OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility and clinical outcomes of emergency reconstruction of traumatic dynamic muscle defects using functional superficial vastus lateralis chimeric perforator flap based on descending branch of lateral femoral circumflex artery. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted of 10 patients with traumatic dynamic muscle defects treated between March 2020 and April 2024. There were 8 males and 2 females, aged 23-52 years (mean, 36.7 years). Injuries included 7 cases of Gustilo type ⅢB forearm trauma (2 with flexor muscle group defects, 3 with extensor muscle group defects, and 2 with combined flexor and extensor muscle group defects), 1 case of right first metacarpal defect with concomitant thenar muscle and skin defect, 1 case of complete transection of the right upper arm musclecutaneous nerve extracted from the biceps brachii muscle, and 1 case of Gustilo type ⅢC lower-limb trauma with extensor hallucis longus and toe extensor defects. Soft tissue defects ranged from 10 cm×8 cm to 36 cm×11 cm. Preoperative musculoskeletal ultrasound of the contralateral side was used to measure cross-sectional area, length, and pennation angle of the target muscles. Based on these parameters, anterolateral thigh flaps combined with one or two superficial vastus lateralis muscle segments were designed and transplanted to the recipient sites. The grafts were used to cover wounds, reconstruct major missing muscle groups, and were fixed in place. Vascular and neural anastomoses were performed simultaneously with repair of bone and soft tissue injuries to restore limb perfusion and function. Postoperative evaluation included musculoskeletal ultrasound, electrophysiology, and dynamic assessment of muscle strength during follow-up. RESULTS: All transplanted muscles and flaps survived primarily without vascular or neural complications. All the 10 patients were followed up 10-38 months, with an average of 22.8 months. The muscle strength recovery reached M₅ in 6 cases, M₄ in 3 cases, and M3+ in 1 case. Patients achieving M₄ or above regained their original work capacity; limb contours were symmetrical, with no joint deformities, and patients achieved effective ranges of motion; functional recovery included the ability to push or lift weights of 2-30 kg, perform opposition, and achieve grasping function. All flaps were soft and lustrous, and the protective sensation restored in all patients. There was no discomfort in the donor site and knee joint. Musculoskeletal ultrasound showed that the average cross-sectional area of the transplanted muscles increased by 4%-66% in 10 cases at 1 month after operation, and the ratio of the average cross-sectional area of the transplanted muscles in contraction and relaxation was 1.37±0.16 in 7 cases at 6 months after operation. Electrophysiological examination showed that motor potential could be detected in 8 cases at 2 months after operation, and then the amplitude increased gradually, and 2 cases were not detected. CONCLUSION Emergency reconstruction of traumatic dynamic muscle defects using functional superficial vastus lateralis chimeric perforator flap based on descending branch of lateral femoral circumflex artery achieves near-normal muscle strength recovery and effective joint motion. This technique allows for reconstruction of one or two major muscle groups as clinically required.
Humans ; Male ; Adult ; Female ; Perforator Flap/blood supply* ; Plastic Surgery Procedures/methods* ; Retrospective Studies ; Soft Tissue Injuries/surgery* ; Middle Aged ; Quadriceps Muscle/transplantation* ; Femoral Artery/surgery* ; Young Adult ; Muscle, Skeletal/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome ; Forearm Injuries/surgery*

PURPOSE: A major question remaining in approaches to tissue engineering and organ replacement is the role of native mobilized native cells in the regeneration process of damaged tissues and organs. The goal of this study was to compare the cell mobilizing effects of the chemokine CXCL12 and cell therapy on the urinary sphincter of nonhuman primates (NHP) with chronic intrinsic urinary sphincter dysfunction. METHODS: Either autologous lenti-M-cherry labeled skeletal muscle precursor cells (skMPCs) or CXCL12 were injected directly into the sphincter complex of female NHPs with or without surgery-induced chronic urinary sphincter dysfunction (n=4/treatment condition). All monkeys had partial bone marrow transplantation with autologous lenti-green fluorescent protein (GFP) bone marrow cells prior to treatment. Labeled cells were identified, characterized and quantified using computer-assisted immunohistochemistry 6 months posttreatment. RESULTS: GFP-labeled bone marrow cells (BMCs) were identified in the bone marrow and both BMCs and skMPCs were found in the urinary sphincter at 6-month postinjection. BMCs and skMPCs were present in the striated muscle, smooth muscle, and lamina propria/urothelium of the sphincter tissue. Sphincter injury increased the sphincter content of BMCs when analyzed 6-month postinjection. CXCL12 treatment, but not skMPCs, increased the number of BMCs in all layers of the sphincter complex (P < 0.05). CXCL12 only modestly (P=0.15) increased the number of skMPCs in the sphincter complex. CONCLUSIONS: This dual labeling methodology now provides us with the tools to measure the relative number of locally injected cells versus bone marrow transplanted cells. The results of this study suggest that CXCL12 promotes mobilization of cells to the sphincter, which may contribute more to sphincter regeneration than injected cells.
Bone Marrow ; Bone Marrow Cells ; Bone Marrow Transplantation ; Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy ; Chemokine CXCL12 ; Chemokines ; Female ; Haplorhini ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Muscle, Smooth ; Muscle, Striated ; Primates* ; Regeneration ; Stem Cells ; Tissue Engineering

