Objective:To explore the research hotspots and emerging trends in the field of breast cancer-associated lymphedema, as reflected in the domestic and international literatures.Methods:The bibliometric method was used to retrieve literatures related to breast cancer-associated lymphedema from the Wanfang Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Science and Technology Journal Database, and the core collection of Web of Science, covering the time range from January 1, 2014, to December 31, 2023. CiteSpace 6.3.R3 software was employed for analysis, which involved statistical assessment of the publication volume, authors, countries, and institutions, as well as the identification of highly cited papers. A co-occurrence analysis of keywords was performed, followed by burst analysis and cluster analysis based on the results.Results:A total of 4 419 Chinese-language articles were retrieved from the three Chinese databases, of which 2 888 were included after duplicate removal. The Web of Science Core Collection yielded 2 142 English-language articles. Among the domestic authors, the top three with the highest publication counts were Zhang Lijuan (25 papers), Jia Jie (22 papers), and Zhong Qiaoling (21 papers). In the English-language literatures, the top three authors with the highest number of publications were Singhal D (32 papers), Devoogdt N (27 papers), and Boyages J (27 papers). A total of 76 countries worldwide had conducted research on breast cancer-associated lymphedema, with the United States contributing the most publications (748 papers), followed by China (227 papers). In total, 642 institutions worldwide had publications on this topic, with 385 domestic institutions. The leading domestic institution was Jiangxi Provincial Cancer Hospital (31 papers), while the top foreign institution was Harvard University (118 papers). The Top 10 most cited papers focused on key research areas in breast cancer-associated lymphedema. A total of 359 Chinese keywords and 513 English keywords were included for co-occurrence analysis. The five most frequent Chinese keywords were quality of life, nursing, complications, upper limb function, and risk factors. In the English literatures, the top five most frequent keywords were quality of life, women, survivors, risk factors, and surgery. Cluster analysis of the keywords revealed 16 clusters in the Chinese literatures, with the largest cluster "functional exercise", while 17 clusters were identified in the English literatures, with the largest cluster "lymph node transfer". The five most consistent clusters in Chinese literatures were lymphatic drainage, rehabilitation, functional impairment, evidence-based nursing, and circumferential lymphatics. In recent years, emerging topics in Chinese literatures included lymphatic drainage, breast reconstruction, and pathophysiology. In English literatures, the consistent top clusters were transplantation, node biopsy, morbidity, identification, and randomized trials, with recent emerging topics including obesity, adipose tissue, healing approaches, lymphatic microsurgical preventive healing approach, and anastomosis.Conclusion:The research on breast cancer-related lymphedema both domestically and internationally shows similarities and differences in direction and focus. Common research hotspots across both domestic and international studies include lymphatic drainage, functional exercise, health behaviors, and lymph node transfer. Recent emerging topics in Chinese literatures include lymphatic drainage, breast reconstruction, and pathophysiology. In contrast, English literatures focus more on the areas such as obesity, adipose tissue, healing methods, and lymphatic anastomosis.

Objective:To discusses the feasibility and clinical efficacy of the chimeric musculocutaneous flap pedicled with a superior gluteal artery perforator (SGAP) in treatment of Grade Ⅳ pressure sore around ischial tuberosity.Methods:A retrospective case study was conducted on 8 patients with Grade Ⅳ pressure sores around ischial tuberosity and treated in the Department of Plastic Surgery and Burns, the Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University from May 2019 to June 2023. The patients included 5 males and 3 females, aged 66.8 (40-78) years. All patients had paraplegia for 2 months to 10 years (mean, 59.2 months) and were complicated with hypoproteinemia. Two of the patients were also with sepsis. History of the Grade Ⅳ pressure sore was up to 1 month to 3.5 years (mean, 19.3 months). The sores were located on the right hip in 5 patients and left hip in 3 patients. The tissue defects of the pressure sore measured at 5 cm×5 cm to 6 cm×9 cm in size and all extended to the ischial tuberosity. Chimeric musculocutaneous flaps pedicled with a SGAP were used in the treatment of defect. The flap size ranged from 4 cm×8 cm to 7 cm×15 cm, and the muscular flap were at 8 cm×4 cm×2 cm to 14 cm×7 cm×5 cm in size. The muscular flaps were used to fill the cavities formed by the ulcer, while the flaps were used to cover the wounds. Donor and recipient site were sutured directly. The postoperative follow-ups were conducted at outpatient clinic and via telephone and WeChat interviews, and focused on evaluations of flap survival, complications, flap appearance and the recurrence of ulcer.Results:All the 8 flaps survived. All patients were included in the 3 to 16 months of postoperative follow-up, with 11.8 months in average. One flap had a partial edge split due to excessive pressure during negative pressure drainage, and healed after debridement and re-suture. Otherwise, the rest of 7 patients had primary healing at both the donor and recipient sites. All flaps had good appearance without ulceration, infection or recurrence of pressure sore.Conclusion:The chimeric musculocutaneous flap pedicled with SGAP offers a reliable blood supply, flexible rotation and sufficient tissue volume. It can be used to effectively reconstruct Grade Ⅳ pressure sore around ischial tuberosity with a reliable clinical effect.

