OBJECTIVE: To review the research progress of supraclavicular vascularized lymph node transfer (VLNT). METHODS: The research literature related to supraclavicular VLNT at home and abroad in recent years was extensively reviewed, and the anatomy of supraclavicular lymph nodes, clinical applications, and complications of supraclavicular VLNT were summarized. RESULTS: The supraclavicular lymph nodes are anatomically constant, located in the posterior cervical triangle zone, and the blood supply comes mainly from the transverse cervical artery. There are individual differences in the number of supraclavicular lymph nodes, and preoperative ultrasonography is helpful to clarify the number of lymph nodes. Clinical studies have shown that supraclavicular VLNT can relieve limb swelling, reduce the incidence of infection, and improve quality of life in patients with lymphedema. And the effectiveness of supraclavicular VLNT can be improved by combined with lymphovenous anastomosis, resection procedures, and liposuction. CONCLUSION There are a large number of supraclavicular lymph nodes, with abundant blood supply. It has been proven to be effective for any period of lymphedema, and the combined treatment is more effective. The more clinical studies are needed to clarify the effectiveness of supraclavicular VLNT alone or in combination, as well as the surgical approach and timing of the combined treatment.
Humans ; Quality of Life ; Lymphedema/surgery* ; Lymph Nodes/blood supply* ; Lymphatic Vessels/surgery* ; Extremities

Gastric outlet obstruction, afferent or efferent limb obstruction, and biliary obstruction among patients with altered anatomy often require surgical intervention which is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Endoscopic dilation for benign etiologies requires multiple sessions, whereas self-expandable metal stents used for malignant etiologies often fail due to tumor in-growth. Lumen apposing metal stents, placed endoscopically with the intent of creating a de-novo gastrointestinal anastomosis bypassing the site of obstruction, can potentially achieve similar efficacy, with a much lower complication rate. In our study cohort (n=79), the composite technical success rate and clinical success rate was 91.1% (72/79) and 97.2% (70/72), respectively. Five different techniques were used: 43% (34/79) underwent the balloon-assisted method, 27.9% (22/79) underwent endoscopic ultrasound-guided balloon occluded gastro-jejunostomy bypass, 20.3% (16/79) underwent the direct technique, 6.3% (5/79) underwent the hybrid rendezvous technique, and 2.5% (2/79) underwent natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES)-assisted procedure. All techniques required an echoendoscope except NOTES. In all, 53.2% (42/79) had non-cautery enhanced Axios stent, 44.3% (35/79) had hot Axios stent, and 2.5% (2/79) had Niti-S spaxus stent. Symptom-recurrence was seen in 2.8%, and 6.3% had a complication (bleeding, abdominal pain or peritonitis). All procedures were performed by experts at centers of excellence with adequate surgical back up.
Abdominal Pain ; Cohort Studies ; Endosonography ; Extremities ; Gastric Outlet Obstruction ; Humans ; Methods ; Mortality ; Natural Orifice Endoscopic Surgery ; Stents*

PURPOSE: Reconstruction of postburn scar contractures is one of difficult tasks in burn plastic surgery. A linear scar contracture is usually repaired by using skin grafts, traditional or modified Z-plasty. However, the scar itself remains even if the contracture is released. Therefore, it should be suggested to reduce scars at the time of release of scar contractures. For this purpose, we have designed the Y-V flap method. This paper is presents our clinical experiences for reconstruction of postburn linear scar contractures and scar reduction by newly designed the Y-V flap. METHODS: We had 3 cases of postburn scar contractures with depressed deformities in extremities, buttock using the newly designed the Y-V flaps. The Y-V flap is made by the V shaped flap at a right angle to the scar band and it is advanced to Y incision site of opposite edge of the scar band, and this flap can correct the linear contracted scar band with moderate scar reductiontion. RESULTS: 2 cases of the postburn scar contractures were treated using the Y-V flaps. 1 case of scar contractures of extremities was reconstructed using Y-V flap and multiple Z-plasties. After postoperative follow up, relatively satisfactory results were obtained in all cases. CONCLUSION: We have had successful reconstruction of postburn scar contractures with depressed deformities by newly designed Y-V flap. The design of Y-V flap and its reliability have been introduced. The Y-V flap can be used effectively for the correction of linear scar contractures with depressed contour deformities and scar reduction.
Burns ; Buttocks ; Cicatrix* ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Contracture* ; Extremities* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Skin ; Surgery, Plastic ; Transplants

BACKGROUNDRecent studies have suggested that the presence of a pathological fracture does not impact on oncologic outcomes and the feasibility of limb salvage surgery (LSS) in appropriately selected patients when combined with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. These have largely been single institutional studies with limited numbers. The Eastern Asian Musculoskeletal Oncology Group reviewed the data from three large volume Asian orthopedic oncology centers to determine whether the presence of a pathologic fracture affected outcomes in osteosarcoma patients.

