OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical application of high-frequency color Doppler ultrasound (HFCDU) in detecting perforators in the deep adipose layers for harvesting super-thin anterolateral thigh flap (ALTF). METHODS: Between August 2019 and January 2023, 45 patients (46 sides) with skin and soft tissue defects in the foot and ankle were treated, including 29 males and 16 females, aged from 22 to 62 years, with an average of 46.7 years. The body mass index ranged from 19.6 to 36.2 kg/m ², with an average of 23.62 kg/m ². The causes of injury included traffic accident injury in 15 cases, heavy object crush injury in 20 cases, mechanical injury in 8 cases, heat crush injury in 1 case, and chronic infection in 1 case. There were 20 cases on the left side, 24 cases on the right side, and 1 case on both sides. After thorough debridement, the wound size ranged from 5 cm×4 cm to 17 cm×11 cm. All patients underwent free super-thin ALTF transplantation repair. HFCDU was used to detect the location of the perforators piercing the deep and superficial fascia, as well as the direction and branches of the perforators within the deep adipose layers before operation. According to the preoperative HFCDU findings, the dimensions of the super-thin ALTF ranged from 6 cm×4 cm to 18 cm×12 cm. The donor sites of the flaps were directly sutured. RESULTS: A total of 55 perforators were detected by HFCDU before operation, but 1 was not found during operation. During operation, a total of 56 perforators were found, and 2 perforators were not detected by HFCDU. The positive predictive value of HFCDU for identifying perforator vessels was 98.2%, and the sensitivity was 96.4%. Among the 54 perforators accurately located by HFCDU, the orientation of the perforators in the deep adipose layers was confirmed during operation. There were 21 perforators (38.9%) traveled laterally and inferiorly, 12 (22.2%) traveled medially and inferiorly, 14 (25.9%) traveled laterally and superiorly, 5 (9.3%) traveled medially and superiorly, and 2 (3.7%) ran almost vertically to the body surface. Among the 54 perforators accurately located by HFCDU, 35 were identified as type 1 perforators and 12 as type 2 perforators (HFCDU misidentified 7 type 2 perforators as type 1 perforators). The sensitivity of HFCDU in identifying type 1 perforators was 100%, with a positive predictive value of 83.3%. For type 2 perforators, the sensitivity was 63.2%, and the positive predictive value was 100%. The surgeries were successfully completed. The super-thin ALTF had a thickness ranging from 2 to 6 mm, with an average of 3.56 mm. All super-thin ALTF survived, however, 1 flap experienced a venous crisis at 1 day after operation, but it survived after emergency exploration and re-anastomosis of the veins; 1 flap developed venous crisis at 3 days after operation but survived after bleeding with several small incisions; 3 flaps had necrosis at the distal edge of the epidermis, which healed after undergoing dressing changes. All 45 patients were followed up 6-18 months (mean, 13.6 months). Three flaps required secondary defatting procedures, while the rest had the appropriate thickness, and the overall appearance was satisfactory. CONCLUSION Preoperative application of HFCDU to detect the perforator in the deep adipose layers can improve the success and safety of the procedure by facilitating the harvest of super-thin ALTF.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Thigh/surgery* ; Plastic Surgery Procedures ; Prospective Studies ; Skin Transplantation ; Free Tissue Flaps ; Burns ; Soft Tissue Injuries/surgery* ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color ; Crush Injuries/surgery* ; Perforator Flap ; Treatment Outcome

Reverse shoulder arthroplasty is an effective method for treating end-stage degenerative shoulder diseases and severe shoulder trauma. Early researchers found that complications such as acromial fracture, inferior glenohumeral impingement, and external rotation limitation may occur during the use of reverse shoulder prosthesis. Additionally, during shoulder joint movements, the shear forces between the bone-implant (glenoid-baseplate) interface increase, leading to a higher risk of prosthesis loosening and dislocation. In order to reduce the incidence of complications after reverse shoulder arthroplasty, the modified reverse shoulder prosthesis was developed, and a variety of prostheses were derived from it. The main direction of improvement was to shift the rotation center of the prosthesis system. The center of rotation for external displacement can be set on the glenoid side of the scapula, the humeral side, or both sides simultaneously modified. Modified prostheses can be classified according to the site of external translation and the size of the humeral offset. The stability and movement ability of the reverse shoulder prosthesis depend on the deltoid muscle. Even if the rotator cuff is injured, it does not affect the shoulder joint movement, so the patient's postoperative satisfaction is high. Through the non-anatomical design of a fixed rotation center, a semi-restrictive stable structure is formed, and the implant geometry can form a more stable joint between the humeral head and the glenoid, reducing the incidence of glenoid prosthesis loosening and implant failure. Reverse shoulder arthroplasty is not suitable for all patients. For patients without significant rotator cuff dysfunction, forward shoulder arthroplasty is still the preferred surgical procedure to restore the natural anatomy and shoulder kinematics. Surgeons should conduct a comprehensive analysis of the patient's functional status, needs, and individual anatomy to determine the optimal surgical approach.

Objective:To investigate the effect of sodium tanshinone ⅡA sulfonate (STS) on pyroptosis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) induced by H 2O 2 and its possible mechanism. Methods:From November 2021 to September 2022, HUVECs were used as the research subjects at Wuxi Ninth People’s Hospital. The experiment was divided into four groups: the blank control group (normal condition), blank + STS group, H 2O 2 group and H 2O 2 + STS group. When the cells reached 80% fusion, 500.00 μmol/L of H 2O 2 was added to H 2O 2 group and H 2O 2 + STS group for 3 hours, and then the medium containing 500.00 μmol/L H 2O 2 was removed. After that, the blank+ STS group and the H 2O 2+ STS group were each supplemented with 5.00 μg/ml of STS and co-cultured with HUVECs for 24 hours. CCK-8 was used to assess the impact of STS at various concentrations (0.00, 0.05, 0.50, 5.00, 50.00, 500.00 μg/ml) on the proliferation of HUVECs. DNA damage-positive cells were detected with TUNEL staining. The expression of NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) was detected using real-time PCR (RT-PCR) to investigate the optimal concentration of pyroptosis induced by H 2O 2. A detection kit was used to measure the expression of reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by H 2O 2. The effect of STS on the migration and tube formation of HUVECs during pyroptosis was examined using a cell scratch test and a matrix gel tube formation test. The expressions of NLRP3, caspase-1, interleukin-18, and interleukin-1β were detected using RT-PCR and Western blotting. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare the concentrations at different time points, t-tests were used to compare data between two groups, and one-way ANOVA was used to compare data between multiple groups. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:STS below 50.00 μg/ml had no effect on the proliferation of HUVECs, while 500.00 μmol/L H 2O 2 had the most significant effect on inducing pyroptosis in HUVECs. TUNEL staining showed that compared with the control group, the number of TUNEL-positive cells in H 2O 2 group was significantly increased, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.01). However, there was no significant difference in the number of TUNEL-positive cells in the H 2O 2+ STS group ( P>0.05). The results of ROS detection showed that compared with the H 2O 2 group, intracellular ROS levels in the H 2O 2+ STS group was significantly decreased, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.01). Cell scratch and tube formation in vitro experiments showed that compared with the control group, cell mobility and tube formation ability were significantly decreased in the H 2O 2 group (all P<0.01), and there was no statistical significance in the H 2O 2+ STS group (all P>0.05). RT-PCR and Western blotting results showed that, compared with the H 2O 2 group, the expression of pyroptosis-related factors in the H 2O 2+ STS group was significantly decreased (all P<0.05). Conclusion:STS can inhibit the excessive production of ROS, promote the cell migration and tubular formation of HUVECs after pyroptosis induction, and alleviate H 2O 2-induced pyroptosis of HUVECs, thereby promoting angiogenesis.

Objective:To explore the application of 3D visualisation technology combined with perforator flap transfer in reconstruction of soft tissue defects in traumatic hand and foot injury and explore the clinical outcomes.Methods:Between January 2021 and February 2023, a retrospective analysis was conducted in the Department of Emergency of the Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University and the Department of Sports Medical of Wuxi No. 9 People's Hospital, on the data of 12 patients (13 flaps) who received surgery of 3D visualisation technology combined with perforator flap transfer for soft tissue defects left by traumatic hand and foot injuries. The patients were 7 males and 5 females aged 45 [36.5, 55.8] years old. Nine patients had the defects in hand and 3 in foot, with 3 in the left and 9 in the right. The sizes of defects ranged from 8.0 cm×6.0 cm to 18.0 cm×17.0 cm. The time from injury to surgery was 13.5 [8.3, 20.8] days. Preoperative CTA scans of donor and recipient sites were performed, and the imaging data were processed for 3D image reconstruction and visualisation. A total of 13 flaps were designed and harvested, including 10 free anterolateral thigh perforator flaps (ALTPFs) and 3 pedicled perforator flaps of fibular artery containing fibular nerve nutrient vessel chains. The flap sizes ranged from 9.0 cm×6.0 cm to 20.0 cm×15.0 cm. Five of the donor sites were directly closed by suture and 8 by skin grafting. Monthly outpatient follow-ups were conducted for the first 3 months after surgery, and then the follow-up reviews were conducted through visits of outpatient clinic or reviewed via WeChat interviews. Information about the outcomes of the transferred flaps, complications and function recovery were recorded on all patients.Results:All 13 flaps were successfully harvested and transferred with the assistance of 3D visualisation technology. Preoperative location of perforator vessels was accurate and flap design was reasonable. The 3D visualisation provided an effective guidance for surgical manipulation. Twelve flaps survived completely after surgery. One flap that had partial necrosis healed after skin grafting. All patients were included in more than 6 months of postoperative follow-up, with a mean follow-up duration of 8.1 months±1.7 months. All flaps had good colour and texture. Four flaps that had swollen appearance received secondary thinning surgery with satisfactory outcomes. The recovery of 9 patients with hand injury was evaluated according to the Blood Circulation Elauation of Severed Finger Replantation Evaluation Standard of Upper Limb Functional of Hand Surgery of Chinese Medical Association. At the final follow-up, the blood supply of flaps was excellent in 11 flaps and good in 2 flaps. Hand function was excellent in 2 hands, good in 4 hands and poor in 3 hands. Scores of American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Societ(AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot was used for foot function evaluation and all 3 patients were in excellent. Of the postoperative complications, due to a haematoma beneath the flap, a local infection and a delayed fracture healing were occurred in 3 patients separately.Conclusion:The 3D visualisation technology assisted perforator flap transfer can achieve high-quality reconstruction of defects in hand and foot through precise preoperative flap design and simulated surgical incision, therefore it provides a better treatment outcomes for patients.

Objective:To investigate the effect of sodium tanshinone ⅡA sulfonate (STS) on pyroptosis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) induced by H 2O 2 and its possible mechanism. Methods:From November 2021 to September 2022, HUVECs were used as the research subjects at Wuxi Ninth People’s Hospital. The experiment was divided into four groups: the blank control group (normal condition), blank + STS group, H 2O 2 group and H 2O 2 + STS group. When the cells reached 80% fusion, 500.00 μmol/L of H 2O 2 was added to H 2O 2 group and H 2O 2 + STS group for 3 hours, and then the medium containing 500.00 μmol/L H 2O 2 was removed. After that, the blank+ STS group and the H 2O 2+ STS group were each supplemented with 5.00 μg/ml of STS and co-cultured with HUVECs for 24 hours. CCK-8 was used to assess the impact of STS at various concentrations (0.00, 0.05, 0.50, 5.00, 50.00, 500.00 μg/ml) on the proliferation of HUVECs. DNA damage-positive cells were detected with TUNEL staining. The expression of NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) was detected using real-time PCR (RT-PCR) to investigate the optimal concentration of pyroptosis induced by H 2O 2. A detection kit was used to measure the expression of reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by H 2O 2. The effect of STS on the migration and tube formation of HUVECs during pyroptosis was examined using a cell scratch test and a matrix gel tube formation test. The expressions of NLRP3, caspase-1, interleukin-18, and interleukin-1β were detected using RT-PCR and Western blotting. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare the concentrations at different time points, t-tests were used to compare data between two groups, and one-way ANOVA was used to compare data between multiple groups. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:STS below 50.00 μg/ml had no effect on the proliferation of HUVECs, while 500.00 μmol/L H 2O 2 had the most significant effect on inducing pyroptosis in HUVECs. TUNEL staining showed that compared with the control group, the number of TUNEL-positive cells in H 2O 2 group was significantly increased, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.01). However, there was no significant difference in the number of TUNEL-positive cells in the H 2O 2+ STS group ( P>0.05). The results of ROS detection showed that compared with the H 2O 2 group, intracellular ROS levels in the H 2O 2+ STS group was significantly decreased, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.01). Cell scratch and tube formation in vitro experiments showed that compared with the control group, cell mobility and tube formation ability were significantly decreased in the H 2O 2 group (all P<0.01), and there was no statistical significance in the H 2O 2+ STS group (all P>0.05). RT-PCR and Western blotting results showed that, compared with the H 2O 2 group, the expression of pyroptosis-related factors in the H 2O 2+ STS group was significantly decreased (all P<0.05). Conclusion:STS can inhibit the excessive production of ROS, promote the cell migration and tubular formation of HUVECs after pyroptosis induction, and alleviate H 2O 2-induced pyroptosis of HUVECs, thereby promoting angiogenesis.

Objective To study the surgical method of repairing the defects of the hand with the free antero-lateral thigh perforator flap without carrying the source of blood vessels and the fascia. Methods From February, 2013 to October, 2016, 8 cases of hand defects with tendon and bone exposure.Looking for the thickest perforator in the anterolateral thigh region by using the Multidetector computed tomography angiography(MDCTA)and color Doppler Sonography(CDS). Find the perforator in the superficial fascia,cut a small part of the fascia lata and vastus lateralis,cut off the pedicle at the musculocutaneous perforator.Cover the defects with flap after debridement. Regular follow-up include:the healing of the wound,the texture,shape and sensation of the skin flap, the scar and complica-tions of the donor area. Results All flaps survived in 8 cases, in one case,there are 1.0 cm necrosis in the distal flap, after debridement, direct suture. All patients were followed up for 6-12 months. The flaps were soft and normal color, restore the protective touch. The donor site healed well, linear scar, no itching and dysfunction. Conclusion Free anterolateral thigh perforator flap without source blood vessels and fascia lata is a good method for the repair of hand defects.

Objective: To investigate the application and clinical efficacy of dorsal finger flap on repairing donor site of the digital artery perforator flap. Methods: From July 2015 to February 2017, the reversed digital artery perforator flaps were used to repair soft tissue defects at distal part of the fingers. Donor site defects were reconstructed with the dorsal finger flaps in 21 fingers of 18 cases.Male 11 cases, female 7 cases. The defect areas of donor sites were about 1.4 cm×2.0 cm-1.8 cm×2.5 cm. Results: Primary wound healing were achieved in 21 finger of 18 cases. All the flaps survived.19 fingers of 16 cases were follow-up for 6 to 18 months(average 9.2 months), while 2 cases were lost to follow-up.The results of hand function were excellent 14 fingers, good 4 fingers, bad 1 finger. The sensory evaluation of the digital artery perforator flap were 3 fingers S3, 14 fingers S4 and 2 fingers S5, and the distance between two points of flap was 5-9 mm. Conclusions Using proximal dorsal transverse flaps to reconstruct the defects of digital artery perforator flap can avoid skin graft.It is an effective method for the treatment of the skin and soft tissue defects of the dorsal fingers.

Objective To study the clinical application of the 2 flaps based on the proximal and distal perfo-rator from ulnar artery in the repair of defect of 2 fingers and evaluate the outcome of the procedures. Methods From January,2014 to January,2015, 8 cases with skin and soft tissue defects of 2 fingers were treated simultaneous-ly with the distal and proximal perforator flap of ulnar artery in ipsilateral limb. The area of the distal flaps ranged from 2.5 cm×4.5 cm to 4.0 cm×6.5 cm. The area of the proximal flaps ranged from 3.5 cm×4.5 cm to 4.5 cm×6.5 cm. The followed-up were performed at 3rd, 6th and 12th months post-operation. The patients' satisfaction of the appear-ance and function of repaired finger and working situation were investigated. The postoperatively pain prick , touch and temperature sensation of the flaps were examined. Total active range of motion (TAM) of the finger points were measured. Results All flaps survived. Two flaps got plastic surgery at 5 months post-operation. The pain , tempera-ture and light touch sensation were restored 12 months after the surgery. Five patients returned to work again 12 months after the operation. Conclusion The distal and proximal perforator flap has their own characteristics, can be used simultaneously to repair skin and soft tissue defects of the two fingers.

Objective To evaluate the clinical results of the thumb dorsoradial flap and the greater thenar flap for coverage of thumb soft tissue defect,and to provide guidance on clinical selection of flaps.Methods From January,2013 to June,2014,23 thumb dorsoradial flaps and 20 greater thenar flaps were used to repair the soft tissues defects in thumbs and were followed up to compare the results.Patient satisfaction,cold intolerance scores,TAM of the reconstructed thumb,sensation (pain and temperature sensation,Semmes-Weinstein monofilament test,static two-point discrimination) and blood perfusion of the flaps were recorded and analyzed statistically.Results Thumb dorsoradial flaps group:patient satisfaction was (36.97 ± 7.70)％,cold intolerance score was 58.96 ± 12.47,TAM of the thumb was (87.57 ± 12.83)°,median Semmes-Weinstein monofilament test was 3.61mm,static two-point discrimination was (14.22 ± 2.84)mm,and blood perfusion was (98.41 ± 15.66) PU.Greater thenar flaps group:patient satisfaction was (50.00 ± 10.80)％,cold intolerance score was 60.45 ± 14.10,TAM of the thumb was (95.00 ± 14.58)°,median Semmes-Weinstein monofilament test was 4.31mm,static twopoint discrimination was (20.70 ± 2.56)mm,and blood perfusion was (104.74 ± 14.12)PU.The greater thenar flap had a larger degree of satisfaction than the dorsoradial flap (P ＜ 0.05).Both pain and temperature sensation of the flap were regained in all cases,but the dorsoradial flap presented better Semmes-Weinstein monofilament score and static two-point discrimination(P ＜ 0.05).No differences were found regarding TAM of the thumb,cold intolerance score and blood perfusion of the flap (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion The dorsoradial flap is suitable for repairing the thumb pulp defect due to its good sensation.For the small defect of non-functional dorsal area,the greater thenar flap will be a satisfactory method.

Objective To investigate the method and result of repairing multi-fingers soft tissue defects using the dorsal metacarpal flaps with cutaneous branches as pedicle.Methods From February,2010 to January,2013,9 patients with multi-fingers tissue defects were treated with the 2nd,3rd,4th dorsal metacarpal flaps with cutaneous branches as pedicles.The area of flaps ranged from 1.2 cm × 2.5 cm to 2.5 cm × 5.0 cm.The donor sites were sutured with full thick skin graft.Results All flaps survived.After a followed-up of 8 months to 24 months(average 12 months),the texture and shape of the flaps were good and non-bloated.The flap sensibility as sessment were S3-S3+.The two-point discrimination testing were 10 to 13 mm (average 11.6 mm).The TAM score of range of motion was 60％ to 75％ of the healthy side.The skin graft of donor site were soft.Conclusion Procedure of dorsal metacarpal flaps with cutaneous branches as pedicles easy is a good method to repaire the soft tissue defects of muhi-fingers.