Objective:To investigate the surgical technique and clinical outcomes of the tri-lobed chain medial plantar perforator flaps for reconstruction of soft tissue defects in palmar hand.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 6 patients (4 males and 2 females; aged 21-63 years with mean age of 39.2 years) who had soft tissue defects in palmar hands and were reconstructed with tri-lobed chain medial plantar perforator flaps in the Department of Plastic Surgery and Burns, the Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University between July 2024 and April 2025. All defects were located on palmar aspect of the injured hands. Following admission, debridement, fracture reduction and fixation and tendon repairs were carried out in primary surgery for 5 patients who had traumatic injuries with digital or metacarpal fractures and tendon ruptures, and stage-II surgery for soft tissue reconstruction was conducted at 7-9 days later. The patient with scar contracture received preoperative evaluation then followed by a scar excision and release surgery, prior to a reconstructive surgery for soft tissue defects. Four patients presented with multi-site defects, of whom, 1 patient had proximal phalangeal defects of index and middle fingers and a defect of metacarpophalangeal joint of ring finger, 1 patient had a defect of metacarpophalangeal joint of index finger and defects of proximal phalanges of middle and ring fingers, 1 patient had defects of proximal phalanges of index, middle and little fingers, and 1 patient had defects of proximal phalanges of middle, ring and little fingers. Of the patients with finger defects, the sizes of defect ranged from 2.0 cm ×1.8 cm to 6.0 cm×2.8 cm and the defects were reconstructed with individually harvested tri-lobed chain medial plantar perforator flaps. Two patients had soft tissue defects in palmar hands and they were measured at 6.0 cm×5.5 cm and 6.0 cm×7.0 cm in size. The palmar defects were reconstructed using combined tri-lobed chain flaps with the sizes of individual lobulated flap ranging from 2.1 cm×1.9 cm to 6.0 cm×2.9 cm. All foot donor sites were primarily closed with interrupted sutures. Postoperative management included routine anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant and antispasmodic treatment. Patients were discharged at 8-10 days after surgery and the postoperative follow-ups were conducted at outpatient clinic to monitor flap survival, contour, hand function, donor site healing, scar formation and foot function.Results:All flaps survived with primary healing of donor sites. Over the 1 to 9 (mean 6.1) months of postoperative follow-up, all flaps survived well with colour and thickness matching with the surrounding hand skin. At 6 months after surgery, two-point discrimination (TPD) of flaps achieved to 8-11 (mean 8.6) mm. According to the Evaluation Trial Standards of Upper Limb Partial Functional of Hand Surgery of Chinese Medical Association, 4 patients achieved function recovery of fingers in excellent and 2 in good. Donor sites exhibited linear scars without painful scarring or paraesthesia, with normal ankle function and gaits.Conclusion:Tri-lobed medial plantar perforator flaps can be used to reconstruct soft tissue defects in palmar hand with primary and direct closure of the flap donor sites. They can simultaneously reconstruct multiple or a large defects, and provide satisfactory aesthetic and functional outcomes. It is a feasible surgical option.