METHODSA retrospective review of the data was conducted. Ninety-five cases of nonmetastatic extremity osteosarcoma with a pathological fracture and 887 cases without fracture treated during the same period were compared.

RESULTSIn the fracture group, the LSS rate was 62.1%, and the rate of amputation was 37.9%. In the nonfracture group, the LSS rate was 74.7%, and the amputation was 25.3%. In patients with a pathologic fracture, the rate of local recurrence for LSS and amputation groups was 8.5% and 2.8%, respectively. In this group, the 5-year survival in the LSS group was 66% as against. 46.8% in the amputation group.

CONCLUSIONSOur study suggests that surgically treated patients with pathologic fractures in osteosarcoma have adequate local control and do not have a poorer outcome compared to patients without a fracture. Though osteosarcoma with a pathologic fracture is not a contraindication for limb salvage, appropriate case selection is important when deciding local control options to ensure adequate oncologic clearance.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Bone Neoplasms ; complications ; surgery ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Extremities ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Fractures, Spontaneous ; etiology ; surgery ; Humans ; Limb Salvage ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; complications ; surgery ; Osteosarcoma ; complications ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the application of VSD in the treatment of severe necrotizing fasciitis in extremities of patients.

METHODSEight patients, suffering from severe necrotizing fasciitis, who had been traditionally treated with iodophor-soaked gauze for 21 to 365 days in other hospitals, were transferred to our institute because of the nonhealing wounds and systemic toxic symptoms induced by infection, from January 2011 to August 2013. After admission, surgical debridement was performed timely, and the necrotic tissue was collected during the operation for pathological observation after HE staining. After the operation, VSD was started with negative pressure ranging from -100 to -80 kPa, and the furacilin solution (0.2 g/L) and oxygen (2 L/min) were continuously infused into the wound during the treatment. Surgical debridement was performed repeatedly according to the wound condition followed by change of VSD dressings to continue VSD treatment. The wounds were closed by suturing or with autologous skin grafts after being covered by fresh granulation tissue. The times of surgical debridement, times of change of VSD materials, wound healing status, and length of stay in our institute were recorded. All patients were followed up for a long time. Results HE staining showed that there were diffuse necrotic adipose and fibrous connective tissues in the necrotic tissue, and the normal tissue structure disappeared accompanied by significant infiltration of inflammatory cells. The number of surgical debridement was 2 to 10 (3.9 +/- 2.8) times. The number of VSD materials change was 2 to 10 (4.0 +/- 2.9) times. Wounds were closed by suturing and healed in two patients; wounds in the other six patients were partially sutured, their residual wounds were healed by autologous skin grafting. The length of stay in our institute was 20 to 49 (33 +/- 10) days. All patients were discharged after recovery. Patients were followed up for 2 to 24 months, and their wounds were found to be in good condition without ulceration or recurrence.

CONCLUSIONSVSD can effectively remove the necrotic tissues and exudates from the fascial spaces and promote proliferation of granulation tissue. Therefore it serves as an effective approach to the treatment of severe necrotizing fasciitis in extremities.

Debridement ; Drainage ; Extremities ; surgery ; Fasciitis, Necrotizing ; surgery ; Granulation Tissue ; Humans ; Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy ; Oxygen ; Pressure ; Skin ; Skin Transplantation ; Ulcer ; Vacuum

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of unified surgical scheme for wounds on the outcome of patients with extensive deep partial-thickness to full-thickness (briefly referred to as deep) burn.

