Objective:To explore the short-term efficacy on 3D printing assisted reconstruction of traumatic digit joint defects using rib and costo-osteochondral autograft.Methods:From August 2022 to July 2023, 7 patients with open digit joint defects had undergone emergency primary debridement and fracture fixation in the Department of Orthopaedics, 988th Hospital of the Joint Logistics Support Force of PLA. Patients with more phalangeal defects that could not be aligned were treated with antibiotic bone cement filling in the emergency surgery. In the second stage surgery, bone cement was removed and transfer of rib cartilage graft was performed to reconstruct the digit joint defect. According to a 1∶1 3D printed hand templates, rib cartilage grafts were crafted to the shape of digit joints, and then spliced together the digit joints and bone defects for fixation. Follow-up X-ray examinations were taken and assessment of the healing status of rib and fractures of phalangeal and metacarpophalangeal bones were carried out according to the Paley fracture healing score. At the outpatient follow-up, assessment of transferred joint movement and evaluation of upper limb function were conducted according to the Evaluation Trial Standards of Upper Limb Partial Functional of Hand Surgery of Chinese Medical Association. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) pain scores were evaluated from the affected digits and donor sites.Results:After reconstructive surgery, all 7 patients had primary healing of the wounds of hand. One patient had fat liquefaction at the donor site, and the rest had primary donor site healing. One patient received further surgery for extensor tendon repair after rib cartilage grafting due to the digital extensor tendon injury. All 7 patients were included in postoperative follow-up for 6-11 months, with an average of 9 months. All patients had excellent fracture healing according to the Paley fracture healing score. At the final follow-up, the extension and flexion of the digit joints were found at 40°-80° (average 56.2°) for proximal interphalangeal joints (4 patients), and 10° in extension and 85° in flexion for metacarpophalangeal joint (1 patient). The range of motion of the thumb interphalangeal joint (2 patients) was 20°-35° (average 27.5°). Hand function was assessed according to Evaluation Trial Standards of Upper Limb Partial Functional of Hand Surgery of Chinese Medical Association and it was found that 3 patients were in excellent, 3 in good and 1 in fair.Conclusion:This study focused on the treatment of traumatic digit joint defects by transfer of individually crafted rib cartilages in reconstruction of the defected digit joint. It significantly improves the appearance and function of the defected digit joints, especially suitable for the irregular defects of phalangeal bones.

Objective:To explore the clinical efficacy of Masquelet technique combined with tissue flap transfer in the treatment of infectious composite bone and soft tissue defects in the early and middle stages after internal fixation for tibial fractures.Methods:From October 2017 to November 2020, 12 patients (13 tibial fractures) with infectious bone and soft tissue defects in the early and middle stages after internal fixation were treated in the Department of Orthopaedics, 988th Hospital of the Joint Logistics Support Force of CPLA by two-phased surgery with retaining internal fixation. Phase I procedures were thoroughly removal of the infected lesions and failed screws, preserving internal implants as many as possible, implantation of absorbable calcium sulphate and an antibiotics blended string of beads into the distal and proximal medullary cavity of the fractured bones, filling the bone defect and wrapping the internal implants with antibiotics loaded bone cement. The size of defects was 3.5 cm × 5.0 cm-7.5 cm × 14.5 cm, and the flaps for wound coverage sized 4.0 cm × 5.5 cm-8.0 cm × 15.0 cm. As for the repair of donor site, 8 limbs were sutured directly, 5 limbs could not be closed completely, and the remaining wounds were covered by skin grafting after suture. Based on well control of infection and stable clinical signs, fillings of bone cement were then removed in Phase II surgery, or 6-9 weeks after primary surgery. Autologous cancellous bone pieces or composite allogeneic bone were fully implanted around the induction membrane formed by Masquelet technique, and auxiliary steel plates were implanted for internal fixation of unstable fractures. After discharge, the patients visited the outpatient clinic regularly, and combined with Wechat follow-up. The texture, colour and bone healing were observed. At the last follow-up, the function of the affected limbs were assessed according to Johner-Wruhs evaluation standard.Results:After Phase I surgery, 13 flaps survived smoothly without vascular compromise. The wounds healed in Phase I. Two patients (2 sides) had recurrent infections. Re-debridement was performed and external fixation was applied after removal of internal fixation. After Phase II surgery, all patients were included in 12-26 months of follow-up, with an average of 18 months. Thirteen lower leg fractures healed well, and the time of bone healing was 16-25 (average 19.5) weeks. The Johner Wruhs criteria was used in evaluation of the function of affected limbs, and it was found that 6 patients were in excellent, 5 in good and 2 in fair.Conclusion:It is feasible while preserving the internal implants, to use membrane induction technique (Masquelet technique) combined with flap transfer, together with the absorbable calcium sulphate antibiotic sustained-release beads as a carrier in the phased treatment of infectious bone defects and bone exposure in the early and middle stages after the surgery of tibial internal fixation. It also gives a higher rate of excellence in surgical outcome. This study explores a treatment procedure for traumatic bone infection combined with composite soft tissue defects.

