Objective:To explore the efficiency of radial collateral artery perforator flap to reconstruct defects of thumb web contracture release.Methods:The data of patients with moderate to severe thumb web contracture treated with radial collateral artery perforator flap from September 2018 to September 2022 in Department of Orthopedics-Hand Microsurgery of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University were analyzed retrospectively. A skin flap with the radial collateral artery perforating point as the center and the line connecting the deltoid muscle insertion point and the apex of the humeral lateral condyle as the axis were designed before surgery. During the operation, the skin scar in the thumb web area was first removed, and the contracted tissues such as deep fascia and muscles were loosened. Then, a skin flap was harvested along the design line and transferred to the recipient site. After vascular and nerve anastomosis under a microscope, the incision was intermittently sutured and a drainage tube was placed. The blood flow of the flap and complication were monitored closely. In the last follow-up, the distance and angle of thumb web were observed; the appearance, sensory recovery (excellent, good, moderate, and poor) and the hand function (S0 level to S4 level represented feeling no recovery to complete recovery) were evaluated.Results:A total of 8 patients were included, including 7 males and 1 female, aged 23-56 years (average of 40.3 years old). The distance of thumb web was 20-38 mm (average 26.9 mm), and the angle was 22°-36° (average 27.4°) before surgery. Five hands were classified as severe thumb web contracture, and 3 hands were moderate. The sizes of perforator flap were from 5.5 cm×3.5 cm-13.0 cm×6.5 cm. Seven flaps survived uneventfully and venous congestion occurred in 1 flap. After exploration, the flap survived completely. Primary healing of wounds occurred in the donor and recipient areas. Postoperative follow-up ranged from 6 months to 2.5 years (average 13.6 months). In the last follow-up, the distance of thumb web was 48-63 mm (average 57.1 mm), and the angle was 40°-52° (average 44.8°) post-operation. Thumb web function evaluation: excellent in 5 cases and good in 3 cases. All patients were satisfied with the thumb web. Sensory recovered to S3 in 3 cases, S2 in 4 cases and S1 in 1 case. The donor site healed well, leaving scars. There was no radial nerve damage, and elbow joint movement was normal.Conclusion:The radial collateral artery perforator flap has reliable blood supply, relatively simple operation and the appearance and function of thumb web restored well postoperatively. The application of radial collateral artery perforator flap is an effective procedure to repair the thumb web contracture.

Objective:To explore the feasibility for reconstruction of soft tissue defects in limbs and trunk with perforator pedicled kite flap, and to summarise its clinical efficacy.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted on 14 patients with soft tissue defects and admitted to the Department of Hand Microsurgery of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University from January 2016 to September 2023. Among the 14 patients (6 males and 8 females), 7 had defects in calf, 2 in sacrococcygeal area, 2 in the back and 3 in forearm. All of the defects were reconstructed with the perforator pedicled kite flaps, of which 6 flaps had the pedicles of single perforator, 3 of 2 perforators, 4 of 3 perforators and 1 of 5 perforators. Single V-Y advancement flaps were used for defect reconstruction in 8 patients, and double V-Y advancement flaps were used in 6 patients. The size of the defects ranged from 2.2 cm×1.8 cm to 8.0 cm×16.0 cm, and the size of the flaps ranged from 3.0 cm×5.5 cm to 9.0 cm×23.0 cm. All donor sites were closed directly. Postoperative follow-up was conducted at outpatient clinic, by telephone reviews and WeChat after surgery, to observe the flap survival and postoperative complications.Results:All flaps survived completely. All the flaps and donor sites healed primarily. The postoperative follow-up lasted for 3 to 36 (mean, 14.5) months. Thirteen flaps presented with soft texture, good appearance, with similar texture to the surrounding skin and without obvious swelling. The patients were satisfied with the aesthetic outcomes. One patient had a local ulcer with exudation at the recipient site and the ulcer healed after removal of the steel plate and thoroughly debridement.Conclusion:With a perforator pedicled kite flap, vascular anastomosis or sacrifice of a second donor site can be avoided. A perforator pedicled kite flap can be applied to many recipient sites, with a simple surgical procedure and a good postoperative appearance. It is an ideal flap for reconstruction of small to medium-sized soft tissue defects in trunk and limbs. More studies are required to evaluate the feasibility of the flap to be applied in local hospitals.

