OBJECTIVE: To compare the diagnostic accuracy of supraspinatus muscle outlet X-ray film, oblique sagittal multislice helical CT (MSCT), and oblique sagittal MRI in the diagnosis of subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the imaging data of 106 patients diagnosed with SIS between January 2023 and December 2024. The cohort consisted of 32 males and 74 females, with ages ranging from 43 to 70 years (mean, 60.19 years). All patients underwent supraspinatus muscle outlet X-ray film, MSCT, and MRI scans, with MSCT further subjected to three-dimensional reconstruction. Two experienced radiologists independently evaluated the acromion morphology in each imaging modality using the Bigliani classification system. Inter-observer reliability was assessed via Kappa statistics. The CT three-dimensional reconstructions were used as the "gold standard". The overall consistency, Kappa values, sensitivity, and specificity of the three imaging modalities were calculated. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted, and the area under the curve (AUC) was computed. RESULTS: The inter-observer reliability for supraspinatus muscle outlet X-ray film, oblique sagittal MSCT, and oblique sagittal MRI was moderate, with Kappa values of 0.62, 0.63, and 0.55, respectively. When compared to the CT three-dimensional reconstructions as the "gold standard", the overall consistency was 88.7% (94/106), 62.3% (66/106), and 58.5% (62/106), respectively. The supraspinatus muscle outlet X-ray film showed excellent consistency (Kappa=0.77), whereas the consistency of MSCT and MRI was lower (Kappa=0.34 and 0.29, respectively). In terms of diagnostic sensitivity and specificity, the supraspinatus muscle outlet X-ray film outperformed oblique sagittal MSCT and oblique sagittal MRI in distinguishing various acromion types. ROC analysis demonstrated that the AUC for the supraspinatus muscle outlet X-ray film was consistently higher than for oblique sagittal MSCT and oblique sagittal MRI, with the highest diagnostic performance observed for type Ⅲ hooked acromion (AUC=0.939). CONCLUSION Supraspinatus muscle outlet X-ray film provides the highest diagnostic accuracy for acromion classification in SIS patients, particularly in identifying type Ⅲ hooked acromion, which is strongly associated with SIS. Given its superior sensitivity and consistency, it should be considered the primary screening tool. MSCT and MRI serve as valuable supplementary modalities for complex cases and preoperative evaluation.
Humans ; Middle Aged ; Male ; Female ; Shoulder Impingement Syndrome/diagnostic imaging* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods* ; Retrospective Studies ; Aged ; Adult ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Tomography, Spiral Computed/methods* ; Multidetector Computed Tomography/methods* ; Reproducibility of Results

In January 2021, a young male patient was admitted to the Department of Hand Surgery, Suzhou Ruihua Orthopeadic Hospital for a soft tissue degloving defect of distal segment of right thumb caused by machine compression. The thumb defect was reconstructed using a tiled flap with a right hallux nail flap and a lateral flap of left second toe. Donor site of the hallux nail flap was reconstructed by a lateral flap of right second toe, while the donor site of lateral flap of left second toe was covered by a skin graft of abdomen. At 1-year follow-up, the reconstructed nail was found excellent according to the established criteria. Two-point discrimination (TPD) was measured at 5 mm, and the affected thumb exhibited satisfactory flexion and extension and functions of thumb-to-palm and thumb-to-fingers oppositions. Donor sites in both feet achieved favorable appearance and function, with a Maryland foot score of 96. Only a linear scar was in abdominal donor site.