BACKGROUND: Several tendon graft and fixation methods have been introduced in medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction for recurrent patellar dislocation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of MPFL reconstruction using a gracilis autograft fixation without bone tunnel in patients with recurrent patellar instability. METHODS: Nine patients (four males and five females) diagnosed with recurrent patellar instability from July 2009 to January 2013 and had MPFL reconstruction using a gracilis autograft were included. The average age of the patients was 24.6 years (range, 13 to 48 years), and the average follow-up period was 19.3 months (range, 12 to 30 months). For every patient, femoral attachment was fixed using suture anchors securing the patella by suturing the periosteum and surrounding soft tissue. Clinical evaluation included the Kujala, Lysholm, and Tegner scores; in addition, patients were examined for any complication including recurrent dislocation. The congruence angle and patella alta were assessed radiologically before and after surgery. RESULTS: The Kujala score improved from an average of 42.7 ± 8.4 before surgery to 79.6 ± 13.6 (p = 0.008) at final follow-up; the Lysholm score improved from 45.8 ± 5.7 to 82.0 ± 10.5 (p = 0.008); and the Tegner score improved from 2.8 ± 0.8 to 5.6 ± 1.5 (p = 0.007). The Insall-Salvati ratio changed from 1.16 ± 0.1 (range, 0.94 to 1.35) before surgery to 1.14 ± 0.1 (range, 0.96 to 1.29; p = 0.233) at the final follow-up without significance. The congruence angle significantly improved from 26.5°± 10.6° (range, 12° to 43°) before surgery to -4.0°± 4.3° (range, -12° to 5°; p = 0.008) at final follow-up. Subluxation was observed in one patient and hemarthrosis occurred in another patient 2 years after surgery, but these patients were asymptomatic. CONCLUSIONS: We achieved good results with a patellar fixation technique in MPFL reconstruction using a gracilis autograft employing soft tissue suturing in patients with recurrent patellar dislocation.
Adolescent ; Adult ; *Autografts ; Female ; Humans ; Knee Injuries/radiography/*surgery ; Ligaments, Articular/radiography/*surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Muscle, Skeletal/surgery/transplantation ; Patella/radiography/*surgery ; Patellofemoral Joint/radiography/*surgery ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures/adverse effects/instrumentation/*methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Thigh/surgery ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical effect of lateral superior genicular composite tissue flap for tissue defect.

METHODSThe axis line of flap is the lateral thigh vertical midline. The cutaneous branch is inserted 4 cm near the femoral lateral epicondylus. The anterior border is the elongation line along patellar lateral border. The posterior margin is the hinder margin of femoral biceps. The lower border is the horizontal line along the upper line of patella. The composite flaps were used in 18 cases with soft tissue defects in extremities, 11 cases with clacaneus tenden defects and 16 cases with bony nonunion. Results From Mar. 2002 to Sept. 2013, 45 cases were treated with the composite tissue flaps. The flaps size ranged from 6 cm x 3 cm to 17cm x 9 cm. All the flaps survived completely. Blood supply crisis happened in 2 cases, which was released by reanastomosis. The patients were followed up for 1 - 2. 5 years with satisfactory aesthetic and functional results. All the bone defect and nonunion were healed. Good healing was also achieved in donor sites. 8 months after operation, knee joint function is evaluated as good by hospital special surgery knee score (HSS).

CONCLUSIONLateral superior genicular compostie tissue flap can be used to reconstruct soft tissue defect, bone defect and tenden calcaneus defect in one stage.

Anatomic Landmarks ; anatomy & histology ; Follow-Up Studies ; Graft Survival ; Humans ; Knee ; anatomy & histology ; Muscle, Skeletal ; anatomy & histology ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; pathology ; surgery ; Surgical Flaps ; transplantation ; Thigh ; Time Factors ; Wound Healing

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of reverse saphenous nerve neurocutaneous flaps for skin defects of forefoot.

METHODSIn the anatomic study, 50 cadaveric feet were injected with red latex and the anastomosis, distribution and external diameters of medialtarsal artery, medial anterior malleolus artery, medial plantar artery, the superficial branch of the medial basal hallucal artery and saphenousnerve nutritional vessels were observed. Based on anatomic research results, we designed the reverse saphenous nerve neurocutaneous flaps for repairing skin defects of forefoot.