Objective:To explore a surgical technique and treatment outcomes of the segmentle bridging reconstruction for severed fingers with single segmentle defect by using the free second toe bone-joint composite tissue combined with the great toe flap.Methods:From June 2010 to September 2017, 5 patients suffered from severed segmental defect of finger were treated. According to the defects of bone-joints, blood vessels, nerves, tendons and other soft tissues, the reconstruction surgery was designed to create a Flow-through bridging composite flap pedicled with the first dorsal metatarsal artery or the plantar artery. The blood vessles carried by the pedicle were anastomosed with the vessels in the finger to restore the blood supply to the distal finger while having the defected finger segment reconstructed. A Flow-through bridging composite flap was created by taking the second toe bone-joint composite tissue combined with a C-shaped or half-moon shaped flap from the fibular side of the great toe. Skin graft, retrograde lateral tarsal flap or free perforator flaps were used in 3 cases to repair the donor sites of the great and second toes. Iliac strip was implanted in 2 cases for toe salvage. Kirschner wires were removed 4-6 weeks after surgery followed by functional exercise.Results:All of the 5 reconstructed distal segments of the fingers survived with the healing of fractures in 8-12 week after surgery. The postoperative follow-up lasted 6-36 months and all the patients had the follow-ups at the outpatient clinic. It was found that the maximum flexion of the reconstructed interphalangel joint was 60 degrees together with dorsiflezion. According to the evaluation standard of the reconstructed function for thumb and finger issued by the Hand Surgery Society of the Chinese Medical Association, 3 fingers were in excellent and 2 in good. No obviouse affect on walking was found in all the patients.Conclusion:The free second toe joint composite tissue together with the great toe flap can be used to bridge the single segmental defect of a finger. It restores the blood supply to as well as the appearance of the distal finger, helps the recovery of the reconstructed distal finger. It is an ideal technique in the treatment of a severed distal segment of the finger.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of the nutrient vessel of medial and lateral sural subcutaneous nerve chimeric tissue flap based on posterior perforating branch of peroneal artery to repair the composite tissue defect in the Achilles tendon area.Methods:From January 2016 to June 2021, 12 patients suffering from infectious wound with defect of Achilles tendon were treated in the Department of Trauma and Microscopic Orthopaedics, 988th Hospital of the Joint Logistics Support Force of PLA. The area of soft tissue defect around Achilles tendon was 2.5 cm× 4.5 cm-8.0 cm×12.5 cm, and the length of the defect of Achilles tendon was 3.0-7.0 cm. The defect around the Achilles tendon were repaired with the nutrient vessel of medial and lateral sural subcutaneous nerve chimeric Achilles tendon flap (ATF) and the posterior perforating branch of peroneal artery was used as the vessel of blood supply. The size of flap was 3.0 cm×5.0 cm-9.0 cm×13.0 cm, and the size of the ATF was 3.0 cm×4.0 cm-3.0 cm×8.0 cm. The donor sites were sutured directly (8 cases) or repaired with skin graft (4 cases). External fixation were put on for 6 weeks after surgery. Then the external fixation was removed and the functional exercise gradually started. Outpatient clinic follow-ups were carried out regularly. Thermann Achilles tendon function assessment system was used to evaluate the last follow-up.Results:The chimeric ATF was harvested and the blood supply of each flap was good during the operation. There was no vascular crisis after surgery. The flaps survived smoothly and the wound achieved grade A healing. All patients were entered follow-up that lasted for 10-24 months. There was good appearance of flaps with minor bloating, and the colour of flaps was similar to the skin around the receiving site. The texture was soft with normal function of the lower legs and ankle. Tendon function was evaluated by Thermann Achilles tendon function assessment system, the result were 8 cases in excellent and 4 cases in good.Conclusion:The nutrient vessel of medial and lateral sural subcutaneous nerve chimeric tissue flap based on posterior perforating branch of peroneal artery can accurately repair a composite tissue defect in the Achilles tendon area, and it is one of the effective methods for the repair of a composite soft tissue wound with Achilles tendon defect.