Objective:To explore the clinical effect of thin superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator flap with venous superdrainage in treatment of wound in extremities.Methods:Clinical data of 20 patients who were treated from January 2018 to January 2024 in the Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University were retrospectively analysed. The soft tissue defects in extremity were reconstructed with thin perforator flaps of superficial iliac circumflex artery with venous superdrainage. There were 13 patients with upper limb defects and 7 with ankle defects. Of the defects, 12 were of trauma, 2 of tumour resection, 3 of scar release surgery and 3 of donor flat harvesting. The defects ranged from 5.0 cm×4.0 cm to 18.0 cm×7.0 cm in size. During the surgery, portable Doppler was used to detect the perforating branches of the superficial rotational iliac artery and design flaps. The flaps were 5.0 cm×5.0 cm to 20.0 cm×7.0 cm in size, including 16 single-lobed flaps, 3 double-lobed flaps and 1 triple-lobed flaps. The flaps were 2-7 mm in thickness, with an average of 4 mm. Based on the distribution of perforators, the flaps carried the superficial helioiliac artery and the accompanying vein, as well as the superficial helioiliac vein. The superficial helioiliac artery and the accompanying vein were anastomosed during the surgery, and the superficial helioiliac vein was anastomosed to the superficial or deep vein of the recipient site for superreflux. The donor sites were all directly sutured and closed. Postoperative follow-up was conducted by visits of outpatient clinic, and via telephone and WeChat interviews. The survival and appearance of the flaps and complications were observed.Results:A total of 22 arteries and 42 veins of the 20 flaps were anastomosed in surgery. All flaps survived. The donor sites were closed in the first stage. No vascular compromise occurred. One patient had early exudate under the flap on the exposed wound of interphalangeal joint, which healed after routine dressing change and drainage. All patients were included in the postoperative follow-up, with a peroid over 5 to 40 months, at 10.8 months in average. The flaps were thin and soft, with good wear resistance and without pigmentation. The healing of donor sites was good except 1 donore site that had early lymphatic leakage, which was cured after compression and drainage. A linear scar left at the donor sites and it was acceptable to the patients.Conclusion:The treatment of defective soft tissue wounds in extremities using thin perforator flap with venous superdrainage of the superficial circumflex iliac artery is safe and feasible. No further flap thinning surgery is required, and there is a reliable clinical effect.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical effect of antibiotic-loaded bone cement implantation combined with free chimeric tissue flap transplantation in the sequential treatment of severe gouty wounds.Methods:This study was a retrospective observational study. From July 2019 to July 2022, 11 male patients with severe gouty wounds who were aged 33 to 71 years and met the inclusion criteria were admitted and treated at the Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University. The wounds were located on the hands in 2 cases, the ankles in 5 cases, and the feet in 4 cases. After debridement, the wound area ranged from 5.0 cm×4.0 cm to 22.0 cm×6.0 cm. All wounds were sequentially repaired with antibiotic-loaded bone cement implantation combined with free chimeric tissue flaps transplantation. Two cases were repaired by free perforating branch of superficial circumflex iliac artery with chimeric osseous flaps, with the areas of harvested skin flaps being 5.5 cm×4.0 cm and 8.0 cm×6.0 cm, respectively, and the volumes of iliac bone flaps being 2.0 cm×2.0 cm×1.5 cm and 3.5 cm×2.0 cm×2.0 cm, respectively. Two cases were repaired by free perforating branch of deep circumflex iliac artery with chimeric osseous flaps, with the areas of harvested skin flaps being 6.0 cm×4.0 cm and 7.5 cm×5.0 cm, respectively, and the volumes of iliac bone flaps being 2.0 cm×1.5 cm×1.5 cm and 2.5 cm×2.0 cm×1.5 cm, respectively. Seven cases were repaired by free chimeric myocutaneous flaps based on the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery. The areas of harvested skin flaps ranged from 9.5 cm×6.0 cm to 25.0 cm×6.5 cm, and the volumes of muscle flaps ranged from 4.0 cm×3.0 cm×2.0 cm to 6.0 cm×5.0 cm×2.5 cm. The donor site wounds were directly sutured. The chimeric tissue flap was freely transplanted to the recipient wound site, of which the iliac bone graft was used to fill the bone defect, the muscle flap was utilized to fill the wound cavity, and the skin flap was employed to cover the wound surface; the arteries and veins in the vascular pedicle were anastomosed with those in the recipient area. At admission and 3 days post antibiotic-loaded bone cement implantation, the changes in white blood cell count, neutrophil and hypersensitive C-reactive protein level, as well as the bacterial culture of wound secretions specimen, and the growth of granulation tissue were observed. After stage Ⅱ surgery, the survival of transplanted chimeric tissue flaps, the occurrence of vascular crisis, and the healing of wounds in donor and recipient sites were observed. During follow-up, the blood supply, appearance, and texture of the transplanted tissue flaps in the recipient sites, the function and appearance of the affected limbs and fingers, and the complications in the donor and recipient sites were observed.Results:Three days post antibiotic-loaded bone cement implantation, white blood cell count, hypersensitive C-reactive protein level, and neutrophil significantly decreased compared with those at admission (with Z values of -2.93 and -2.93 respectively, t=8.63, P<0.05). At admission, all patients exhibited bacterial infections with redness and swelling around the wounds. Three days post antibiotic-loaded bone cement implantation, bacterial cultures of wound secretions specimen were negative, local redness resolved, and granulation tissue showed good growth. After stage Ⅱ surgery, all chimeric flaps survived without vascular crises. The wound healing in the recipient site of the dorsum of the foot in one patient was poor and delayed but healed after dressing changes; all the other recipient sites in remaining patients healed successfully. The donor incision healed well in all patients. During 6 to 24 months of follow-up, the flaps in the recipient area demonstrated good blood circulation, texture, and appearance. Bone healing was achieved in 4 patients with iliac grafts. Nine patients with lower limb wounds were able to bear weight, and the functions including gripping, palm alignment, and finger alignment were significantly improved in 2 patients with hand wounds. No significant complications were observed in donor or recipient sites. Conclusions:In treating patients with severe gouty wounds, the sequential strategy of stage Ⅰ debridement with antibiotic-loaded bone cement implantation followed by stage Ⅱ free chimeric osseous flaps or myocutaneous flaps repair can achieve effectively control of postoperative wound infection, promote wound healing, and well restore the functions of affected finger or limb with no obvious complications, which is worthy of promotion for clinical application.

Objective:To discusses the feasibility and clinical efficacy of the chimeric musculocutaneous flap pedicled with a superior gluteal artery perforator (SGAP) in treatment of Grade Ⅳ pressure sore around ischial tuberosity.Methods:A retrospective case study was conducted on 8 patients with Grade Ⅳ pressure sores around ischial tuberosity and treated in the Department of Plastic Surgery and Burns, the Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University from May 2019 to June 2023. The patients included 5 males and 3 females, aged 66.8 (40-78) years. All patients had paraplegia for 2 months to 10 years (mean, 59.2 months) and were complicated with hypoproteinemia. Two of the patients were also with sepsis. History of the Grade Ⅳ pressure sore was up to 1 month to 3.5 years (mean, 19.3 months). The sores were located on the right hip in 5 patients and left hip in 3 patients. The tissue defects of the pressure sore measured at 5 cm×5 cm to 6 cm×9 cm in size and all extended to the ischial tuberosity. Chimeric musculocutaneous flaps pedicled with a SGAP were used in the treatment of defect. The flap size ranged from 4 cm×8 cm to 7 cm×15 cm, and the muscular flap were at 8 cm×4 cm×2 cm to 14 cm×7 cm×5 cm in size. The muscular flaps were used to fill the cavities formed by the ulcer, while the flaps were used to cover the wounds. Donor and recipient site were sutured directly. The postoperative follow-ups were conducted at outpatient clinic and via telephone and WeChat interviews, and focused on evaluations of flap survival, complications, flap appearance and the recurrence of ulcer.Results:All the 8 flaps survived. All patients were included in the 3 to 16 months of postoperative follow-up, with 11.8 months in average. One flap had a partial edge split due to excessive pressure during negative pressure drainage, and healed after debridement and re-suture. Otherwise, the rest of 7 patients had primary healing at both the donor and recipient sites. All flaps had good appearance without ulceration, infection or recurrence of pressure sore.Conclusion:The chimeric musculocutaneous flap pedicled with SGAP offers a reliable blood supply, flexible rotation and sufficient tissue volume. It can be used to effectively reconstruct Grade Ⅳ pressure sore around ischial tuberosity with a reliable clinical effect.

Objective:To investigate the surgical technique and clinical outcomes of the tri-lobed chain medial plantar perforator flaps for reconstruction of soft tissue defects in palmar hand.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 6 patients (4 males and 2 females; aged 21-63 years with mean age of 39.2 years) who had soft tissue defects in palmar hands and were reconstructed with tri-lobed chain medial plantar perforator flaps in the Department of Plastic Surgery and Burns, the Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University between July 2024 and April 2025. All defects were located on palmar aspect of the injured hands. Following admission, debridement, fracture reduction and fixation and tendon repairs were carried out in primary surgery for 5 patients who had traumatic injuries with digital or metacarpal fractures and tendon ruptures, and stage-II surgery for soft tissue reconstruction was conducted at 7-9 days later. The patient with scar contracture received preoperative evaluation then followed by a scar excision and release surgery, prior to a reconstructive surgery for soft tissue defects. Four patients presented with multi-site defects, of whom, 1 patient had proximal phalangeal defects of index and middle fingers and a defect of metacarpophalangeal joint of ring finger, 1 patient had a defect of metacarpophalangeal joint of index finger and defects of proximal phalanges of middle and ring fingers, 1 patient had defects of proximal phalanges of index, middle and little fingers, and 1 patient had defects of proximal phalanges of middle, ring and little fingers. Of the patients with finger defects, the sizes of defect ranged from 2.0 cm ×1.8 cm to 6.0 cm×2.8 cm and the defects were reconstructed with individually harvested tri-lobed chain medial plantar perforator flaps. Two patients had soft tissue defects in palmar hands and they were measured at 6.0 cm×5.5 cm and 6.0 cm×7.0 cm in size. The palmar defects were reconstructed using combined tri-lobed chain flaps with the sizes of individual lobulated flap ranging from 2.1 cm×1.9 cm to 6.0 cm×2.9 cm. All foot donor sites were primarily closed with interrupted sutures. Postoperative management included routine anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant and antispasmodic treatment. Patients were discharged at 8-10 days after surgery and the postoperative follow-ups were conducted at outpatient clinic to monitor flap survival, contour, hand function, donor site healing, scar formation and foot function.Results:All flaps survived with primary healing of donor sites. Over the 1 to 9 (mean 6.1) months of postoperative follow-up, all flaps survived well with colour and thickness matching with the surrounding hand skin. At 6 months after surgery, two-point discrimination (TPD) of flaps achieved to 8-11 (mean 8.6) mm. According to the Evaluation Trial Standards of Upper Limb Partial Functional of Hand Surgery of Chinese Medical Association, 4 patients achieved function recovery of fingers in excellent and 2 in good. Donor sites exhibited linear scars without painful scarring or paraesthesia, with normal ankle function and gaits.Conclusion:Tri-lobed medial plantar perforator flaps can be used to reconstruct soft tissue defects in palmar hand with primary and direct closure of the flap donor sites. They can simultaneously reconstruct multiple or a large defects, and provide satisfactory aesthetic and functional outcomes. It is a feasible surgical option.

Objective:To explore the clinical effect of thin superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator flap with venous superdrainage in treatment of wound in extremities.Methods:Clinical data of 20 patients who were treated from January 2018 to January 2024 in the Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University were retrospectively analysed. The soft tissue defects in extremity were reconstructed with thin perforator flaps of superficial iliac circumflex artery with venous superdrainage. There were 13 patients with upper limb defects and 7 with ankle defects. Of the defects, 12 were of trauma, 2 of tumour resection, 3 of scar release surgery and 3 of donor flat harvesting. The defects ranged from 5.0 cm×4.0 cm to 18.0 cm×7.0 cm in size. During the surgery, portable Doppler was used to detect the perforating branches of the superficial rotational iliac artery and design flaps. The flaps were 5.0 cm×5.0 cm to 20.0 cm×7.0 cm in size, including 16 single-lobed flaps, 3 double-lobed flaps and 1 triple-lobed flaps. The flaps were 2-7 mm in thickness, with an average of 4 mm. Based on the distribution of perforators, the flaps carried the superficial helioiliac artery and the accompanying vein, as well as the superficial helioiliac vein. The superficial helioiliac artery and the accompanying vein were anastomosed during the surgery, and the superficial helioiliac vein was anastomosed to the superficial or deep vein of the recipient site for superreflux. The donor sites were all directly sutured and closed. Postoperative follow-up was conducted by visits of outpatient clinic, and via telephone and WeChat interviews. The survival and appearance of the flaps and complications were observed.Results:A total of 22 arteries and 42 veins of the 20 flaps were anastomosed in surgery. All flaps survived. The donor sites were closed in the first stage. No vascular compromise occurred. One patient had early exudate under the flap on the exposed wound of interphalangeal joint, which healed after routine dressing change and drainage. All patients were included in the postoperative follow-up, with a peroid over 5 to 40 months, at 10.8 months in average. The flaps were thin and soft, with good wear resistance and without pigmentation. The healing of donor sites was good except 1 donore site that had early lymphatic leakage, which was cured after compression and drainage. A linear scar left at the donor sites and it was acceptable to the patients.Conclusion:The treatment of defective soft tissue wounds in extremities using thin perforator flap with venous superdrainage of the superficial circumflex iliac artery is safe and feasible. No further flap thinning surgery is required, and there is a reliable clinical effect.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical effect of antibiotic-loaded bone cement implantation combined with free chimeric tissue flap transplantation in the sequential treatment of severe gouty wounds.Methods:This study was a retrospective observational study. From July 2019 to July 2022, 11 male patients with severe gouty wounds who were aged 33 to 71 years and met the inclusion criteria were admitted and treated at the Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University. The wounds were located on the hands in 2 cases, the ankles in 5 cases, and the feet in 4 cases. After debridement, the wound area ranged from 5.0 cm×4.0 cm to 22.0 cm×6.0 cm. All wounds were sequentially repaired with antibiotic-loaded bone cement implantation combined with free chimeric tissue flaps transplantation. Two cases were repaired by free perforating branch of superficial circumflex iliac artery with chimeric osseous flaps, with the areas of harvested skin flaps being 5.5 cm×4.0 cm and 8.0 cm×6.0 cm, respectively, and the volumes of iliac bone flaps being 2.0 cm×2.0 cm×1.5 cm and 3.5 cm×2.0 cm×2.0 cm, respectively. Two cases were repaired by free perforating branch of deep circumflex iliac artery with chimeric osseous flaps, with the areas of harvested skin flaps being 6.0 cm×4.0 cm and 7.5 cm×5.0 cm, respectively, and the volumes of iliac bone flaps being 2.0 cm×1.5 cm×1.5 cm and 2.5 cm×2.0 cm×1.5 cm, respectively. Seven cases were repaired by free chimeric myocutaneous flaps based on the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery. The areas of harvested skin flaps ranged from 9.5 cm×6.0 cm to 25.0 cm×6.5 cm, and the volumes of muscle flaps ranged from 4.0 cm×3.0 cm×2.0 cm to 6.0 cm×5.0 cm×2.5 cm. The donor site wounds were directly sutured. The chimeric tissue flap was freely transplanted to the recipient wound site, of which the iliac bone graft was used to fill the bone defect, the muscle flap was utilized to fill the wound cavity, and the skin flap was employed to cover the wound surface; the arteries and veins in the vascular pedicle were anastomosed with those in the recipient area. At admission and 3 days post antibiotic-loaded bone cement implantation, the changes in white blood cell count, neutrophil and hypersensitive C-reactive protein level, as well as the bacterial culture of wound secretions specimen, and the growth of granulation tissue were observed. After stage Ⅱ surgery, the survival of transplanted chimeric tissue flaps, the occurrence of vascular crisis, and the healing of wounds in donor and recipient sites were observed. During follow-up, the blood supply, appearance, and texture of the transplanted tissue flaps in the recipient sites, the function and appearance of the affected limbs and fingers, and the complications in the donor and recipient sites were observed.Results:Three days post antibiotic-loaded bone cement implantation, white blood cell count, hypersensitive C-reactive protein level, and neutrophil significantly decreased compared with those at admission (with Z values of -2.93 and -2.93 respectively, t=8.63, P<0.05). At admission, all patients exhibited bacterial infections with redness and swelling around the wounds. Three days post antibiotic-loaded bone cement implantation, bacterial cultures of wound secretions specimen were negative, local redness resolved, and granulation tissue showed good growth. After stage Ⅱ surgery, all chimeric flaps survived without vascular crises. The wound healing in the recipient site of the dorsum of the foot in one patient was poor and delayed but healed after dressing changes; all the other recipient sites in remaining patients healed successfully. The donor incision healed well in all patients. During 6 to 24 months of follow-up, the flaps in the recipient area demonstrated good blood circulation, texture, and appearance. Bone healing was achieved in 4 patients with iliac grafts. Nine patients with lower limb wounds were able to bear weight, and the functions including gripping, palm alignment, and finger alignment were significantly improved in 2 patients with hand wounds. No significant complications were observed in donor or recipient sites. Conclusions:In treating patients with severe gouty wounds, the sequential strategy of stage Ⅰ debridement with antibiotic-loaded bone cement implantation followed by stage Ⅱ free chimeric osseous flaps or myocutaneous flaps repair can achieve effectively control of postoperative wound infection, promote wound healing, and well restore the functions of affected finger or limb with no obvious complications, which is worthy of promotion for clinical application.

