OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of free latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap transplantation combined with external fixation in the treatment of bone and soft tissue defects around the knee joint. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 13 patients with high-energy trauma-induced bone and soft tissue defects around the knee joint admitted between January 2016 and July 2023. Among them, 11 were male and 2 were female, the age ranged from 23 to 61 years, with an average of 35.7 years. The causes of injury included 10 cases of traffic accident, 2 cases of machine entanglement injury, and 1 case of heavy object crush injury. According to the Gustilo-Anderson classification, 11 cases were type Ⅲ B and 2 cases were type Ⅲ C. Post-injury, 2 cases had wound infection and 2 cases had popliteal artery injury. The time from injury to flap repair was 40-49 days, with an average of 27.5 days. The wound size was 18 cm×13 cm to 32 cm×20 cm, all accompanied by distal femoral bone defects and quadriceps muscle defects. After primary debridement, vacuum sealing drainage combined with external fixation was used for treatment. In the second stage, free latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flaps were transplanted to repair soft tissue defects, with the flap size ranging from 20 cm×15 cm to 34 cm×22 cm. The donor sites of 9 flaps were directly sutured, and 4 cases with large tension were repaired with a keystone flap based on the posterior intercostal artery perforator. At 6-15 months postoperatively, with an average of 10.5 months, 11 patients underwent knee arthrodesis surgery; 2 patients with large bone defects at the distal femur and proximal tibia underwent multi-segment bone transport reconstruction of the bone defect. At last follow-up, the recovery of the flap and the donor site was recorded, and the function of the shoulder joint was evaluated by the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, and the function of the affected knee joint was evaluated by the Knee Society Score (KSS). RESULTS: All the flaps survived after operation, the wounds and donor site incisions healed by first intention. All 13 patients were followed up 15-55 months, with an average of 21.6 months. Four patients who underwent the restoration of the donor site with the thoracodorsal keystone perforator flap had obvious scar hyperplasia around the wound, but no contracture or symmetrical breasts on both sides. At last follow-up, the appearance and texture of the flaps were good; the bony fusion of the knee joint was good, and the range of motion and function recovered well; the shoulder joint function on the flap-harvested side was not significantly affected, and the range of motion was satisfactory. The ASES shoulder joint score of the latissimus dorsi muscle-harvested side was 85-95, with an average of 89.5. The knee joint function KSS score was 75-90, with an average of 81.2. CONCLUSION Free latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap transplantation combined with external fixation for the treatment of bone and soft tissue defects around the knee joint caused by high-energy trauma can repair bone and soft tissue defects and reconstruct the stability of the knee joint, effectively preserve the integrity of the limb and soft tissues, and improve the patient's ability of self-care.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Soft Tissue Injuries/surgery* ; Plastic Surgery Procedures/methods* ; Superficial Back Muscles/transplantation* ; External Fixators ; Myocutaneous Flap/transplantation* ; Knee Joint/surgery* ; Young Adult ; Treatment Outcome ; Knee Injuries/surgery* ; Free Tissue Flaps/transplantation*

Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of two types of free gracilis musculocutaneous flap in transverse or vertical for reconstruction of the complex wound in calf.Methods:A retrospective series case study was conducted to analyse the clinical data of 22 patients who were treated in the Department of Microrepair and Reconstruction, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University for complex single wounds in calf from August 2019 to January 2023. The patients were 12 males and 10 females and aged 26-58 years old, with 46.7 years old in average. There were 12 wounds on the left calf and 10 on the right. Nine of the wounds were of car accident, 8 of iatrogenic complications, 3 of bone infection and 2 of tumour resection. The wounds sized at 10.0 cm× 5.0 cm - 15.0 cm×7.0 cm. Sixteen transverse gracilis myocutaneous flaps and 6 vertical gracilis myocutaneous flaps were designed and harvested to reconstruct complex wounds in calf. The flaps were 12.0 cm×6.0 cm - 22.0 cm×9.0 cm in size. Time for the gracilis myocutaneous flap harvesting and the time for whole surgery were recorded. The time for flap harvest was 40-60 minutes and the time for the whole surgery was 3- 5 hours. Flap donor sites were directly sutured. All patients were included in the regular postoperative follow-up at outpatient clinic or through telephone and WeChat interviews and the flap survival, long-term flap appearance, healing of donor and recipient sites and limb functions were observed.Results:All 22 flaps survived after surgery. One flap had a blue edge with blood oozing. Urgent surgical exploration revealed that embolization occurred at the anastomotic site between the great saphenous vein at the proximal end of the flap and the great saphenous vein at the recipient site. After removal of the thrombus, the veins were re-anastomosed and flap survived. All the donor sites healed in stage one and functioned well. All patients entered postoperative follow-up for 5-25 months, 14.42 months in average. The flaps were in satisfactory appearance with good texture. All recipient sites healed without complication. The infected wounds were controlled. Function of the limbs was evaluated according to the Punor functional assessment criteria with excellent for 15 patients, good for 5 and fair for 2.Conclusion:Application of free transverse and vertical layout of gracilis musculocutaneous flap is an effective method to reconstruct a complex wound in calf. The anastomosis of the great saphenous vein at the proximal end of the gracilis muscle flap with great saphenous vein or small saphenous vein at the recipient site can reduce the occurrence of venous occlusion.

Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of vascularised free fibula transfer in the treatment of infectious bone defects after the surgery of proximal and distal femoral fractures.Methods:The clinical data of 27 patients with femoral bone defects treated by vascularised free fibulae grafting with fibular artery and vein as pedicle from December 2010 to December 2022 were retrospectively analysed in the Department of Trauma and Microreconstructive Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University. There were 21 males and 6 females, at 17-72 years old, with a mean age of 41.7 years old. Twenty-one patients had bone defect of right femurs and 6 of left femurs. The length of bone defect ranged from 5.0 cm to 9.0 cm, with an average of 6.6 cm. The length of transferred fibulae ranged from 5.0 cm to 14.0 cm, with an average of 6.8 cm. Donor sites were carefully sutured layer by layer, and standardised antibiotic therapy was given before and after surgery. X-ray reviews of the affected limbs were taken at 1, 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months after surgery to observe the healing of the transferred fibulae and femurs to evaluate the time for full weight-bearing and removal of external frames. Before discharge, the patients were instructed to carry out pin tract care for prevention of infection. The psychological status of the patients was monitored at outpatient clinic or telephone interviews, and the functional recovery of the affected limbs was assessed using the Enneking lower limb function scoring system.Results:All of 27 patients were included in the postoperative follow-up from 19 months to 34 months, with a mean time of 26.1 months. The transferred fibulae survived with bone union. The bone healing time was from 5.1 months to 8.8 months, with an average of 7.1 months. Twenty-five patients had primary healing of the recipient site wound, and 2 patients had a sinus formed at the orifice of drainage with secretion, and the results of bacterial culture were negative. The sinuses healed after cleaning and dressing change at outpatient clinic. No stress fracture was observed from the transferred fibulae in all patients, as well as no recurrence of infection at recipient sites. The Enneking lower limb function score at the final follow-up ranged from 22 points to 27 points, with an average of 23.7 points.Conclusion:Anastomosis of vascularised free fibula in bone transfer is a feasible method to reconstruct the infected bone defects after proximal and distal femoral fractures. It provides reliable fixation and satisfactory bone healing for bone defects and facilitates the healing of transferred fibula and the recovery of lower limb function.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of pedicled latissimus dorsi flaps in reconstruction of large soft tissue defects around elbow.Methods:From January 2012 to January 2022, 12 patients with large soft tissue defects around elbow received reconstructive surgery with pedicled latissimus dorsi flaps in Department of Microreconstructive Surgery, The First Affliliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University. Partial latissimus dorsi flaps were employed to reconstruct The soft tissue defects around the posterolateral side of elbow in 6 patients. Functional reconstruction of anteromedial soft tissue defect around elbow with functional latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap combined with biceps muscle dynamic reconstruction was performed on other 6 patients. All patients were males and aged 18 to 57 years old, at 31.4 years old in average. Causes of injury: machine strangulation in 5 patients, traffic accident in 4 patients, machine crush in 2 patients, and fall from height in 1 patient. Injured sites: 5 patients had injury on right elbow and 7 on the left. The size of soft tissue defect ranged from 18.0 cm×10.0 cm to 51.0 cm×13.0 cm. The size of the flaps were at 30.0 cm×7.0 cm-55.0 cm×14.0 cm. The wounds at donor site were directly sutured. Follow-up included postoperative reviews via telephone, WeChat and visit to outpatient clinic. Mayo elbow performance scores(MEPS) at the last follow-up were recorded.Results:All 12 flaps survived, and all donor and recipient sites healed at stage I. The follow-ups lasted for 3 months to 2 years for all patients, with 18 months in average. Three months after operation, 1 patient underwent additional surgery for flap reduction due to a bloated flap and poor appearance. Six patients who received dynamic reconstruction myocutaneous flaps achieved grade IV in elbow flexion. Six patients with lateral elbow repaired with partial latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap showed that the appearance of the flap was not bulky and had no effect on the flexion and extension function of the elbow joint. All flaps survived well at the last follow-up, with soft texture and colour close to the surrounding normal skin. All donor sites healed well, leaving only linear scars. Motion of all elbows was good. The MEPS at the final follow-up was(90.6±6.4), with 10 patients in excellent and 2 in good.Conclusion:According to the location of elbow joint soft tissue defect, different types of latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flaps are used for reconstruction, which can achieve good clinical results.

