.40 vs. 140.28±26.35, P=0.828], was slightly lower than pre-burn level in the 15 s-scalding group (106.20±10.30 vs. 119.31±9.66, P=0.072), and significantly decreased in the 20 s-scalding group (67.49±19.93 vs. 136.37±18.96, P=0.001). The density of the blood vessels in the entire three-perforasome area recovered to the pre-burn level within 14 days in the 10 s-scalding group, slightly increased in the 15 s-scalding group, and obviously decreased in the 20 s-scalding group. At day 7 after burn injury, the microvascular density in the choke vessel zone was equal to the pre-burn level in the 10 s-scalding group [(29.16±2.38)/mm 2 vs. (27.74±3.66)/mm 2, P=0.696] and 20 s-scalding group [(30.80±2.27)/mm 2 vs. (27.74±3.66)/mm 2, P=0.407], and significantly increased in the 15 s-scalding group [(36.68±4.65)/mm 2 vs. (27.74±3.66)/mm 2, P=0.027]. At day 7 after burn injury, the microvascular diameter of choke vessels was equal to the pre-burn level in the 10 s-scalding group [(35.61±2.49) μm vs. (41.74±3.31) μm, P=0.938] and 15 s-scalding group [(52.88±4.97) μm vs. (41.74±3.31) μm, P=0.058], and was significantly decreased in the 20 s-scalding group [(37.57±5.33) μm vs. (41.74±3.31) μm, P=0.001]. Conclusions:The superficial second-degree burn injury don’t impact the choke vessels. The deep second-degree burn injury increased the microvascular density in the choke vessel zone and the post-burn blood perfusion can recover to the pre-burn level. The deep third-degree burn injury damage the blood vessels in the dorsal skin and the perfusion can not restore.

Plastic surgeons did a lot of work to contribute to the development of microsurgery. This paper briefly reviewed the history of microsurgery in Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. In the 1950s, Plastic Surgery Hospital took the lead in carrying out animal experiment of microsurgery. In the 1980s, Professor Ruyao Song established a microsurgical laboratory in the hospital and a training program for young doctors, which has been lasted till now and many excellent microsurgeons used to receive the training program. Since then, microsurgery has been widely used and associated research has been performed. Generations of doctors pursued to innovate in the field of microsurgery, making microsurgical technique become the main reconstructive modality in Plastic Surgery Hospital. Those doctors made great contributions to the development of microsurgery in the world. This paper divided the research scope of the microsurgery in Plastic Surgery Hospital into two parts as basic research and clinical research. Detailed historical events in both parts were reviewed.

Objective:To establish a standardized burn injury in rat model and to explore effect of the burn injury to choke vessel of dorsal skin flap in the rat model.Methods:114 male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups, 38 rats of each group. The dorsal three-perforasome perforator flap of rats in different groups was contacted with 100 ℃ water for 10, 15 or 20 seconds, respectively. Blood perfusion of the injured area was monitored for 7 days using PeriCam PSI system. Lead oxide-gelatine angiogram was performed to observe distribution of skin vessels. Histological analysis was performed to observe depth of burn injury and quantify the microvascular density and diameter. The measurement datas were expressed as Mean±SD, and statistical analysis was performed by t-test, one-way ANOVA and resuable ANOVA. Results:10, 15, 20-s scald resulted in a superficial second-degree burns, a deep second-degree burns, and deep third-degree burns, respectively. At day 7 after burn injury, perfusion was comparable with the pre-burn level in the 10 s-scalding group[speckle flow index (SFI): 143.25±30.40 vs. 140.28±26.35, P=0.828], was slightly lower than pre-burn level in the 15 s-scalding group (106.20±10.30 vs. 119.31±9.66, P=0.072), and significantly decreased in the 20 s-scalding group (67.49±19.93 vs. 136.37±18.96, P=0.001). The density of the blood vessels in the entire three-perforasome area recovered to the pre-burn level within 14 days in the 10 s-scalding group, slightly increased in the 15 s-scalding group, and obviously decreased in the 20 s-scalding group. At day 7 after burn injury, the microvascular density in the choke vessel zone was equal to the pre-burn level in the 10 s-scalding group [(29.16±2.38)/mm 2 vs. (27.74±3.66)/mm 2, P=0.696] and 20 s-scalding group [(30.80±2.27)/mm 2 vs. (27.74±3.66)/mm 2, P=0.407], and significantly increased in the 15 s-scalding group [(36.68±4.65)/mm 2 vs. (27.74±3.66)/mm 2, P=0.027]. At day 7 after burn injury, the microvascular diameter of choke vessels was equal to the pre-burn level in the 10 s-scalding group [(35.61±2.49) μm vs. (41.74±3.31) μm, P=0.938] and 15 s-scalding group [(52.88±4.97) μm vs. (41.74±3.31) μm, P=0.058], and was significantly decreased in the 20 s-scalding group [(37.57±5.33) μm vs. (41.74±3.31) μm, P=0.001]. Conclusions:The superficial second-degree burn injury don’t impact the choke vessels. The deep second-degree burn injury increased the microvascular density in the choke vessel zone and the post-burn blood perfusion can recover to the pre-burn level. The deep third-degree burn injury damage the blood vessels in the dorsal skin and the perfusion can not restore.

Objective:To explore the feasibility and technical tips of donor-site reconstruction of the latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap using the perforator propeller flap technique.Methods:Between July 2012 and January 2019, a total of 24 patients, including 9 males and 15 females, underwent reconstructions of defects in various locations using the latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap. The average patient age was 43.6 years (range, 4-81 years). Before surgery, perforators adjacent to the latissimus dorsi muscle were explored using an ultrasound Doppler probe and marked on the skin. A latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap was elevated according to the resultant defect following the removal of the lesion and transferred to reconstruct the defect. The donor-site defects were reconstructed using one, dual, or even triple perforator propeller flap.Results:All the 24 myocutaneous flaps survived completely. The dimension and width of the myocutaneous flaps ranged from 16 cm × 11 cm to 33 cm × 17 cm and 9 cm to 20 cm, respectively. The donor-site defects of the myocutaneous flap were all closed by perforator propeller flaps including 22 pedicled flaps and 2 free flaps. The defect was reconstructed by one perforator propeller flap in 12 patients, two flaps in 11, and three flaps in the remaining one patient. There were 36 posterior intercostal artery perforator propeller flaps and one freestyle perforator propeller flap. The size, pedicle length, and rotation angle of the propeller flaps were 13 cm × 5 cm to 23 cm × 14 cm, 3 cm to 6 cm, and 90 to 180 degrees, respectively. All the donor sites of the perforator propeller flaps were closed primarily. Total necrosis of the propeller flap occurred in one patient and small-sized distal flap necrosis in another one. The remaining propeller flaps survived completely. All patients were followed up for one to 38 months and the mean follow-up time was 7 months. Tumor recurrence was noticed in four patients. All patients were satisfied with the final functional and aesthetic outcomes.Conclusions:Using the perforator propeller flaps could guarantee not only harvesting a wide latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap, but also primary donor-site closure of the myocutaneous flap, and therefore greatly improve the versatility and capability of the latissimus dorsi myocutaneous in defect reconstruction.