Objective:To explore the research hotspots and emerging trends in the field of breast cancer-associated lymphedema, as reflected in the domestic and international literatures.Methods:The bibliometric method was used to retrieve literatures related to breast cancer-associated lymphedema from the Wanfang Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Science and Technology Journal Database, and the core collection of Web of Science, covering the time range from January 1, 2014, to December 31, 2023. CiteSpace 6.3.R3 software was employed for analysis, which involved statistical assessment of the publication volume, authors, countries, and institutions, as well as the identification of highly cited papers. A co-occurrence analysis of keywords was performed, followed by burst analysis and cluster analysis based on the results.Results:A total of 4 419 Chinese-language articles were retrieved from the three Chinese databases, of which 2 888 were included after duplicate removal. The Web of Science Core Collection yielded 2 142 English-language articles. Among the domestic authors, the top three with the highest publication counts were Zhang Lijuan (25 papers), Jia Jie (22 papers), and Zhong Qiaoling (21 papers). In the English-language literatures, the top three authors with the highest number of publications were Singhal D (32 papers), Devoogdt N (27 papers), and Boyages J (27 papers). A total of 76 countries worldwide had conducted research on breast cancer-associated lymphedema, with the United States contributing the most publications (748 papers), followed by China (227 papers). In total, 642 institutions worldwide had publications on this topic, with 385 domestic institutions. The leading domestic institution was Jiangxi Provincial Cancer Hospital (31 papers), while the top foreign institution was Harvard University (118 papers). The Top 10 most cited papers focused on key research areas in breast cancer-associated lymphedema. A total of 359 Chinese keywords and 513 English keywords were included for co-occurrence analysis. The five most frequent Chinese keywords were quality of life, nursing, complications, upper limb function, and risk factors. In the English literatures, the top five most frequent keywords were quality of life, women, survivors, risk factors, and surgery. Cluster analysis of the keywords revealed 16 clusters in the Chinese literatures, with the largest cluster "functional exercise", while 17 clusters were identified in the English literatures, with the largest cluster "lymph node transfer". The five most consistent clusters in Chinese literatures were lymphatic drainage, rehabilitation, functional impairment, evidence-based nursing, and circumferential lymphatics. In recent years, emerging topics in Chinese literatures included lymphatic drainage, breast reconstruction, and pathophysiology. In English literatures, the consistent top clusters were transplantation, node biopsy, morbidity, identification, and randomized trials, with recent emerging topics including obesity, adipose tissue, healing approaches, lymphatic microsurgical preventive healing approach, and anastomosis.Conclusion:The research on breast cancer-related lymphedema both domestically and internationally shows similarities and differences in direction and focus. Common research hotspots across both domestic and international studies include lymphatic drainage, functional exercise, health behaviors, and lymph node transfer. Recent emerging topics in Chinese literatures include lymphatic drainage, breast reconstruction, and pathophysiology. In contrast, English literatures focus more on the areas such as obesity, adipose tissue, healing methods, and lymphatic anastomosis.