Objective:To discuss the pedicled perforator flap around ankle in complicated replantation of severed traumatic midfoot.Methods:From May 2017 to December 2020, a total of 4 patients with severed midfoot combined with severely traumatic soft tissue defects were treated in the Department of Micro-orthopaedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Luohe Medical Collage. The patients were all males and aged from 22 to 53 (mean, 44) years old. Two patients had left foot injured and 2 in right foot. Causes of injuries: One patient was injured by strangulation of a corn harvester belt, and 3 were crushed by a heavy steel bar. Three patients had the severed sites at the level of intertarsal joint and 1 at the base of metatarsus. The time from injury to admission was 2.0-5.0(mean, 3.5) hours. The severed feet were replanted by anterograde method. Pedicled perforator flaps around ankle were used to repair the soft tissue defects of feet in emergency surgery or post first-stage surgery. The sizes of the flaps were 7.5 cm×8.0 cm-9.0 cm×19.0 cm. Scheduled follow-ups were arranged at outpatient clinic or by online reviews. Appearance, texture, colour, blood supply and sensory-motor function of the replanted feet and flaps were observed. The function of the foot and ankle was evaluated according to the American Orthopaedic Foot Ankle Association (AOFAS).Results:All 4 patients engaged follow-ups lasted for 13-36(mean, 19.5) months. Three replantations survived after surgery. In the other case, a chronic necrosis of the broken foot was caused by skin necrosis, wound infection, and vascular embolism. And then the necrotic forefoot was released, and the wound was later repaired with a flap based medial supramalleolar branches. A total of 5 flaps in 4 patients survived. All flaps were in good appearance with good texture and colour. All flaps healed primarily, and all skin grafts survived. All of the 4 patients could walked without assistance. Sensation restored to S 3. The patient with a failed replantation had left with a mild claudication. According to AOFAS, 2 patients were in excellent, 1 in good and 1 in fair at the last follow-up. Conclusion:Replantation of severed midfoot with an early application of pedicled perforator flap around ankle for reconstruction of severely traumatic defect is an effective and feasible treatment strategy.

Objective:To explore the clinical effect of keystone flap (KF) on repair of soft tissue defects at the donor site after flap transfer.Methods:From October 2020 to December 2022, in the Department of Microsurgical Rapair of First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, 12 patients were repaired with KF after transfer of flaps. There were 3 donor sites for lateral thigh myocutaneous flap, 3 for sural nerve nutrient vascular flap, 4 for latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap and 2 for medial supramalleolar island flap. Size of the KF was 15.0 cm × 12.0 cm-30.0 cm × 20.0 cm. Types of KF were: 3 of type I, 5 of type IIA, 2 of type IIB and 2 of type Sydney Melanoma Unit (SMU) modification KF design. Four patients were reviewed by telephone follow-up, 5 by WeChat and 3 with outpatient clinic visits to observe the appearance of the transferred KF and postoperative complications. Appearance of flaps was scored and analysed using Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) and Scar Cosmesis Assessment and Rating (SCAR) .Results:The average follow-up period was 15.9 (2-27) months. The colour and texture of the transferred KF were similar to that of the surrounding skin, together with good sensation recovery. No complication such as osteofascial compartment syndrome, necrosis, wound dehiscence and venous congestion occurred in all patients. At the final follow-up, the scores for VSS was 2.17±0.58 and the score for SCAR was 5.33±1.23, with satisfactory repairing outcomes.Conclusion:As a relay flap, the KF is a simple and effective flap for reconstruction of the defects at the donor site and it can avoid complications that can be caused by direct closure of the soft tissue defect or a wound dehiscence after skin grafting.