METHODSOne hundred and thirty-seven patients with extensive deep burn hospitalized from July 2007 to November 2012 underwent unified surgery according to area of deep wound (unified scheme group, US). Among them, 57 patients with deep wound area less than 51% TBSA received escharectomy or tangential excision by stages followed by autologous mesh skin grafting; 52 patients with deep wound area from 51% to 80% TBSA underwent escharectomy or tangential excision by stages followed by autologous mesh skin grafting and/or small skin grafting, or escharectomy or tangential excision followed by large sheet of allogeneic skin covering plus autologous mesh skin grafting and/or small skin grafting after the removal of allogeneic skin; 28 patients with deep wound area larger than 80% TBSA received escharectomy or tangential excision by stages followed by autologous microskin grafting plus coverage of large sheet of allogeneic skin, or escharectomy or tangential excision followed by small autologous skin grafting and/or intermingled grafting with small autologous and/or allogeneic skin. Another 120 patients with extensive deep burn hospitalized from January 2002 to June 2007 who did not receive unified surgical scheme were included as control group (C). Except for the surgical methods in group US, in 53 patients with deep wound area less than 51% TBSA in group C escharectomy or tangential excision was performed followed by autologous small skin grafting; in 40 patients with deep wound area from 51% to 80% TBSA in group C escharectomy or tangential excision was performed followed by autologous microskin grafting plus large sheet of allogeneic skin covering, or escharectomy or tangential excision followed by large sheet of allogeneic skin embedded with stamp-like autologous skin; in 27 patients with deep wound area larger than 80% TBSA in group C escharectomy or tangential excision was performed followed by covering with large sheet of allogeneic skin embedded with stamp-like autologous skin without intermingled grafting with small autologous and allogeneic skin in group US. In group US, escharectomy of full-thickness wound in extremities was performed with the use of tourniquet in every patient; saline containing adrenaline was subcutaneously injected when performing escharectomy or tangential excision over the trunk and skin excision; normal skin and healed superficial-thickness wound were used as donor sites for several times of skin excision. The baseline condition of patients and their treatment in the aspects of fluid resuscitation, nutrition support, anti-inflammation, and organ function support were similar between the two groups. The mortality and incidence of complications of all patients and wound healing time and times of surgery of healed patients were compared between the two groups. Data were processed with independent sample t test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Fisher's exact test.

RESULTS(1) Both the mortality and the incidence of complications of patients with deep wound area less than 51% TBSA in group US were 0, which were close to those of group C (with P values above 0.05). The number of times of surgery of healed patients with deep wound area less than 51% TBSA in group US was 2.4 ± 0.9, which was obviously fewer than that of group C (3.5 ± 1.8, U=-5.085, P<0.001), but with wound healing time close to that of group C (U=-1.480, P>0.05). (2) Both the mortality and the incidence of complications of patients with deep wound area from 51% to 80% TBSA in group US were 0, which were significantly lower than those of group C [both as 20.0% (8/40), with P values below 0.01]. The number of times of surgery and wound healing time of healed patients with deep wound area from 51% to 80% TBSA in group US were respectively 3.0 ± 1.0 and (43 ± 13) d, which were obviously fewer or shorter than those in group C [4.2 ± 2.3 and (61 ± 34) d, with U values respectively -2.491 and -2.186, P values below 0.05]. (3) Both the mortality and the incidence of complications of patients with deep wound area larger than 80% TBSA in group US were 25.0% (7/28), which were close to those of group C [both as 25.9% (7/27), with P values above 0.05]. The number of times of surgery and wound healing time of healed patients with deep wound area larger than 80% TBSA in group US were close to those of group C (with U values respectively -0.276 and -0.369, P values above 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSUnified surgical scheme can indirectly decrease the mortality and the incidence of complications of burn patients with deep wound area from 51% to 80% TBSA; it can reduce times of surgery of healed patients of this type and shorten their wound healing time.

Burns ; surgery ; Debridement ; methods ; Extremities ; Humans ; Severity of Illness Index ; Skin ; pathology ; Skin Transplantation ; Transplantation, Autologous ; Treatment Outcome ; Wound Healing

OBJECTIVETo observe clinical efficacy of using free anterolateral thigh flaps with iliotibial tracts in repairing skin and soft tissue defects around the knee joints with patellar ligament defects.