Objective:To explore the clinical effects and value for application of the tibial flap of the second toe with the vascular pedicle including a plantar vein on the reconstruction of fingertip soft tissue defects.Methods:From October 2020 to August 2022, retrospective analysis of 12 patients (12 digits) were treated at the Department of Hand Surgery, Suzhou Ruihua Orthopaedic Hospital for small soft tissue defects of fingertip. The patients were 9 males and 3 females and aged 29-54 years, at 38 years in average. The fingertip defects were measured at approximately 1.2 cm × 0.8 cm to 1.2 cm × 1.2 cm. In the surgery, a tibial flap of second toe was designed to reconstruct the defect in fingertip. The flap were designed on the tibial of second toe without an extended incision in dorsal foot. The pedicle of the flap carried with the lateral proper digital artery, a nerve and the plantar vein of the second toe. At the recipient site, the artery, nerve and vein carried by the pedicle of the flap were end-to-end anastomosed with the digital artery, digital nerve and subcutaneous vein of the finger. The flaps were measured at 1.5 cm×1.0 cm - 1.5 cm×1.5 cm in size. All donor sites were reconstructed with skin grafts from the ipsilateral calf. Scheduled postoperative follow-ups were conducted at the outpatient clinic. The Michigan Hand Function Questionnaire (MHQ) evaluation criteria was employed to assess the recovery of hand function, and Total Active Movement (TAM) was used to evaluate the recovery of range of motion of the interphalangeal joints of the affected fingers.Results:All 12 flaps in the fingertips survived. Postoperative follow-ups lasted from 6 months to 2 years, with an average of 11 months. One flap was slightly bloated and a flap aesthetic surgery was followed at 3 months after the primary reconstructive surgery, and the rest of flaps were all in good appearance. TPD was found at 12 -14 mm for all flaps at 9 months after surgery. All donor sites in the feet and calfs had primary healing, without a contracture or rupture of skin graft or an obvious dysfunction at the donor sites. According to the evaluation criteria of the MHQ, 8 patients were very satisfied with the overall appearance of the hand, and 4 were satisfied. Finger movement was evaluated according to TAM criteria, all 12 fingers were rated excellent.Conclusion:Reconstruction of a fingertip defect with a tibial flap of the second toe with the vascular pedicle including a plantar vein of the second toe has a good clinical efficacy. It has advantages in flap harvest, avoids an extended incision on dorsal foot, and makes a minimal damage to the donor site.

Objective:To investigate and compare the clinical effect of anterolateral thigh perforator flap (ALTPF) with a pedicle of the oblique branch and a pedicle of the descending branch of lateral circumflex femoral artery in treatment of wounds in limbs.Methods:From December 2020 to December 2021, a retrospective analysis was performed on 53 patients who received reconstruction of wound with free ALTPF. Patients were divided into a group of ALTPF with oblique branch of lateral circumflex femoral artery (oblique branch group) and a group of ALTPF with descending branch of lateral circumflex femoral artery (descending branch group) according to the vascular pedicle. Of the blique branch group ( n=28): 12 patients had the wound in wrist, 3 in forearm, 7 in ankle and foot, and 6 in calf. The time for ALTPF reconstructive surgery after admission ranged from 0 to 25 days, with an average of 15.3 days. Among the patients, 6 received emergency treatment. The size of soft tissue defect was 5.0 cm×8.0 cm-21.0 cm×10.0 cm, and the size of flap was 6.0 cm×8.5 cm-22.0 cm×10.0 cm. Of the descending branch group ( n=25): 7 patients had the wound in wrist, 3 in forearm, 2 in upper arm, 10 in ankle and foot, and 3 in calf. The time for ALTPF reconstructive surgery after admission ranged from 0 to 22 days, with an average of 14.7 days. Among the patients, 4 received emergency treatment. The size of soft tissue defect was 12.0 cm×4.0 cm-28.0 cm×10.0 cm, and the size of flap was 13.0 cm×5.0 cm-28.0 cm×10.0 cm. The donor sites were directly sutured in layers after the surgery. The number of perforating branches in anterolateral thigh was detected by high-frequency CDU and recorded before surgery. The number, calibre, type of perforating branches observed during surgery and the size of flaps, length of the vascular pedicles of the flaps and the time for flap harvesting were recorded. Postoperative follow-up was conducted through outpatient visits, WeChat and other means. The survival of the flap, the healing of the donor site and complications were observed. The outcomes of flap reconstructive surgery were evaluated by the comprehensive score scale during follow-up. The data were analyzed using SPSS 22.0 statistical software. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:There is no significant difference in general information between the 2 groups ( P>0.05). In the oblique branch group, the length of vascular pedicle of the flaps was 5.0-15.0 (9.89±2.66) cm, the ratio of intermuscular perforator was 56.52%(26/46), and the inner diameter of perforators was 0.3-1.1 (0.67±0.20) mm and the time for flap harvesting was 22.5 (6.0-75.0) minutes. In the descending branch group, the length of vascular pedicle of the flaps was 7.0-16.0 (11.52±2.67) cm, the proportion of intermuscular perforator was 34.69%(17/49), the inner diameter of perforators of the flap was 0.3-1.2(0.70±0.23) mm and the time for flap harvesting was 35.0 (9.0-78.0) minutes. In comparison with the 2 groups, it was found that the oblique branch group had a shorter length of vascular pedicle, a higher proportion of intermuscular perforating branches and a shorter time in flap harvesting. The difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). No statistically significant was found in the number and inner diameter of the perforating branches between the 2 groups ( P>0.05). Altogether, 51 flaps in the 2 groups survived. One flap in each group had partial necrosis at the distal end of flap, with the necrotic sizes of 5.0 cm×5.0 cm and 5.0 cm×4.0 cm, respectively, and they healed after skin grafting without obvious vascular. The survival rates of the 2 groups of flaps were 96.43% and 96.00%, respectively. The postoperative follow-up lasted for 6-18 months, with an average of 12 months. The appearance of the flaps in 10 patients was slightly bloated, and flap thinning and plastic surgery were carried out at 4-6 months after the primary flap surgery. Else, all the flaps regained protective sensation, all the donor sites and recipient sites healed well, and the donor sites of the thigh was good without pain, numbness or other discomfort. Comprehensive evaluations of the flaps were conducted at the final follow-up with the comprehensive evaluation scale for flaps. The scores of 28 patients in the oblique branch group achieved 73-98 with an average of 86.3. Twelve patients had the scores in comprehensive evaluation of excellent, 14 of good, and 2 of fair, with the excellent and good rate of 92.86%(26/28). The scores of 25 patients in the descending branch group ranged from 72-97 with an average of 85.8, of which 11 patients had the scores of comprehensive evaluation in excellent, 12 in good and 2 in fair, with the excellent and good rate of 92.00% (23/25). There was no statistically significant difference in the survival rate and comprehensive evaluation scales between the 2 groups of flaps ( P>0.05). Conclusion:ALTPF pedicled with oblique branch of lateral circumflex femoral artery has a higher number of perforating branch, a shorter harvesting time and less damage to the donor site than those of the ALTPF pedicled with descending branch of lateral circumflex femoral artery. When both oblique and descending branches of lateral circumflex femoral artery are present or with the absence of a descending perforating branch, the oblique branch of lateral circumflex femoral artery is the preferred perforating vessel for pedicle in harvesting of an ALTPF.