Objective:To establish a finite element model for bone transport before surgery in the treatment of femoral and tibial bone defects with external fixation and combined intramedullary nails with external fixations, and evaluate the stability and properties of biomechanics.Methods:Between May 2022 and August 2022, a male volunteer in the Department of Trauma and Microreconstructive Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University was selected. The right lower limb was scanned using 64-slice CT. Data were imported into Mimics 21.0 to establish normal geometric models of femur and tibia. The models were arranged in 4 groups: a femoral external fixator group, a femoral external fixator combined with intramedullary nail group, a tibial external fixator group and a tibial external fixator combined with intramedullary nail group. Hypermesh 10.0 was used for meshing. Finite element analysis was performed by Ansys v.11 to measure the distribution and characteristics of equivalent stress in the transported bone segment, proximal and distal tibia, and fixtures in the 2 treatment modalities, respectively.Results:Peak Von Mises equivalent stress of cortical bone and external fixation was found higher in both of the femoral and tibial external fixator combined with intramedullary nail groups than that in the external fixator group, with stress reduction on cortical bone at approximately 76.9% and 77.8%, respectively. The stress reduction on external fixator was about 81.4% and 76.3%, respectively. Peak displacement of the structure in both of the femoral and tibial external fixator combined with intramedullary nail groups was lower than that in the external fixator group, with 78.4% and 60.1% reduction in displacement, respectively.Conclusion:Bone transport with intramedullary nailing combined with external fixator in treatment of femoral and tibial defects would offer better biomechanical advantages. It can facilitates bone regeneration and bone mineralisation during distraction phase and consolidation phase.

Objective:To explore the clinical effect of the modified Quaba flap on reconstruction of the soft tissue defects in distal hand and foot.Methods:From August 2013 to March 2022, 36 cases of soft tissue defect in distal hand and foot were reconstructed by the modified Quaba flap in the Department of Microrepair and Reconstruction of Orthopaedic Centre, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University. There were 24 males and 12 females, aged 18 to 58 years old with an average age of 35.6 years old. The sizes of defect were 1.5 cm × 0.5 cm - 5.0 cm × 3.0 cm, including 28 in hand and 8 in foot. Of the defects, 26 were traumatic soft tissue defects, 5 were chronic hand infection and 5 were after resection of hand tumour. The sizes of flap employed were 5.0 cm × 1.5 cm - 10.0 cm × 6.5 cm. Method of optimization included: (1) Extended the paddle of propeller flap or made the rotation point being further; (2) Determined the perforator vessel that entered the pedicle, and made the perforating point as the location of rotation hence to maximise a blood flow; (3) Improved the pedicle mobility and reduced the angle of rotation of the flap; (4) The superficial vein in the pedicle was retained in the modified Quaba flap; (5) Properly retained the fascia tissue of the pedicle; (6) "Skinned-tail" design for the pedicle. All patients entered scheduled follow-up reviews at outpatient clinic and by telephone or WeChat interviews. Colour, texture, wound healing, complications at donor site and hand function were evaluated.Results:All flaps survived. The donor sites were directly closed in 27 patients, and skin grafts were applied in 9 patients. All patients were entered postoperative follow-up for 3-36(mean 24) months. All flaps had good colour and texture but with poor sensation. Wounds healed at the first attention. Hand functions(28 cases) were evaluated according to the Evaluation Trial Standards of Upper Limb Partial Functional of Hand Surgery of Chinese Medical Association. Hand function appeared excellent in 23 patients, good in 3 and fair in 2, with an excellent and good rate at 92.9%. Motion of all metacarpophalangeal joints were satisfactory. Flexion of metacarpophalangeal joints ranged from 65° to 90°, with an average of 80°. Dorsal extension ranged from 0° to 20° (mean 8°), without obvious joint pain. Foot functions(8 cases) were evaluated according to hallux metatarsophalangeal-interphalangeal scale of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS), 6 patients were in excellent and 2 in good.Conclusion:Modified Quaba flap is easy to harvest and with stable and reliable blood circulation. The optimised methods can extend the length of the paddle of the flap and shorten the rotation point. They are very effective methods in reconstruction of the soft tissue defect in distal hand and foot.

Objective:To study the preoperative CTA and 3D medical reconstruction software, aiming to provide an imaging basis for the preoperative design of peroneal artery perforator flap.Methods:From January 2016 to January 2018, 13 patients with soft tissue defect on foot were studied. Of the patients, 7 injuries were caused by traffic accident, 2 by machine crush and 4 by heavy object crush. The size of defect ranged from 5.0 cm×3.0 cm to 17.0 cm×10.0 cm. CTA technology was used to obtain the images of the affected lower limb, and the 3D visual reconstruction of peroneal artery perforators was generated by using Mimics software. The distribution of peroneal artery perforator was observed. The preoperative design of the flap was completed with the tools come with the software package. The peroneal artery perforator flap was harvested according to the design by computer simulation. Data taken before the surgery were compared with the data taken in the operation. Then the flap was rotated 180° to repair the defect. Regular follow-ups were made in outpatient clinic or via internet after operation. The appearance, texture, colour and blood supply of the flap were observed. The function of foot and ankle was scored according to the American Orthopaedic Foot Ankle Association(AOFAS). Results:A visible 3D flap model of the peroneal artery perforator flap was successfully reconstructed by Mimics software. The anatomical characteristics and region of blood supply of the 13 cases were basically comparable to what were found in the operation. The size of the flap was 6.0 cm×4.0 cm-18.0 cm×11.0 cm. All the flaps survived completely. All the patients completed 6-17(mean, 8.1) months follow-up. The colour and texture of the flaps were good. At the last follow-up, according to the AOFAS score, 7 cases were in excellent, 4 in good and 2 in fair, with an excellent and good rate at 84.61%.Conclusion:Aided by digital technology, it provides a visual 3D morphological support for the design of peroneal artery perforator flap and overcomes the blind spot in the preoperative design, hence it leads to an accurate harvest of the flap in operation.

Objective:To evaluate the effect and mechanism of bone regeneration in distraction osteogenesis zone after the repair of sciatic nerve in rats.Methods:Between January 2021 and August 2021, 60 healthy adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided randomly into 3 groups: Group A, B, and C. In groups B and C, right sciatic nerve transection and anastomosis were performed. Then after 8 and 12 weeks, the 3 groups were treated with extension external fixation (Ilizarov technique) of right femur osteotomy to make distraction osteogenesis model. Electrophysiological changes of peripheral nerves were monitored by electromyography (EMG) pre-and postoperatively in all the femoral lengthening rats. The formation of callus was examined by X-ray every week after operation. The rats were sacrificed on 2nd, 4th, 6th weeks after the bone transport operation. Four-point bending test and histological staining examination were carried out to determine the osteogenesis in the distracted area. SPSS 21.0 was used for statistical analysis. Data of measurement were expressed as (Mean±SD). A non-parametric test was used to assess the statistical difference between groups. Graphs were plotted by GraphPad Prism 8.0 and considered statistically significant when P<0.05. Results:The results of Sciatic nerve function index (SFI), Compound muscle action potential (CMAP) and Motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) in group A were better than the group B and group C in both of before and after the surgery. At the 2nd and 4th weeks of the consolidation stage, X-ray showed that bone formation in group B was superior to groups A and C; HE and Safranin O staining showed that local capillary and cartilage formation in group B was significantly more than in groups A and C; Immunohistochemical staining showed that the expression levels of Osteopontin(Opn) and Osteocalcin(Ocn) in the distraction area of group B were higher than that of groups A and C. At the 6th week of the consolidation stage, the four-point bending test showed that the bone quality of group B was better than groups A and C. The differences of the results between groups shown above had statistical significance ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Bone regeneration in the distraction area of the bone lengthening group with sciatic nerve injury was better than that of the bone lengthening group without a never injury. This might be in relation to the fact that a distractive osteogenesis caused the secondary injury to the repaired nerve. The electrophysiological results showed that periodic changes took place in the repaired sciatic nerve caused by the stretch of femoral lengthening, and the injurious changes of sciatic nerve would be gradually relieved in 6th week after surgery.