Objective:To investigate the surgical method and clinical value of free medial sural artery perforator (MSAP) flap for repairing the wound of toe.Methods:The patients with isolated toe skin defects admitted to the Department of Trauma Microsurgery of No.988 Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force were treated with MSAP flap for wound repair from June 2014 to December 2018. All the donor site were closed primarily. After the operation, the appearance, texture, hair growth and functional recovery of donor and recipient sites were observed through regular follow-up in outpatient or WeChat.Results:A total of 11 cases were enrolled, including 7 males and 4 females, aged from 19 to 44 years, with an average of 31.3 years. The wound sites were located at the first toe in 8 cases, the second toe in 2 cases, and the fourth toe in 1 case. The size of the skin defects was from 2.2 cm×1.8 cm to 5.7 cm×3.8 cm, the primary repair was performed in 4 cases and secondary repair in 7 cases, and the flaps ranged from 2.6 cm×2.1 cm-6.1 cm×4.2 cm. Ten cases survived successfully, and the wounds healed primarily. One case had local necrosis at the distal end of the flap, the wound healed after secondary repair surgery. All patients were followed-up from 6 to 18 months. The appearance of flaps was good in 9 cases and slightly swollen in 2 cases. All flaps had good texture, no discomfort of wearing shoes, no obvious influence on walking, and linear scar remained in the donor area. Three cases were treated with laser hair removal because of the flap hair growth.Conclusions:The method of using a free MSAP flap to repair the small toe wound can restore its appearance to satisfaction and achieve a good aesthetic repair effect.

Objective:To investigate the surgical method and clinical value of free medial sural artery perforator (MSAP) flap for repairing the wound of toe.Methods:The patients with isolated toe skin defects admitted to the Department of Trauma Microsurgery of No.988 Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force were treated with MSAP flap for wound repair from June 2014 to December 2018. All the donor site were closed primarily. After the operation, the appearance, texture, hair growth and functional recovery of donor and recipient sites were observed through regular follow-up in outpatient or WeChat.Results:A total of 11 cases were enrolled, including 7 males and 4 females, aged from 19 to 44 years, with an average of 31.3 years. The wound sites were located at the first toe in 8 cases, the second toe in 2 cases, and the fourth toe in 1 case. The size of the skin defects was from 2.2 cm×1.8 cm to 5.7 cm×3.8 cm, the primary repair was performed in 4 cases and secondary repair in 7 cases, and the flaps ranged from 2.6 cm×2.1 cm-6.1 cm×4.2 cm. Ten cases survived successfully, and the wounds healed primarily. One case had local necrosis at the distal end of the flap, the wound healed after secondary repair surgery. All patients were followed-up from 6 to 18 months. The appearance of flaps was good in 9 cases and slightly swollen in 2 cases. All flaps had good texture, no discomfort of wearing shoes, no obvious influence on walking, and linear scar remained in the donor area. Three cases were treated with laser hair removal because of the flap hair growth.Conclusions:The method of using a free MSAP flap to repair the small toe wound can restore its appearance to satisfaction and achieve a good aesthetic repair effect.

Objective:To investigate the surgical method and clinical effect of free medial plantar flap (MPF) combined with anterolateral thigh flap (ALTF) in repair of large soft tissue defect in the weight bearing area of sole.Methods:From April, 2017 to August, 2019, 8 patients with large soft tissue defects in plantar weight bearing area were repaired by free MPF combined with ALTF. Four patients had the defects located in the hindfoot and the surrounding area, 3 in the forefoot and 1 in the whole foot. A tandem flap made of free MPF combined with ALTF was used to repair the heel in 5 patients and repair the plantar forefoot in 3 patients. The size of defects ranged from 15.0 cm×10.0 cm to 26.0 cm×22.0 cm. The size of the MPF ranged from 6.0 cm×5.0 cm to 8.0 cm×6.5 cm. The donor sites repaired with full thickness skin graft. The size of ALTF ranged from 15.0 cm×7.0 cm to 27.0 cm×11.0 cm. Two donor sites were sutured directly, and the other 6 were repaired by full-thickness abdominal skin graft. The patients entered follow-up at outpatient clinic and via WeChat for 9 to 18 months.Results:All the 8 tandem flaps and the donor grafts survived. Only 1 ALTF had a distal necrosis and healed after change of dressing. All the flaps had good elasticity and good texture. All the recipient area of MPF achieved sensation recovery of pain and touch. But the ALTF only partially recovered tactile sensation. The weight-bearing and walking function were good. At the last follow-up, all patients were evaluated by Maryland foot score, of which 4 patients were excellent, 3 were good, and 1 was fair.Conclusion:The free MPF combined with ALTF is one of the ideal methods for the repair of plantar soft tissue defect in the weight bearing area of sole. It can better restore the foot weight-bearing and walking function with good clinical effect.

