The biological nitrogen removal technology utilizing heterotrophic nitrification-aerobic denitrification (HN-AD) bacteria has shown effectiveness in wastewater treatment. However, the nitrogen removal efficiency of HN-AD bacteria significantly decreases as the salinity increases. To tackle the challenge of treating high-salt and high-nitrogen wastewater, we isolated a moderately halophilic HN-AD strain 5505 from a salt lake in Xinjiang. The strain was identified based on morphological, physiological, and biochemical characteristics and the 16S rRNA gene sequence. Single-factor experiments were carried out with NH₄⁺-N, NO₃^--N, and NO₂^--N as sole or mixed nitrogen sources to study the nitrifying effect, denitrifying effect, and nitrogen metabolism pathway of the strain. The strain was identified as Halomonas sp.. It can grow in the presence of 1%-25% (W/V) NaCl and exhibited efficient nitrogen removal ability in the presence of 3%-8% NaCl. At the optimal NaCl concentration (8%), the strain showed the NH₄⁺-N, NO₃^--N and NO₂^--N removal rates of 100.0%, 94.11% and 74.43%, respectively. Strain 5505 removed inorganic nitrogen mainly by assimilation, which accounted for over 62.68% of total nitrogen removal. In the presence of mixed nitrogen sources, strain 5505 showed a preference for utilizing ammonia, with a potential HN-AD pathway of NH₄⁺→NH₂OH→NO₂^-→NO₃^-→NO₂^-→NO/N₂O/N₂. The findings provide efficient salt-tolerant bacterial resources, enhance our understanding of biological nitrogen removal, and contribute to the nitrogen removal efficiency improvement in the treatment of high-salt and high-nitrogen wastewater.
Halomonas/classification* ; Nitrogen/isolation & purification* ; Denitrification ; Nitrification ; Wastewater/microbiology* ; Aerobiosis ; Biodegradation, Environmental ; Salinity

ObjectiveTo investigate the features of liver histopathological damage in patients with indeterminate phase of chronic HBV infection， as well as the timing for initiating antiviral therapy in such patients. MethodsA retrospective screening was performed for the patients with chronic HBV infection who were hospitalized in The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital and underwent liver biopsy from March 2018 to April 2022， among whom the patients who met the criteria for indeterminate phase defined in Chinese guidelines for chronic hepatitis B prevention and treatment （2022 edition） were enrolled， and their clinical data were collected. Liver histopathological stage was determined using the Scheuer scoring system， with stages 0 — 4 for inflammation grade （G） and stages 0 — 4 for fibrosis degree （S）， and the patients were divided into groups based on the presence of significant necroinflammation （≥G2） and significant liver fibrosis （≥S2）. The independent samples t-test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups， and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups； the chi-square test or the Fisher’s exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups. A Spearman’s rank correlation analysis was used to investigate the correlation between liver histopathology and clinical factors， and the Logistic regression model was used to identify the independent influencing factors for significant necroinflammation and liver fibrosis. ResultsA total of 271 patients with indeterminate phase of chronic HBV infection were enrolled， among whom 61 （22.5%） had significant necroinflammation （≥G2） and 124 （45.8%） had significant liver fibrosis （≥S2）. The Logistic regression analysis showed that alanine aminotransferase ≥30 U/L （for male patients） or ≥19 U/L （for female patients） （odds ratio ［OR］=2.69， 95% confidence interval ［CI］： 1.39 — 5.21， P=0.003）， HBV DNA ≥2 000 IU/mL （OR=2.75， 95%CI： 1.38 — 5.48， P=0.004）， and liver stiffness measurement （LSM） ≥6.0 kPa （OR=4.57， 95%CI： 2.17 — 9.62， P<0.001） were independent risk factors for significant inflammation. HBV DNA ≥2 000 IU/mL （OR=1.82， 95%CI： 1.01 — 3.32， P=0.049） and LSM ≥6.0 kPa （OR=2.06， 95%CI： 1.23 — 3.43， P=0.006） were independent influencing factors for significant liver fibrosis. ConclusionAmong the patients with indeterminate phase of chronic HBV infection， a substantial proportion of patients have significant liver histopathological damage. Antiviral therapy should be initiated in a timely manner for patients with high-risk factors.