METHODSTwelve patients with skin and soft tissue defects around the knee joints and patellar ligament defects were hospitalized from June 2010 to June 2014. The defects of skin and soft tissue ranged from 7 cm × 6 cm to 16 cm × 12 cm in area, and patellar ligament ranged from 5 to 12 cm in length and 2.5 to 4.0 cm in width. Free anterolateral thigh flaps with iliotibial tracts were used to repair these defects. During reconstruction of patellar ligament, both ends of iliotibial tract were successively folded to form tendon-like three-layer structure at first, and then the newly formed structure was wrapped around the broken ends of patellar ligament and fixed with suture. The flap size ranged from 9 cm × 8 cm to 18 cm × 14 cm. The iliotibial tract ranged from 7 to 14 cm in length and 8 to 12 cm in width. The donor sites were closed by grafting with autologous split-thickness skin harvested from thigh or trunk, and parked with gauze. Immediately after operation, the knee joints were fixed in extension with orthosis for 6 weeks. Weight bearing training of affected limbs being kept in extension position was started from 2 weeks after operation, and flexion and extension exercise of affected knee joints was begun from 6 weeks after operation. Before operation and 12 months after operation, the degree of pain around the knee joints and knee joint function were evaluated with the international knee documentation committee knee uation form, and the ranges of flexion and extension of knee joints were also evaluated. The integrity of reconstructed patellar ligament was assessed by color Doppler ultrasound from 6 to 12 months after operation. The occurrence of surgery-related complications was observed in all patients within 12 months after operation.

RESULTS(1) After operation, all flaps survived well, and all wounds healed well. (2) The average score of pain around the knee joint was increased from 31 points before operation to 77 points in 12 months after operation. The average score of knee joint function was increased from 14 points before operation to 65 points in 12 months after operation. Before operation, the average ranges of flexion and extension of knee joint were respectively 89° and 65°, and they were respectively increased to 130° and decreased to 15° in 12 months after operation. From 6 to 12 months after operation, color Doppler ultrasound showed that the condition of reconstructive patellar ligaments in all patients was good without the need for further surgical intervention; the superficial sensation of the flaps was recovered in different degrees. No surgery-related complication was observed in all patients within 12 months after operation.

CONCLUSIONSFree grafting of anterolateral thigh flap with iliotibial tract is an effective and reliable method for repairing skin and soft tissue defects around the knee joints combined with patellar ligament defects, and the surgical procedure can recover function and appearance of knee joint satisfactorily.

Extremities ; Fascia Lata ; Humans ; Knee ; Knee Joint ; Patellar Ligament ; surgery ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Skin ; Skin Transplantation ; Surgical Flaps ; Thigh ; Wound Healing

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical effects of relaying reversed perforator flaps in repairing skin and soft tissue defects at distal end of finger and donor site.

METHODSSeventeen patients (17 fingers) with skin and soft tissue defects at distal end of finger were hospitalized from June 2011 to June 2013. The reversed digital artery perforator flap with branch of digital nerve was used to repair the defect. The first donor site was repaired by dorsal metacarpal artery perforator flap; the second donor site was closed by suturing. The area of skin defect at distal end of finger ranged from 2.0 cm x 1.5 cm to 3.0 cm x 2.0 cm, and the area of digital artery perforator flap and dorsal metacarpal artery perforator flap ranged from 2.2 cm x 1.5 cm to 3.6 cm x 2.5 cm and 2.5 cm x 2.0 cm to 4.2 cm x 3.0 cm, respectively.

RESULTSAll the 34 flaps survived completely. Cyanosis and partial necrosis of the epidermis appeared in 1 flap, which was healed after dressing change. All the patients were followed up for 1 to 18 months, with mean time of 8 months. The color, texture and appearance of flaps were satisfactory. There was no depression or breakdown in the first donor sites. Some linear scars appeared in the second donor sites, but they did not affect the general appearance. The donor sites at joint or tendon did not affect the joint activity after healing. The results of function evaluation of range of active movement of the fingers were excellent in 15 cases and good in 2 cases. The results of sensation of the flaps were S3 in 1 finger, S4 in 2 fingers, and S5 in 14 fingers. The distance of two-point discrimination of flaps ranged from 5 to 7 mm, with mean distance of 6 mm.

CONCLUSIONSRelaying reversed perforator flap, with reliable blood supply and both donor sites in the hand, can improve the appearance and function of the first donor site as well as repair skin and soft tissue defects at distal end of finger.