Objective:To investigate the surgical method and clinical effect of repairing the forefoot soft tissue defect by the retrograded lateral tarsal artery perforator flap pedicled with the anterior branch.Methods:From March, 2015 to October, 2018, 9 patients with soft tissue defects in forefoot were repaired by the retrograded lateral tarsal artery perforator flap pedicled with anterior branch. One patient received an emergency repair and 8 received secondary repair. The wounds were all located in the forefoot. Area of defects were 3.0 cm×2.0 cm-5.0 cm×4.0 cm; flap areas were 3.5 cm×3.0 cm-6.0 cm×4.5 cm. The donor sites of flap were repaired with full thickness skin graft. All patients received postoperative followed-up through the visits of outpatient clinics, WeChat or telephone reviews.Results:Eight flaps survived successfully and the wounds healed by first intention; One flap had venous crisis 2 days after surgery and after having removed stitches of the pedicle of flap, only distal skin necrosis occurred. And healed after changing treatment. All the skin graft in donor sites of flaps survived well. All patients were entered 3 to 18 months postoperative follow-up. The shape of flaps had good textures and were not bloated. The sensation of flaps partially recovered. In the last followed-up, 8 flaps were assessed by the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) middle foot scoring standard. The results were excellent in 5 cases, good in 2 cases and poor in 1 case, with the good and excellent rate of 87.5%.Conclusion:The retrograde lateral tarsal artery perforator flap pedicled with the anterior branch is one of the effective methods to repair the soft tissue defect in forefoot without damaging the main trunk of dorsal pedal artery. It features a reliable blood supply to the flap and a relatively simple surgical procedure.

To explore the method and effect of repairing the soft tissue defect of the lateral heel with the retrograde lateral supramalleolar flap pedicled with the end perforator of peroneal artery. Methods From May, 2015 to February, 2018, 16 cases of lateral calcaneal soft tissue defect were repaired with the retrograde lateral supramalleolar flap pedicled with the end perforator of peroneal artery.All wounds were treated with one-stage dilata-tion and VSD to control infection. In cases of chronic calcaneal bone infection, the bone defect formed after extensive resection of infected bone was temporarily filled with antibiotic bone cement. The area of soft tissue defect on the lat-eral heel was 3.0 cm×2.0 cm-8.0 cm×5.0 cm, and the area of flaps was 3.5 cm×2.5 cm-8.5 cm×5.5 cm. The small donor area of the flap was sutured directly, and the larger area was repaired by skin grafting. Patients with chronic calcaneal bone infection underwent bone cement removal and autogenous bone transplantation after inducing mem-brane formation 6 to 8 weeks after flap transplantation. All cases were followed-up, including 7 cases outpatient fol-low-up and 9 telephone follow-up. Results All the 16 flaps survived smoothly. The donor and recipient areas of the flaps healed primarily. All cases were followed-up for 3 to 13 months. The flaps had good shape, no swelling, similar color to heel skin and no pigmentation.Ankle flexion and extension were not restricted.Four cases with chron-ic osteomyelitis of calcaneus healed well after second-stage bone grafting, with an average healing time of 8.5 months. Conclusion The retrograde lateral supramalleolar flap with the end perforator of peroneal artery is an ideal method for repairing the soft tissue defect on the lateral heel with simple operation and reliable blood supply.

Objective To investigate the clinical effect of lateral supramalleolar perforator flap with the rotation point down on the repair of forefoot soft tissue defect.Methods From January,2016 to June,2017,23 cases (15 males and 8 females) of forefoot soft tissue defect were repaired by lateral supramalleolar perforator flap with the rotation point down.The age ranged from 8 to 67 (mean,42.9) years.The soft tissue defects were located far from the tarsometatarsal joint of the foot and the areas were 4.0 cm×4.0 cm-8.0 cm×12.0 cm.The areas of flap stitched directly or take blade thick skin repair on the thigh.All cases were followed-up by telephone or Internet,outpatient visit and home visit.Results Twenty-one cases survived successfully.Small area necrosis occurred at the distal end of the flap in 1 case,and healed after changing treatment.In the other cases,tension blister appeared at the distal end of the flap.After cut off some surgical stitches,the flap survived.All cases were followed-up from 6 to 12 months.The shape of flaps were not bloated and had good textures.The walking of affected limbs had no significant effect,and the functional recovery was satisfactory.Conclusion The lateral supramalleolar perforator flap is easy to cut and the perforator of flap is constant,which is a appropriate flap to repair the soft tissue defect of the forefoot.