RESULTSThe blood supply of reverse saphenous nerve neurocutaneous flaps were based on the vasoganglion, which consist of arterial arch at the superior border of abductor hallucis and arterial network on the surface of abductor hallucis around the saphenous nerve and medial pedis flap. From Oct. 2006 to Oct. 2011, the reverse saphenous nerve neurocutaneous flaps were used to repair skin defects of forefoot in 11 cases. The flap size ranged from 2.5 cm x 3.5 cm to 7.5 cm x 8.5 cm. The wounds at donor site were covered with full-thickness skin graft. All flaps survived completely with no ulcer at the donor site. 11 cases were followed up for 6 to 18 months( mean, 10 months). The skin color and texture were satisfactory. The patients could walk very well.

CONCLUSIONSIt is reliable to repair the skin defects of forefoot with reverse saphenous nerve neurocutaneous flaps. It is easily performed with less morbidity. This flap should be considered as a preferential way to reconstruct skin defects of forefoot.

Arteries ; anatomy & histology ; Cadaver ; Female ; Foot ; blood supply ; innervation ; Forefoot, Human ; injuries ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Muscle, Skeletal ; anatomy & histology ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Skin Transplantation ; methods ; Surgical Flaps ; blood supply ; innervation ; Transplant Donor Site ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo explore selection and method of tissue flaps for the repair of severe defects of skin and soft tissue around the knee joints.

METHODSFifty-four patients with wounds around the knee joints, all accompanied by exposure or necrosis of tendon or bone and exposure of prosthesis, were hospitalized in our burn center from June 2008 to December 2014. Five of them were with knee joint injury. After thorough debridement or tumor resection, the wound area ranged from 5 cm × 5 cm to 46 cm × 22 cm. Three patients were repaired with free latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flaps, 7 were repaired with modified sartorius myocutaneous flaps, 8 were repaired with gastrocnemius myocutaneous flaps, one was repaired with gastrocnemius muscle flap, two were repaired with posterior leg flaps combined with gastrocnemius muscle flaps, one was repaired with femoral biceps muscle flap combined with gastrocnemius muscle flap, 13 were repaired with reverse anterolateral thigh island flaps, two were repaired with reverse anterolateral thigh island flap combined with gastrocnemius myocutaneous flaps, two were repaired with superior lateral genicular flaps, 4 were repaired with reverse posterior thigh island flaps, 11 were repaired with saphenous artery flaps. Patellar ligament was reconstructed in 4 patients. The tissue flap size ranged from 5 cm × 5 cm to 38 cm × 19 cm. Some donor sites were sutured directly, and the others were closed by split-thickness skin grafting obtained from ipsilateral or contralateral legs.

RESULTSAmong 59 tissue flaps of 54 patients, 55 tissue flaps of 50 patients survived, while necrosis of the distal part was observed in 4 tissue flaps, including one saphenous artery flap, two reverse anterolateral thigh island flaps, and one free latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap. Among them, 3 flaps with necrosis at the distal part healed after debridement followed by skin grafting, one myocutaneous flap healed by transplanting gastrocnemius myocutaneous flap. During the follow-up period of 6 to 36 months, the tissue flaps were in good appearance and texture, and knee joint function was good in most cases. In 4 patients the knee joint function was satisfactory after patellar ligament reconstruction, while stiffness was observed in 4 out of 5 patients with knee joint injury.

CONCLUSIONSFree latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flaps are preferred to repair extensive defects around the knee joints. Reverse anterolateral thigh island flaps followed by saphenous artery flaps are preferred to repair wounds around the anterior knee. Wounds of the lateral knee are mainly repaired with reverse anterolateral thigh island flaps, and for small wounds the use of the superior lateral genicular flaps may be considered. Wounds of the medial knee can be repaired with modified sartorius myocutaneous flaps or saphenous artery flaps. Wounds of the posterior knee can be repaired with reverse posterior thigh island flaps or superior lateral genicular flaps. Wounds with severe infection or large space can be repaired with gastrocnemius myocutaneous flaps or muscle flaps or modified sartorius myocutaneous flaps. Anterolateral thigh flaps and gastrocnemius myocutaneous flaps are preferred in cases with indication of patellar ligament reconstruction.