Transplantation of vascularized bone flaps based on microsurgical techniques in treat-ment of osteonecrosis of the femoral head(ONFH)involves microsurgical anastomosis of crucial ves-sels to maintain blood supply to the femoral head following neck fractures,thereby reconstructing cir-culation,promoting healing of the necrotic areas,preventing articular surface collapse,and providing biomechanical support.This review summarized the research progress of treating ONFH with microsur-gical techniques for vascularized bone flap transplantation,exploring the effectiveness and importance of microsurgical techniques in managing femoral neck injuries and subsequent ONFH,offering new in-sights into treatment of femoral neck fractures and ONFH.

In January 2023, a patient with soft tissue degloving defect of right index, middle, ring and little fingers was treated in the Department of Hand Surgery, Suzhou Ruihua Orthopaedic Hospital. Seven free flaps from a leg were harvested to reconstruct the defected wound of fingers in primary surgery. Flap thinning and plastic surgery were performed in stage-II surgery. Over the 22 months of postoperative follow-up, the flaps in right index, middle, ring and little fingers survived well with the colour and texture close to proximal skin. There was no obvious swelling of the flaps and sensation of the flaps recovered to S 3. The donor sites healed well and the donor leg walked normally.

In January 2023, a patient with soft tissue degloving defect of right index, middle, ring and little fingers was treated in the Department of Hand Surgery, Suzhou Ruihua Orthopaedic Hospital. Seven free flaps from a leg were harvested to reconstruct the defected wound of fingers in primary surgery. Flap thinning and plastic surgery were performed in stage-II surgery. Over the 22 months of postoperative follow-up, the flaps in right index, middle, ring and little fingers survived well with the colour and texture close to proximal skin. There was no obvious swelling of the flaps and sensation of the flaps recovered to S 3. The donor sites healed well and the donor leg walked normally.

In January 2021, a young male patient was admitted to the Department of Hand Surgery, Suzhou Ruihua Orthopeadic Hospital for a soft tissue degloving defect of distal segment of right thumb caused by machine compression. The thumb defect was reconstructed using a tiled flap with a right hallux nail flap and a lateral flap of left second toe. Donor site of the hallux nail flap was reconstructed by a lateral flap of right second toe, while the donor site of lateral flap of left second toe was covered by a skin graft of abdomen. At 1-year follow-up, the reconstructed nail was found excellent according to the established criteria. Two-point discrimination (TPD) was measured at 5 mm, and the affected thumb exhibited satisfactory flexion and extension and functions of thumb-to-palm and thumb-to-fingers oppositions. Donor sites in both feet achieved favorable appearance and function, with a Maryland foot score of 96. Only a linear scar was in abdominal donor site.

Objective:To explore the clinical effects and value for application of the tibial flap of the second toe with the vascular pedicle including a plantar vein on the reconstruction of fingertip soft tissue defects.Methods:From October 2020 to August 2022, retrospective analysis of 12 patients (12 digits) were treated at the Department of Hand Surgery, Suzhou Ruihua Orthopaedic Hospital for small soft tissue defects of fingertip. The patients were 9 males and 3 females and aged 29-54 years, at 38 years in average. The fingertip defects were measured at approximately 1.2 cm × 0.8 cm to 1.2 cm × 1.2 cm. In the surgery, a tibial flap of second toe was designed to reconstruct the defect in fingertip. The flap were designed on the tibial of second toe without an extended incision in dorsal foot. The pedicle of the flap carried with the lateral proper digital artery, a nerve and the plantar vein of the second toe. At the recipient site, the artery, nerve and vein carried by the pedicle of the flap were end-to-end anastomosed with the digital artery, digital nerve and subcutaneous vein of the finger. The flaps were measured at 1.5 cm×1.0 cm - 1.5 cm×1.5 cm in size. All donor sites were reconstructed with skin grafts from the ipsilateral calf. Scheduled postoperative follow-ups were conducted at the outpatient clinic. The Michigan Hand Function Questionnaire (MHQ) evaluation criteria was employed to assess the recovery of hand function, and Total Active Movement (TAM) was used to evaluate the recovery of range of motion of the interphalangeal joints of the affected fingers.Results:All 12 flaps in the fingertips survived. Postoperative follow-ups lasted from 6 months to 2 years, with an average of 11 months. One flap was slightly bloated and a flap aesthetic surgery was followed at 3 months after the primary reconstructive surgery, and the rest of flaps were all in good appearance. TPD was found at 12 -14 mm for all flaps at 9 months after surgery. All donor sites in the feet and calfs had primary healing, without a contracture or rupture of skin graft or an obvious dysfunction at the donor sites. According to the evaluation criteria of the MHQ, 8 patients were very satisfied with the overall appearance of the hand, and 4 were satisfied. Finger movement was evaluated according to TAM criteria, all 12 fingers were rated excellent.Conclusion:Reconstruction of a fingertip defect with a tibial flap of the second toe with the vascular pedicle including a plantar vein of the second toe has a good clinical efficacy. It has advantages in flap harvest, avoids an extended incision on dorsal foot, and makes a minimal damage to the donor site.

Objective:To investigate and compare the clinical effect of anterolateral thigh perforator flap (ALTPF) with a pedicle of the oblique branch and a pedicle of the descending branch of lateral circumflex femoral artery in treatment of wounds in limbs.Methods:From December 2020 to December 2021, a retrospective analysis was performed on 53 patients who received reconstruction of wound with free ALTPF. Patients were divided into a group of ALTPF with oblique branch of lateral circumflex femoral artery (oblique branch group) and a group of ALTPF with descending branch of lateral circumflex femoral artery (descending branch group) according to the vascular pedicle. Of the blique branch group ( n=28): 12 patients had the wound in wrist, 3 in forearm, 7 in ankle and foot, and 6 in calf. The time for ALTPF reconstructive surgery after admission ranged from 0 to 25 days, with an average of 15.3 days. Among the patients, 6 received emergency treatment. The size of soft tissue defect was 5.0 cm×8.0 cm-21.0 cm×10.0 cm, and the size of flap was 6.0 cm×8.5 cm-22.0 cm×10.0 cm. Of the descending branch group ( n=25): 7 patients had the wound in wrist, 3 in forearm, 2 in upper arm, 10 in ankle and foot, and 3 in calf. The time for ALTPF reconstructive surgery after admission ranged from 0 to 22 days, with an average of 14.7 days. Among the patients, 4 received emergency treatment. The size of soft tissue defect was 12.0 cm×4.0 cm-28.0 cm×10.0 cm, and the size of flap was 13.0 cm×5.0 cm-28.0 cm×10.0 cm. The donor sites were directly sutured in layers after the surgery. The number of perforating branches in anterolateral thigh was detected by high-frequency CDU and recorded before surgery. The number, calibre, type of perforating branches observed during surgery and the size of flaps, length of the vascular pedicles of the flaps and the time for flap harvesting were recorded. Postoperative follow-up was conducted through outpatient visits, WeChat and other means. The survival of the flap, the healing of the donor site and complications were observed. The outcomes of flap reconstructive surgery were evaluated by the comprehensive score scale during follow-up. The data were analyzed using SPSS 22.0 statistical software. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:There is no significant difference in general information between the 2 groups ( P>0.05). In the oblique branch group, the length of vascular pedicle of the flaps was 5.0-15.0 (9.89±2.66) cm, the ratio of intermuscular perforator was 56.52%(26/46), and the inner diameter of perforators was 0.3-1.1 (0.67±0.20) mm and the time for flap harvesting was 22.5 (6.0-75.0) minutes. In the descending branch group, the length of vascular pedicle of the flaps was 7.0-16.0 (11.52±2.67) cm, the proportion of intermuscular perforator was 34.69%(17/49), the inner diameter of perforators of the flap was 0.3-1.2(0.70±0.23) mm and the time for flap harvesting was 35.0 (9.0-78.0) minutes. In comparison with the 2 groups, it was found that the oblique branch group had a shorter length of vascular pedicle, a higher proportion of intermuscular perforating branches and a shorter time in flap harvesting. The difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). No statistically significant was found in the number and inner diameter of the perforating branches between the 2 groups ( P>0.05). Altogether, 51 flaps in the 2 groups survived. One flap in each group had partial necrosis at the distal end of flap, with the necrotic sizes of 5.0 cm×5.0 cm and 5.0 cm×4.0 cm, respectively, and they healed after skin grafting without obvious vascular. The survival rates of the 2 groups of flaps were 96.43% and 96.00%, respectively. The postoperative follow-up lasted for 6-18 months, with an average of 12 months. The appearance of the flaps in 10 patients was slightly bloated, and flap thinning and plastic surgery were carried out at 4-6 months after the primary flap surgery. Else, all the flaps regained protective sensation, all the donor sites and recipient sites healed well, and the donor sites of the thigh was good without pain, numbness or other discomfort. Comprehensive evaluations of the flaps were conducted at the final follow-up with the comprehensive evaluation scale for flaps. The scores of 28 patients in the oblique branch group achieved 73-98 with an average of 86.3. Twelve patients had the scores in comprehensive evaluation of excellent, 14 of good, and 2 of fair, with the excellent and good rate of 92.86%(26/28). The scores of 25 patients in the descending branch group ranged from 72-97 with an average of 85.8, of which 11 patients had the scores of comprehensive evaluation in excellent, 12 in good and 2 in fair, with the excellent and good rate of 92.00% (23/25). There was no statistically significant difference in the survival rate and comprehensive evaluation scales between the 2 groups of flaps ( P>0.05). Conclusion:ALTPF pedicled with oblique branch of lateral circumflex femoral artery has a higher number of perforating branch, a shorter harvesting time and less damage to the donor site than those of the ALTPF pedicled with descending branch of lateral circumflex femoral artery. When both oblique and descending branches of lateral circumflex femoral artery are present or with the absence of a descending perforating branch, the oblique branch of lateral circumflex femoral artery is the preferred perforating vessel for pedicle in harvesting of an ALTPF.