Replantation of traumatic amputation in children has its own characteristics. This consensus primarily focuses on the issues related to the treatment of traumatically amputated limb injuries in children. Organised along a timeline, the consensus summarises domestic and international clinical experiences in emergency care and injury assessment of traumatic limb amputation limbs, indications and contraindications for replantation surgery, principles and procedures of replantation surgery, postoperative medication and management, as well as rehabilitation in children. The aim of this consensus is to propose standardise the treatment protocols for limb replantation for children therefore to serve as a reference for clinical practitioners in medical practices, and further improve the treatment and care for the traumatic limb amputations in children.

Objective:To explore the efficiency of radial collateral artery perforator flap to reconstruct defects of thumb web contracture release.Methods:The data of patients with moderate to severe thumb web contracture treated with radial collateral artery perforator flap from September 2018 to September 2022 in Department of Orthopedics-Hand Microsurgery of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University were analyzed retrospectively. A skin flap with the radial collateral artery perforating point as the center and the line connecting the deltoid muscle insertion point and the apex of the humeral lateral condyle as the axis were designed before surgery. During the operation, the skin scar in the thumb web area was first removed, and the contracted tissues such as deep fascia and muscles were loosened. Then, a skin flap was harvested along the design line and transferred to the recipient site. After vascular and nerve anastomosis under a microscope, the incision was intermittently sutured and a drainage tube was placed. The blood flow of the flap and complication were monitored closely. In the last follow-up, the distance and angle of thumb web were observed; the appearance, sensory recovery (excellent, good, moderate, and poor) and the hand function (S0 level to S4 level represented feeling no recovery to complete recovery) were evaluated.Results:A total of 8 patients were included, including 7 males and 1 female, aged 23-56 years (average of 40.3 years old). The distance of thumb web was 20-38 mm (average 26.9 mm), and the angle was 22°-36° (average 27.4°) before surgery. Five hands were classified as severe thumb web contracture, and 3 hands were moderate. The sizes of perforator flap were from 5.5 cm×3.5 cm-13.0 cm×6.5 cm. Seven flaps survived uneventfully and venous congestion occurred in 1 flap. After exploration, the flap survived completely. Primary healing of wounds occurred in the donor and recipient areas. Postoperative follow-up ranged from 6 months to 2.5 years (average 13.6 months). In the last follow-up, the distance of thumb web was 48-63 mm (average 57.1 mm), and the angle was 40°-52° (average 44.8°) post-operation. Thumb web function evaluation: excellent in 5 cases and good in 3 cases. All patients were satisfied with the thumb web. Sensory recovered to S3 in 3 cases, S2 in 4 cases and S1 in 1 case. The donor site healed well, leaving scars. There was no radial nerve damage, and elbow joint movement was normal.Conclusion:The radial collateral artery perforator flap has reliable blood supply, relatively simple operation and the appearance and function of thumb web restored well postoperatively. The application of radial collateral artery perforator flap is an effective procedure to repair the thumb web contracture.

Objective:To introduce a new surgical procedure for harvesting an iliac bone flap with deep iliac circumflex vessels—"retrograde anatomical method", and report the effect of preliminary application with this procedure.Methods:From June 2018 to May 2021, 15 patients who admitted in the Department of Hand and Microsurgery, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University received surgeries of iliac bone flap with deep iliac circumflex artery by "retrograde anatomical method". During the surgery, appropriate cutaneous perforators or muscular branches were found near the medial side of the iliac bone of iliac tubercle. The branches were dissected from surface inwards to the starting point of deep circumflex iliac blood vessel with microsurgery and micro Schlieren forceps. The iliac bone flap was chiselled out, inserted into femoral head, and then anastomosed with the transverse branches of deep circumflex iliac blood vessel and lateral circumflex femoral blood vessel. All patients were included in the postoperative follow-up at the outpatient clinic to evaluate the preliminary effect of this procedure. Harris scores before and after surgery were assessed with paired t test. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:The length of iliac bone flap was at 3.0-5.0(4.0±0.5) cm, and the length of vascular pedicle was at 4.0-7.0(5.3±1.0) cm. The time of iliac bone flap harvest was 35-55(45.0±6.1) minutes. During the operation, the success rate of harvesting iliac bone flap with deep iliac circumflex artery was 100%, and blood had oozed out of bone surface before the pedicle of all iliac bone flaps was cut-off. The volume of intraoperative autologous blood transfusion was 100-400(226.7±78.2) ml. One patient suffered from traction injury of lateral femoral cutaneous nerve in the operation. The numbness of anterolateral thigh area occurred on the 1st day after the surgery, and relieved 4 months later. Other 14 patients did not suffer from postoperative numbness in the area of anterolateral thigh. The amount of drainage from donor site for the iliac bone flap was 50-70 ml[(62.7±7.5) ml in average] after surgery. Incisions at the donor sites of iliac bone flap healed in stage I. Postoperative follow-up lasted between 3 months and 3 years. There was no incision hernia and other complication in the donor sites of the iliac bone flap. There was a significant difference in Harris scores between at 9, 12 and 18 months after surgery and that before the surgery, respectively( P<0.05). After 18 months, Harris score were at a better level. Conclusion:The "retrograde anatomical method" can quickly determine the nutrient vessels of an iliac bone flap with deep circumflex iliac vessels. The surgical procedure is relatively simple with safe and reliable anatomy. Donor site damage and postoperative complications are greatly minimised. This surgical technique can be considered to be applied clinically.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical effects of adjustable traction skin stretchers used in repair of wounds at the lower leg, foot and ankle.Methods:A retrospective study was performed to analyze the clinical data of 56 patients who had been treated for skin defects at the lower leg, foot and ankle from August 2016 to September 2022 at The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Honghui Hospital, Affiliated to Xi'an Jiaotong University Medical College, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan Polytechnic University, and Yunnan Zhongde Orthopedic Hospital. There were 35 males and 21 females, aged (39.9±18.7) years. There were 43 traumatic wounds, 3 burns, 6 inflammatory wounds, 3 relief incisions due to osteofascial compartment syndrome, and 1 scar. The areas of skin defect ranged from 2.5 cm × 2.0 cm to 20.0 cm × 10.0 cm. The duration of wounds was (8.6±7.8) d. All the wounds were repaired with adjustable traction skin stretchers. The row-hook type of skin stretchers was used in 28 cases, the single-rod type in 20 cases, the single-rod type combined with an external fixator in 5 cases, and a combination of the row-hook type and the single-rod type in 3 cases.The time for wound traction closure, color of wound skin margin, skin swelling around the wound, functional recovery of affected limb and complications were recorded.Results:The time from skin stretching to wound closure was (7.8±3.8) d in the 56 patients. The color of wound skin edge after stretching was normal in 16 cases, dark red in 38 cases, and dark in 2 cases; the skin swelling around the wound was degree 1 in 21 cases, degree 2 in 33 cases, and degree 3 in 2 cases. The 56 patients were followed up for (8.9±4.1) months. Primary wound closure was achieved in 48 patients, and secondary wound closure in 8 patients after repair with an autologous skin graft. Partial skin necrosis occurred due to tension blisters after skin stretching in 2 patients, one of whom was repaired with an autologous skin graft and the other of whom by dressing change. Deep bone infection recurred in 2 patients whose wounds healed after their bone defects were repaired using Ilizarov technique of bone transfer. In the 56 patients, the muscle strength of the lower extremity beyond the wound was recovered to normal, and the range of motion of the joints adjacent to the wound also recovered to normal.Conclusion:In repair of wounds at the lower leg, foot and ankle, adjustable traction skin stretchers can lead to fine clinical effects and limited complications, because the stretchers can control the tension of skin digitally and precisely.

Objective:To explore the feasibility and clinical effect of modified tibial transverse transport (TTT) technique in treatment of severe diabetic foot.Methods:The research was carried out from November 2015 to November 2017 at the Department of Hand Microsurgery, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University. Red latex was used to perfuse 10 adult lower limb specimens through femoral artery. The study observed the occurrence rate of osteofascial cutaneous branches from the inner and posterior edge of tibia within 6.0 to 10.0 cm distal from the tibial tubercle, as well as the number, distribution, outer diameter and other indicators of the perforating cutaneous branches and periosteal branches. Combined with findings in the anatomical observation, a chimeric flap with a vessel of posterior medial tibial osteofascial cutaneous branch was designed to improve TTT in the treatment of diabetic foot. From February 2016 to November 2018, 12 patients with Wagner’s Grades Ⅲ and Ⅳ diabetic feet were treated. All the patients were treated with a modified TTT, with a piece of designed tibial bone flap at 10.0 cm × 2.5 cm in size. After surgery, 5 patients with gangrenous toes received various toe stump reconstruction surgery for removal of the external fixator for bone transport. Two patients had arch stone flap reconstructions for the wounds of heel and sole, 3 patients had the wounds self-healed, and 2 patients with Wagner’s Grade IV diabetic feet had proximal calf amputations. Postoperative follow-ups were run through visits of outpatient clinic, and meanwhile the preliminary effects of the surgical procedure were observed and summarised.Results:Among the 10 specimens, it was found that a total of 11 osteofascial cutaneous branches(2 branches in 1 case and 1 branch in 9 cases) branched out from the posterior edge of tibia within 6-10 cm distal to the tibial tubercle. The distance to the tibial tubercle was 9.23 cm± 0.62 cm, with an outer diameter at 1.10 mm ± 0.10 mm. After penetrating the deep fascia, the osteofascial cutaneous branch further branched out a skin branch with an outer diameter of 0.59 mm± 0.09 mm, and delivered blood supply to the medial skin of calf. Meanwhile, it also branched out a periosteal branch with an outer diameter of 0.85 mm ± 0.10 mm, and supplied blood to the medial periosteum of tibia. All surgery went smoothly. A significant increase of temperature in foot skin and a significant decrease in postoperative Visual Analogue Scale(VAS) score were found in comparison with what before the surgery( P<0.05). The follow-up time of 12 patients was 24-36(29.33 months ± 4.36 months). After surgery, the symptoms of pain and numbness in the affected limbs were significantly improved or even disappeared and the wounds in foot were completely healed in 10 patients. The wounds of TTT in the calf were all healed in stage-I. The segments of tibial bone transport were all completely healed with healing time of 6.17 months ± 0.83 months. The wounds of the 2 amputees healed well. Conclusion:Modified TTT bone graft can effectively promote wound healing and reduce complications by covering the wound with a posterior tibial medial fascia flap in the treatment of severe diabetic foot. Further studies are required to confirm the benefits to the patients from this modified surgical procedure.

Objective:To investigate the feasibility and clinical effect of the computer assisted design of the lobulated perforator flap based on the descending branch of lateral circumflex femoral artery(d-LCFA) to reconstruct the soft tissue defects of heel.Methods:From October 2014 to November 2016, a computer assisted virtual technology was used to simulate the process of pre-operative design, isolation, and harvest of d-LCFA perforating flaps. This method was used to guide the design and harvest of the flap of d-LCFA in the repair of large-area soft tissue defects of the heel in all of the 5 patients. One patient received a combine flap of the d-LCFA flap and the perforating branch of the inferior abdominal artery flap(DIEPF). Heel appearance and function were reconstructed in phase I together with the repair of the defect. Donor site was directly sutured. The recovery effect was followed-up in the clinic.Results:The 3D visualised model of the vessels in the donor area for quadriceps artery was successfully established in all 5 patients, and the design and removal of the perforating flap were successfully guided. All the 10 flaps survived successfully in 5 patients, except 1 patient had a backflow disorder at the distal end of the inferior epigastric artery perforator flap, with partial necrosis and II grafting. After 6 to 12 months of follow-up(mean, 8.7 months), the flap showed good in colour and texture, with satisfactory heel appearance. The donor site was left with a linear scar.Conclusion:Computer assisted design technology can effectively help in the design of the polyfoliate perforator flap pedicled with d-LCFA, using this technique to assist the design and repair of large area soft tissue defect of heel could reconstruct the shape of heel in phase I and restore the function of the heel to the maximum extent.

The progress in the treatment of gynecological malignant tumours has prolonged the survival time of postoperative patients, but lower limb lymphedema as a complication has seriously affected the health and quality of life of postoperative patients. In recent years, secondary lymphedema of lower extremities after radical resection of gynecological malignant tumours has attracted more and more attention. This paper reviews the progress of surgical treatment, introduces the application, indications, existing issues and matters that requir attentions and various surgical methods, and to puts forward a possible development direction in the future.

The main principles for plastic and reconstructive surgery is to choose the flap donor site with the least damage to the body, so that the recipient site can obtain the best appearance and maximum functional recovery. Perforator flaps are widely used in the field of repair and reconstruction because they conform to this concept. The polyfoliate perforator flap is a special form of the perforator flap. Through the ingenious design, the width can be changed to the length, so that the donor site of the flap can be directly closed; and only one donor site needs to be damaged and a group of blood vessels are anastomosed. It reduces the damage to the body and shorten the operation time. This kind of flap has become a hot spot in clinical repair of large and irregular wounds. The segmented perforator flap further enriches the connotation of the perforator flap and expand the indications of the perforator flap. This article systematically reviews the historical development and evolution of the polyfoliate perforator flap, summarises the clinical application progress of the polyfoliate perforator flap in recent years, and aims to further promote the application and development of the polyfoliate perforator flap in the repair of complex wounds.