Debridement ; Humans ; Knee Injuries ; surgery ; Knee Joint ; pathology ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Necrosis ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Skin Transplantation ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; surgery ; Surgical Flaps ; Treatment Outcome ; Wound Healing

This article briefly summarizes the techniques for repair of skin and soft tissue defects around the knee joints as reported in 5 papers in this issue, including how to choose the skin flap, muscle flap, myocutaneous flap, and vascular anastomosis in recipient site. It is found that the anterolateral femoral flap, latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap, and gastrocnemius flap are widely used in clinic with high survival rates, and they can be used for the repair of large soft tissue defects as well as the reconstruction of the knee joint function.
Humans ; Knee Injuries ; surgery ; Knee Joint ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Myocutaneous Flap ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Skin ; Skin Transplantation ; methods ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; surgery ; Surgical Flaps ; Treatment Outcome ; Wound Healing

OBJECTIVETo reconstruct a simpler and reliable composite tissue transplantation model-the femur osteomyocutaneous flap for the replacement of hindlimb transplantation.

METHODSTen femur osteomyocutaneous flaps from 5 Lewis rats were transplanted into 10 syngeneic recipients' inguinal region. Their nutrient vessels were anastomosed with recipients vessels. The graft of this model was consisted of the groin flap and partial femur. To verify the feasibility of this model, gross and histological appearance were studied after transplantation to evaluate the viability of grafts.

RESULTSThe operative time was (159.0 +/- 8.3) min with the harvesting time of (68.0 +/- 4.8) min and the ischemia time of (55. 8 +/- 6.8) min. The methylene blue injection showed rich blood supply of transplanted femur osteomyocutaneous flap. All the 10 flaps survived completely with pink skin color and hair regrowth. The histologic examination of the flaps also revealed the normal appearance of the viable skin and bone marrow.

CONCLUSIONSThe femur osteomyocutaneous flap is a simple and reliable model for composite tissue transplantation, and its establishment will provide a new tool for the study of composite tissue allografts.

Animals ; Bone Transplantation ; Femur ; transplantation ; Male ; Models, Animal ; Muscle, Skeletal ; transplantation ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred Lew ; Skin Transplantation ; Surgical Flaps ; Tissue Transplantation

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of free and pedicled thoracodorsal artery perforator (TDAP) flaps for repairing skin and soft tissue defects in limbs, neck, axillary and shoulder.

METHODSFrom October 2009 to Auguest 2011, 16 TDAP flaps were used to repair skin and tissue defects. Among them, five ipsilateral pedicled flaps were used to repair wounds in neck, axillary and shoulder. 11 free TDAP flaps were used to repair the wounds with bone or tendon exposure. In 12 cases, the flaps were pedicled with thoracodorsal artery and vein-lateral branches-perforators, in 4 cases, pedicled with thoracodorsal artery and vein-serratus anterior muscular branches-perforators. The deep fascia, the latissimus dorsi and thoracodorsal nerve were not included in all flaps. The flaps size ranged from 10 cm x 5 cm to 26 cm x 10 cm.

RESULTSAll 16 flaps survived completely with primary healing both at donor site and recipent area. After a follow-up of 3 to 24 months, all flaps gained good texture and appearance. Only linear scar was left at donor area. The shoulder could move freely.

CONCLUSIONSTDAP flap has good texture, long vascular pedicle,and reliable blood supply, leaving less morbidity at donor site. The latissimus dorsi and thoracodorsal nerve are also preserved. The pedicled TDAP flap is an ideal flap for repairing the ipsilateral skin and soft tissue defects of the neck, shoulder, axillary. The free TDAP flap is suited for repairing skin and soft tissue defects of the extremities.

Arteries ; Axilla ; Humans ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Perforator Flap ; transplantation ; Surgical Flaps ; blood supply ; transplantation ; Thoracic Wall ; Wound Healing ; Wounds and Injuries ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical effect of transplantation of the long head of biceps femoris muscle flap in combination with semi-V posterior thigh fasciocutaneous flap for repair of pressure sores over ischial tuberosity.

METHODSEight patients with 10 deep pressure sores over ischial tuberosity were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital to the PLA General Hospital and the 98th Hospital of PLA from April 2004 to June 2010. The wounds measured from 2 cm × 2 cm to 6 cm × 4 cm were covered with the long head of biceps femoris muscle flap and semi-V posterior thigh fasciocutaneous flap (ranged from 10 cm × 6 cm to 13 cm × 8 cm). The condition of flaps was observed and followed up for a long time.

RESULTSAll flaps survived. Nine wounds healed by first intention. Subcutaneous accumulation of fluids occurred in one wound with formation of a sinus at drainage site, and it healed after dressing change for 25 days. Patients were followed up for 7 to 34 months. Sore recurred in one patient 9 months after surgery, and it was successfully repaired with the same flap for the second time. Flaps in the other 7 patients appeared satisfactory with soft texture and without ulceration.

CONCLUSIONSThis combined flap is easy in formation and transfer, and it causes little side injury with good resistance against pressure. It is a new method for repair of pressure sore over sacral region.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Ischium ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Muscle, Skeletal ; transplantation ; Pressure Ulcer ; surgery ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Skin Transplantation ; methods ; Surgical Flaps