Objective To observe the effect of BOC-Phe-Leu-Phe-Leu-Phe(BOC2)on the expression of six types of mitochondrial N-formyl peptides(NFPs)in blood and two formyl peptide receptors(FPRs)in pancreatic tissue of rats with severe acute pancreatitis(SAP),and to explore its mechanism of alleviating inflammatory damage of SAP.Methods Forty male SD rats were randomly divided into four groups:the sham group,the SAP model group,the BOC2 low-dose and the BOC2 high-dose group(0.1 and 0.2 mg/kg),with 10 animals in each group.The SAP model was prepared by retrograde injection of 5%sodium taurocholate(50 mg/kg)into biliary and pancreatic ducts in the last 3 groups.BOC2 was intraperitoneally injected at 0.5 hours after SAP modeling,and samples were taken 4 hours after modeling.HE staining was used to observe pathological changes in pancreas.Western blot assay was used to detect the expression of NFPs in plasma.IHC staining was used to detect the expression of FPRs in pancreatic tissue.ELISA was used to detect interleukin(IL)-1β,IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α levels in plasma.qPCR was used to detect expression levels of inflammatory factors in local pancreatic tissue.Results Compared with the model group,the BOC2 high-dose group and the BOC2 low-dose group showed improvement in pathological phenomena,such as pancreatic bleeding,acinar cell necrosis,inflammatory cell infiltration and edema.The pancreatic injury score,pancreatic FPRs expression,plasma MT-ND1,MT-ND2,MT-ND3,MT-ND5,MT-ND6 expression,as well as expression levels of three inflammatory factors in plasma and local pancreatic tissue,were significantly reduced(P＜0.05).Conclusion BOC2 can reduce the production of inflammatory factors and alleviate SAP inflammatory damage by antagonizing mitochondrial NFPs/FPRs signaling pathway.

Objective:To explore the repair methods and effects of refractory wounds in patients after spinal internal fixation operation .Methods:The study was a retrospective observational study. From November 2020 to October 2023, 10 patients with refractory wounds after spinal internal fixation operation were admitted to the Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery of Changde Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine of Central South University. They were 3 males and 7 females, aged 35 to 68 years. There were 6 cases of thoracolumbar tuberculosis, 3 cases of thoracolumbar fracture, and 1 case of recurrent sacrococcygeal chordoma with skin, soft tissue, and bone defects after radical resection. The wound areas after debridement were 6.0 cm×1.5 cm to 27.0 cm×6.5 cm. The wound repair operation was decided to perform in the primary stage or in the secondary stage according to the wound situation. Two patients with type Ⅰ wounds were treated with debridement, direct suture, and continuous irrigation and drainage with catheter after operation. Eight patients with type Ⅱ wounds were repaired with local flaps (including rotation flap with dermis-fat flap at the end), muscle flaps, or muscle flaps combined with local flaps. The flap sizes were 10.0 cm×5.0 cm to 27.0 cm×14.0 cm, and the sizes of muscle flap were 8.0 cm×5.0 cm×4.0 cm to 17.0 cm×9.5 cm×2.0 cm. The wounds in flap donor areas were sutured directly. The wound treatment methods of patients with type Ⅱ wounds were recorded. The wound healing was observed after operation. The infection and recurrence of wounds, the retention of internal fixation materials, and spinal motor function were observed during follow-up.Results:Among patients with type Ⅱ wounds, there were 3 cases applied with local flaps (including 1 case with rotation flap with dermis-fat flap at the end), 3 cases with muscle flaps (including 1 case with latissimus dorsi muscle flap and 2 cases with erector spinal muscle flaps), and 2 cases with muscle flaps (1 case with latissimus dorsi muscle flap and 1 case with erector spinal muscle flap) combined with local flaps. Only 1 case with secondary defects after radical surgery of sacrococcygeal chordoma had poor wound healing which healed after dressing change, and the wounds of the remaining 9 cases all healed well. During the follow-up of 4 to 18 months, no infection or recurrence of local wounds developed in 10 patients, the internal fixation materials were not loosening, and there was no significant limitation in spinal motor function.Conclusions:For refractory wounds after spinal internal fixation operation, according to the wound type of patients, debridement, suture, irrigation, and drainage in the primary stage, or transplantation of local flaps, muscle flaps, muscle flaps combined with local flaps are performed in the primary stage or in the secondary stage. These methods are proved to have reliable therapeutic effects, not only repairing the wounds, but also retaining the internal fixation materials.

Background and Aims:The repair of giant incisional hernia is challenging,as closing the significant defect in the abdominal wall can lead to life-threatening complications like abdominal compartment syndrome(ACS).Botulinum toxin type A(BTA)can temporarily relax the abdominal wall muscles,facilitating defect repair,while preoperative progressive pneumoperitoneum(PPP)can increase intra-abdominal volume,reducing intra-abdominal pressure caused by hernia content reintegration.Combining BTA with PPP for the preoperative preparation of giant incisional hernia repair may have a complementary effect.This study was conducted to evaluate the clinical value of combining BTA and PPP in the repair of giant abdominal incisional hernia. Methods:The clinical data of 213 patients with giant abdominal incisional hernia treated at the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from December 2015 to December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed.Two weeks after receiving combined BTA and PPP treatment,changes in bilateral abdominal wall muscle,intra-abdominal adhesions,abdominal circumference,abdominal cavity volume,and hernia sac volume ratio were assessed using CT.Intraoperative details,incidence of complications,and postoperative follow-up outcomes were recorded. Results:Following combined BTA and PPP treatment,CT scan showed a significant extension of bilateral lateral abdominal wall muscles towards the midline in all 213 patients,with an average increase of 2.45(1.53-3.29)cm on the left side and 2.54(1.68-3.40)cm on the right side;muscle thickness was reduced by an average of 0.84(0.64-1.00)cm on the left and 0.82(0.62-1.05)cm on the right,the average distance between viscera and the abdominal wall increased to(7.52±1.78)cm,with a mean increase of 6.1(4.2-6.9)cm;the mean increase in abdominal cavity volume was 1 802(1 494.98-2 316.26)mL,and the hernia sac volume ratio decreased by an average of 9％(6％-12％),all changes were statistically significant(P＜0.05).Post-PPP CT scan revealed no abdominal adhesions in 18 patients(8.45％),while 195 patients(91.55％)had varying degrees of adhesions,including 39 cases(18.31％)of sheet adhesions and 156 cases(73.24％)of mixed adhesions.Adhesions mainly consisted of omentum and intestinal tissues in 59.15％of cases.There were 43 cases(20.19％)of grade Ⅰ complications during the BTA-PPP process,including abdominal pain(28 cases),shoulder pain(9 cases),subcutaneous emphysema(6 cases),and dyspnea(3 cases).Dyspnea improved with oxygen therapy,while other complications required no special intervention.All 213 patients successfully underwent laparoscopic incisional hernia repair without conversion to open surgery or organ resection for volume reduction.Fascial closure was achieved in 209 cases(98.12％),with 4 cases(1.88％)having incomplete defect closure.The average time for adhesiolysis was 28(11.00-44.50)min,with a total operative time of 178.0(132.50-255.00)min and an average blood loss of 20(10-30)mL.The median intra-abdominal pressure(IAP)after operation was between 10 mmHg(9.00-12.00 mmHg),Among them,47 cases(22.07％)had IAP exceeding 12 mmHg,and after implementing proactive measures such as diuresis and diachoresis to reduce intra-abdominal contents,the IAP in these patients decreased to below 12 mmHg.No severe complications such as skin flap necrosis or ACS were observed.There were no deaths within postoperative 30 d,and during a follow-up period of 26(16.50-33.00)months,13 cases(6.10％)had surgical site events,including infections in 5 cases(2.35％),seromas in 7 cases(3.29％),and hematoma in 1 case(0.47％),with no hernia recurrence. Conclusion:The combination of BTA and PPP not only aids in identifying abdominal wall adhesion areas,improving preoperative surgical planning and enhancing surgical safety,but also significantly increases abdominal cavity volume and extends lateral abdominal wall muscles,facilitating the closure of giant incisional hernia defects and reducing the incidence of severe postoperative complications like ACS.This approach is worthy of clinical promotion.

Objective:To explore the strategy of how to select an effective flap for reconstruction of the surgical defect in clavicular region after resection of malignant tumour and care for the aesthetic appearance of the flap donor site.Methods:A retrospective observational study was conducted. Twenty-three patients with soft tissue malignant tumour in clavicle region were treated, from March 2017 to April 2023, in the Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery of Changde Hospital, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University (the First People’s Hospital of Changde). The patients were 13 males and 10 females, aged 21 to 72 years old. Ten patients were of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, 6 of fibrosarcoma, 3 of squamous cell carcinoma of skin, 3 of undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma and 1 of mucinous adenocarcinoma. Nine patients had the first surgery and 14 were with tumour recurrence and had previousely received one or more surgery in other hospitals. The tumour size ranged from 2.0 cm×4.5 cm×1.0 cm to 10.0 cm×16.0 cm×3.0 cm. After radical resection, the sizes of surgical defect ranged from 9.0 cm×12.0 cm to 16.0 cm×22.0 cm. All the clavicular soft tissue malignancies had radical resection, and the secondary surgical defects were further modified to reduce the short and long dimensions of the defects. Flaps were selected according to the short dimension, depth and skin elasticity of the flap donor site. Of the 23 patients, 3 were treated with free inguinal flaps, 9 with ipsilateral pedicled latissimus dorsi flaps or thoracodorsal artery perforator flaps, 5 with free deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap (DIEPF), 5 with free anterolateral thigh flap (ALTF) and 1 with free rectus abdominis flap. The modified defects sized 5.0 cm × 11.0 cm-12.0 cm×19.0 cm after the suture of margin and base of the defects (defects were reduced and modified). The flap sizes were 7.0 cm×13.0 cm-14.0 cm×23.0 cm. After surgery, the wound healing was observed through the visits of outpatient clinic, and telephone and WeChat interviews. According to the nature of the tumours, the patients were regularly reviewed at outpatient clinic to determine the local recurrence and metastasis of the tumour.Results:One pedicled latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap was found with a greater tension after surgery. After partial removal of sutures and dressing changes, the secondary suture was performed 1 week later and the wound healed smoothly. A postoperative venous crisis was discovered in a free ALTF. It was monitored and re-anastomosed within 24 hours after surgery, and the flap survived and the wound healed smoothly. Otherwise, the rest of flaps achieved good blood supply and the wounds at the recipient and donor sites healed in one stage. In the postoperative follow-up, all flaps in the clavicular region were found good in appearance with no obvious swelling, and the donor sites healed well without scar contracture or dysfunction. One patient with a squamous cell carcinoma died of lung metastasis at 13 months after surgery. The rest of patients were found no tumour recurrence and had completed postoperative follow-up.Conclusion:After radical resection of malignant soft tissue tumours in the clavicular region, appropriate flaps were selected according to the size (short diameter) and depth of the modified defects, as well as the skin elasticity and relaxation of the flap donor site, hence to facilitate the direct suture of the flap donor site. It not only effectively reconstructs the surgical defect in clavicular region, but also minimises the damage to the flap donor site and achieves an aesthetic appearance at the flap donor site.

Objective: To obtain the diversity and abundance of fast-growing bacteria in the surface water of the northeast coast of Hainan Island in China, different cultivation methods were employed. This study also aims to provide a reference for isolating bacterial samples from seawater sources and preventing marine-derived pathogens. Methods: Based on the principles of taxonomic design, surface seawater samples were collected from six locations along the northeast coast of Hainan Island in China in March, June, October, and December 2021. Then, bacterial enrichment was performed based on traditional cultivation methods for Salmonella, Vibrio, Burkholderia pseudomallei, Actinomycetes, and general marine bacteria. After that, bacterial species identification was conducted by 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing and metagenomic sequencing. Results: A total of 1 151 fast-growing cultivable bacteria belonging to 66 genera and 213 species were identified using five different culture protocols. In different cultivation protocols, Bacillus and Klebsiella demonstrated extensive discriminatory advantages and ranked among the top genera in terms of abundance. Protocol 1 had Escherichia, Klebsiella, and Citrobacter as dominant genera. Pathogenic bacteria detected by protocol 1 included Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli, with 37 and 29 strains respectively, while Salmonella enterica was uniquely detected with seven isolates. Proteus, Enterococcus, and Providencia were the dominant genera in protocol 2, and Proteus mirabilis was the most abundant pathogenic bacteria detected with 66 isolates. Vibrio cholerae was uniquely detected with six isolates at a higher abundance. Klebsiella, Escherichia, and Acinetobacter were the dominant genera in protocol 3, and Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most abundant pathogenic bacteria detected with 53 isolates, while Acinetobacter nosocomialis was uniquely detected with seven isolates. Vibrio and Pseudoalteromonas were the dominant genera in protocol 4, and they showed advantages in isolating and cultivating Marine-derived Vibrio. Exiguobacterium, Staphylococcus, and Bacillus were the dominant genera in protocol 5. Bacillus cereus and Lactococcus lactis were the most abundant pathogenic bacteria detected with 20 and 15 isolates, respectively, while Lactococcus lactis was uniquely detected at higher abundance. Metagenomic sequencing showed that Klebsiella pneumoniae was significantly dominant with a gene abundance of 51.11%, followed by Alcanivorax sp. at 12.57%. Conclusion: The surface water of the northeast coast of Hainan Island in China exhibits a rich diversity of bacteria, with Klebsiella pneumoniae being highly abundant in the studied area. Different cultivation methods demonstrate distinct selective advantages in culturing bacterial genera and pathogens. Therefore, it is necessary to optimize cultivation conditions for specific marine bacteria.
Humans ; Water ; Bacteria/genetics* ; Seawater/microbiology* ; Escherichia coli ; Enterococcus ; Klebsiella pneumoniae ; China

Objective: To obtain the diversity and abundance of fast-growing bacteria in the surface water of the northeast coast of Hainan Island in China, different cultivation methods were employed. This study also aims to provide a reference for isolating bacterial samples from seawater sources and preventing marine-derived pathogens. Methods: Based on the principles of taxonomic design, surface seawater samples were collected from six locations along the northeast coast of Hainan Island in China in March, June, October, and December 2021. Then, bacterial enrichment was performed based on traditional cultivation methods for Salmonella, Vibrio, Burkholderia pseudomallei, Actinomycetes, and general marine bacteria. After that, bacterial species identification was conducted by 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing and metagenomic sequencing. Results: A total of 1 151 fast-growing cultivable bacteria belonging to 66 genera and 213 species were identified using five different culture protocols. In different cultivation protocols, Bacillus and Klebsiella demonstrated extensive discriminatory advantages and ranked among the top genera in terms of abundance. Protocol 1 had Escherichia, Klebsiella, and Citrobacter as dominant genera. Pathogenic bacteria detected by protocol 1 included Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli, with 37 and 29 strains respectively, while Salmonella enterica was uniquely detected with seven isolates. Proteus, Enterococcus, and Providencia were the dominant genera in protocol 2, and Proteus mirabilis was the most abundant pathogenic bacteria detected with 66 isolates. Vibrio cholerae was uniquely detected with six isolates at a higher abundance. Klebsiella, Escherichia, and Acinetobacter were the dominant genera in protocol 3, and Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most abundant pathogenic bacteria detected with 53 isolates, while Acinetobacter nosocomialis was uniquely detected with seven isolates. Vibrio and Pseudoalteromonas were the dominant genera in protocol 4, and they showed advantages in isolating and cultivating Marine-derived Vibrio. Exiguobacterium, Staphylococcus, and Bacillus were the dominant genera in protocol 5. Bacillus cereus and Lactococcus lactis were the most abundant pathogenic bacteria detected with 20 and 15 isolates, respectively, while Lactococcus lactis was uniquely detected at higher abundance. Metagenomic sequencing showed that Klebsiella pneumoniae was significantly dominant with a gene abundance of 51.11%, followed by Alcanivorax sp. at 12.57%. Conclusion: The surface water of the northeast coast of Hainan Island in China exhibits a rich diversity of bacteria, with Klebsiella pneumoniae being highly abundant in the studied area. Different cultivation methods demonstrate distinct selective advantages in culturing bacterial genera and pathogens. Therefore, it is necessary to optimize cultivation conditions for specific marine bacteria.
Humans ; Water ; Bacteria/genetics* ; Seawater/microbiology* ; Escherichia coli ; Enterococcus ; Klebsiella pneumoniae ; China

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of percutaneous balloon compression (PBC) in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia (TN) and the risk factors of postoperative recurrence.Methods:A retrospective case-control study was conducted to collect the clinical data of 200 TN patients admitted to Hebei General Hospital from February 2018 to February 2019. According to different treatment methods, the patients were divided into operation group ( n=150) and conservative group ( n=50). The operation group received PBC treatment, and the conservative group received conservative treatment. The clinical efficacy of the two groups was recorded, including total effective rate, VAS, quality of life score (physical function, health status, social function, mental health). Patients treated with PBC were followed up for 4 years, and were divided into relapse group ( n=23) and non-recurrence group ( n=127) according to postoperative recurrence. The baseline data and laboratory indexes of the two groups were recorded, including fasting blood glucose, procalcitonin, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α). Measurement data with normal distribution were expressed as mean±standard deviation ( ± s), and t-test was used for comparison between groups. Chi-square test was used for comparison between count data groups. The factors related to postoperative recurrence of TN patients were first analyzed by univariate analysis, and then by multivariate Logistic regression analysis. A nomogram prediction model was constructed to predict postoperative recurrence, and its prediction efficiency was evaluated. The model was stratified by X-tile software to discuss its clinical application value. Results:The total effective rate, VAS of the operation group were 94.00%, 2.14±0.57, the conservative group were 78.00%, 3.87±1.16, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( P< 0.05). The scores of physical function, health status, social function and mental health of quality of life in the operation group after treatment were 89.75±4.67, 90.36±5.68, 87.68±4.16, 88.79±5.09, the conservative group were 82.54±4.03, 84.67±4.28, 81.45±4.09, 80.69±4.89, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( P< 0.05). Of 150 patients treated with PBC, 23 (15.33%) relapsed. Hypertension( OR=2.537, 95% CI: 1.069-6.019), diabetes( OR=5.179, 95% CI: 1.492-17.970), hyperlipidemia( OR=2.447, 95% CI: 1.227-4.883), CRP≥6.62 mg/L( OR=6.386, 95% CI: 1.738-9.854), IL-6≥19.55 ng/L( OR=8.028, 95% CI: 1.279-12.214), procalcitonin ≥1.13 ng/mL ( OR=7.615, 95% CI: 5.020-14.559), TNF-α≥4.56 ng/L( OR=6.226, 95% CI: 4.950-13.337) were independent risk factors for postoperative recurrence of PBC ( P<0.05). Based on the nomogram constructed by the above 7 risk factors, the decision curve showed that the net benefit rate was greater than 0 when the threshold probability was between 0.01 and 0.91. The X-tile software was used to divide the model into three levels of low (>21.6), medium (13.8-21.6) and high (<13.8) risk according to the Logistic risk score, and the postoperative recurrence probability of PBC was 10.87%, 20.74% and 64.04%, respectively. The recurrence rate of PBC in the high-risk group was significantly higher than that in the medium-risk group and the low-risk group ( χ2=5.136, P=0.015). Conclusions:Percutaneous balloon compression of trigeminal nerve in the treatment of patients with trigeminal neuralgia has the advantages of high total effective rate, fewer postoperative complications, good clinical efficacy, quick effect and so on. The construction of percutaneous balloon compression of trigeminal nerve in patients with trigeminal neuralgia postoperative recurrence risk prediction model to provide reference for clinical improvement of patient rehabilitation.

Objective:To investigate the clinical effects of free descending branch tissue flap of lateral circumflex femoral artery in repairing Wagner grade 3 or 4 diabetic foot wounds.Methods:A retrospective observational study was conducted. From October 2019 to January 2022, 12 patients (10 males and 2 females, aged 38-66 years, with an average of 52 years) with diabetic foot wounds who met the inclusion criteria were admitted to the First People's Hospital of Yulin, of whom 5 cases being Wagner grade 3 and 7 cases being Wagner grade 4. Wound debridement and vacuum sealing drainage were performed to control infection, and the wound area after debridement was between 13 cm×6 cm and 28 cm×11 cm. The wounds were repaired with free descending branch tissue flaps of lateral circumflex femoral artery. Among them, the wounds of 4 cases were repaired with single flap of musculocutaneous branch or intermuscular branch of descending branch tissue flap of lateral circumflex femoral artery, 1 case with lobulated flap, 1 case with bilateral tandem flap, and 6 cases with chimeric lateral femoral muscle flap. The area of resected tissue flap was 9 cm×7 cm to 21 cm×10 cm; end-to-end anastomosis was selected between vessels in the donor sites and the recipient sites, and pressurized treatment should be performed if necessary. The donor site wounds of 10 patients were treated with cosmetic tension-relieving suture, and the donor site wounds of 2 patients were repaired with split-thickness skin graft from head. After operation, the condition of wound repair was recorded. After wound healing, the level of 2-hour postprandial blood glucose of patients was measured. During follow-up, the wound healing of the recipient site and scar formation of the donor site were observed. Before and 6 months after operation, computer tomography angiography was used to detect and compare the blood perfusion of the affected limb. At the last follow-up, the walking ability of the patients was recorded.Results:The wounds of 9 patients healed well after operation; the flaps in the recipient site of 2 patients were infected on postoperative day 5 after surgery and were repaired by suturing in stage Ⅱ after open drainage and inflammation control; the distal end of the grafted tandem flap in 1 patient gradually developed purple necrosis on postoperative day 4 and was repaired with a skin graft after debridement. After wound healing, the 2-hour postprandial blood glucose value of all patients was controlled in the range of 8-12 mmol/L. During Follow-up of 6 months to 1 year, 3 patients had partial ulceration in the plantar compression area, which healed after decompression combined with dressing change or flap repair, while the other 9 patients had no ulceration in the recipient area; the appearance of the affected foot was plump after wound healing, the transplanted flaps had good blood supply and good fit with the surrounding tissue, and were wear-resistant, but insensitive. During follow-up, only linear scar remained in the donor area of direct suture in 10 cases, and the skin grafts in the donor area were completely survived in 2 cases. Compared with the patency of the main blood vessels of the ankle joint segment of the affected limb before operation, the vascular network of the flap transplantation area in the affected foot was formed 6 months after operation. At the last follow-up, 8 patients could walk independently, and 4 patients could walk with crutches.Conclusions:The free descending branch tissue flap of lateral circumflex femoral artery is effective in repairing Wagner grade 3 or 4 diabetic foot wounds, which can shorten the course of disease and improve local blood flow.