Cicatrix ; Depression ; Epidermis ; Extremities ; Finger Injuries ; surgery ; Humans ; Perforator Flap ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Skin ; Skin Transplantation ; methods ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; surgery ; Surgical Flaps ; blood supply ; Sutures ; Tendons ; Treatment Outcome ; Wound Healing

OBJECTIVETo investigate the application and effects of external fixator under the guidance of damage control therapy in limb open fracture.

METHODSFrom May 2008 to January 2013,72 cases with severe limb open fractures (Unincor- porated shock) were divided into control group and observation group (36 cases in each group). In observation group, 36 patients (including 22 males and 14 females) were treated by external fixator at stage I, as soon as possible after waiting for patients physiology conditions being stable,the stage II fracture operation was performed. In control group, 36 patients (24 males and 12 females) were treated by the first stage open reduction. The hospital admission time, open fracture severity score (OFSS),operation duration,operative blood loss,X-ray expose times, callus appear time, fracture healing time, postoperative infection rate, complications and Johner-Wruhs accceccment were recorded and evaluated.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up for 8 to 12 months (10.4 in averaged). The mean operation duration, operative blood loss, callus appear time, fracture healing time the mean operation duration reespectively were (56.79±8.87) min, (216.16±18.21) ml, (5.32±0.71) weeks, (12.79±2.52) weeks in observation group,and (104.53±9.28) min, (439.93±14.65) ml, (4.97±1.26) weeks, (14.81±2.63) weeks in control group. According to Johner-Wruhs acccecement,there were were 33 cases in excellent,2 in good,and 1 in poor in observation group,non-union of fracture in 1 case,local infection occurred in 1 cases; in control group 25 cases in excellent,6 in good, and 5 in poor, non-union of fracture in 1 case,local infection occurred in 8 cases. There were significant differences in operation duration, operative blood loss, callus appear time, fracture healing time, postoperative infection rate, complications (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in hospital admission time, open fracture severity score and X-ray expose times (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONUnder the guidance of damage control therapy,using external fixator measures to treat patients with open fractures of limbs is worth popularizing in clinical application because it can shorten the operation time, less blood loss, reduce the infection rate and complications, improve the success rate of surgery and recovery rate.

Adult ; Aged ; External Fixators ; Extremities ; injuries ; surgery ; Female ; Fracture Healing ; Fractures, Open ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Operative Time ; Postoperative Complications ; epidemiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the early clinical efficacy of induced membrane technique for reconstruction of large bone defects after debridement in adults with chronic osteomyelitis of limbs.

METHODSFrom March 2010 to March 2012,a total of 23 adult patients with chronic osteomyelitis of limbs were treated in our department. There were 15 males and 8 females, with a mean age 35.2 years old (ranged from 26 to 49 years old). Sixteen patients had open fracture history. According to the lesion site, there were 12 cases of tibia, 7 cases of femur, 3 cases of humerus, and 1 case of both radius and ulna. Among them, 19 patients had diseases in diaphysis and 4 patients in the metaphysis. The mean interval from infection to operation was 6.9 months (ranged from 4 to 13 months). All the patients were treated by using induced membrane technique. The follow-up evaluation included clinical complications, time of bone healing and limbs function. The Chinese version of SF-36 scores was used in the assessment of quality of life pre- and post-operation.

RESULTSThe average duration of follow-up was (27.6 ± 5.3) months (ranged from 18 to 43 months). Two patients had postoperative flap edge necrosis, 1 patient had superficial iliac incision infection, no obvious complications were recorded. Twenty patients obtained radiological union at a mean time of 4.6 months (ranged from 3 to 7 months). Among them, 16 patients treated with lower limbs surgery achieved full weight-bearing at about 5.2 months (ranged from 4 to 8 months) postoperatively. Four patients suffered from reinfection during follow-up, but 3 of them achieved complete bone healing after the second surgeries with induced membrane technique. At the final follow-up, there was a substantial improvement in each dimension scores and total scores of SF-36 as compared with those before surgery.

CONCLUSIONWhen treating with adult chronic osteomyelitis of limbs, the induced membrane technique can effectively reconstruct large bone defects after debridement, significantly shorten treatment cycle, provide satisfactory results with minimal complications, promote good recovery of limbs function and require relatively simple operation technique.

Adult ; Chronic Disease ; Extremities ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteomyelitis ; surgery ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods