Single-Stage Reconstruction with Innate Chimeric-Free Fibula Flap in Limb-Preserving Excision of Upper Limb Sarcomas

Introduction

The limb-preserving excision is the standard of care in upper limb sarcoma management, but the resulting complex composite defects are exacting the expertise of the reconstructive surgeons. This study was done to evaluate a novel single-stage reconstruction of these defects using an innate chimeric-free fibula flap (a nonfabricated, anatomically available multiple tissue components harvested on independent perforators arising from the same peroneal source vessel).

Patients and Methods

Twenty patients (16 male/4 female) with an average age of 29.5 years with upper extremity sarcoma (Enneking IIA/IIB) were treated by wide local excision and innate chimeric-free fibula flap reconstruction from March 2012 to March 2020. All the patients were followed for an average period of 18.3 months. At the end of the follow-up, the outcome was assessed by musculoskeletal tumor score (MSTS).

Results

The flow-through flap was done in five patients. Muscle-tendon unit defects were reconstructed with a vascularized peroneus longus muscle-tendon unit in 15 patients. Nerve gap reconstruction using vascularized superficial peroneal nerve was done in eight patients. All patients had a segmental defect in the appendicular skeleton that was reconstructed with the vascularized fibular strut component. Soleus chimeric muscle component was used as a void filler and for covering the hardware in seven patients. The average size of the chimeric cutaneous component paddle was 30.7 cm2. The average length of fibula used for reconstruction was 16.6 cm. All flaps survived well, facilitating good hand function at the end of the follow-up. The average outcome score as per the MSTS was 22 (p = 0.035).

Conclusion

The innate chimeric-free fibula flap provides all tissue components facilitating a good functional outcome. The advantage is the restoration of a functional hand in a single-stage reconstruction.

Donor-Site Morbidity after Fibula Transplantation in Head and Neck Tumor Patients: A Split-Leg Retrospective Study with Focus on Leg Stability and Quality of Life

The free fibula flap has been one of the most important microvascular grafts for orofacial reconstruction for more than 30 years. The complication rates at the donor-site reported in literature are considered to be low, but the published data vary greatly in some cases. In particular, restrictions in the stability and balance of the involved leg and their effects on the quality of life have been described very inconsistently to date. Therefore, this study mainly focuses on the stability and balance of the affected leg in a split-leg design. Between December 2014 and January 2018, out of 119 subjects who underwent mainly jaw ablative tumor surgery and reconstruction using a fibula flap, 68 subjects were examined for donor site morbidity. Besides reporting general types of complications, two specific test procedures were used. The Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) as a practical test for ankle function and the Foot and Ankle Disability Index (FADI) as a questionnaire in order to assess quality of life, depending on the lower leg function. SEBT revealed an average of 55.3 cm with the operated leg as the supporting leg, which corresponds to 95.5% of 57.9 cm achieved with the healthy leg as the supporting leg. An average FADI score of 89.4% was recorded. SEBT and FADI seem to be suitable methods of examination for subjects post fibular transplantation and pointed out minimal limitations of the involved legs in comparison to the unaffected legs. These limitations were clinically not relevant and they had minor influence on the subjects' quality of life and their daily activities.

Long-term donor site morbidity in head and neck cancer patients and its impact on quality of life: a cross-sectional study

Modern head and neck reconstructive surgery offers a multitude of different reconstructive options. In such cases, donor site morbidity is an important factor in the affected patient's decision-making. The aim of this study was to perform an objective comparison of donor site morbidity for the five most frequent microvascular donor sites in head and neck reconstructive surgery (radial forearm, anterolateral thigh, fibula, iliac crest, and scapula) using a uniform testing system. In this cross-sectional study, 117 donor sites were analyzed (106 for malignant disease and 11 for non-malignant disease): 73 radial forearm, 14 scapula, 12 anterolateral thigh, 10 fibula, and eight iliac crest. Testing consisted of range of motion, muscle strength, and sensation. The non-affected side served as the control. Quality of life was assessed using the Washington Quality of Life Questionnaire version 4 in its German translation. Range of motion was restricted in 15 cases (12.8%). Muscle strength was decreased in 58 cases (49.6%). Sensation was reduced in 70 cases (60%). Concerning quality of life, 31.2% of patients were limited in their daily activities. The scapula flap showed the highest incidence of overall donor site morbidity. However, correlation between objective and subjective donor site impairment was weak and the majority of patients experienced only minor limitations.

Vascular anatomy of the free fibula flap including the lateral head of the soleus muscle applied to maxillo-mandibular reconstruction

PURPOSE

Initially described by Baudet in 1982, the fibula flap including the lateral head of the soleus muscle allows a one-stage reconstruction for large maxillo-mandibular defects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the number of muscular branches destined to the soleus muscle and their distance from the origin of the fibular artery, to assess the vascular anatomy of the free fibula flap including the lateral head of the soleus muscle applied to maxillo-mandibular reconstruction.

METHODS

We performed a cadaveric anatomic study on ten lower limbs, and a CT angiography anatomic study on 38 legs. The number of soleus branches originating from the fibular artery, and the distance between the origin of the fibular artery and each of the identified branches were measured.

RESULTS

The number of soleus branches destined to the lateral head of the soleus muscle is variable, with in our study 1-3 branches found. Soleus branches destined to the lateral head of the soleus muscle emerged at a distance ranging between 0 and 2.9 cm (mean value = 1.82 cm) from the origin of the fibular artery in 40% of cases, between 3 and 5.9 cm (mean value = 4.27 cm) from the origin of the fibular artery in 37% of cases, and was at a distance of 6 cm or more (mean value = 6.93 cm) from the origin of the fibular artery in 20% of cases.

CONCLUSIONS

An origin of the soleus vessels in close proximity to the origin of the fibular artery represents the main limitation of this flap, the length of the remaining fibular pedicle making it difficult to achieve secure anastomosis in the cervical area. The vascular distribution of the proximal part of the lateral head of the soleus muscle being segmental, it is possible to lengthen the flap pedicle ligating the most proximal soleus branches originating from the fibular artery.

Preoperative 6-minute walk distance accurately predicts postoperative complications after operations for hepato-pancreato-biliary cancer

BACKGROUND

Operation for hepato-pancreato-biliary cancer is among the most invasive open abdominal operations, with a high postoperative morbidity and mortality rate. The purpose of the present study is to investigate whether a preoperative 6-minute walk distance can predict major postoperative complications after operation for hepato-pancreato-biliary diseases.

METHODS

A total of 81 participants who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy, major hepatectomy with extrahepatic bile duct resection, or hepatopancreatoduodenectomy were included. The 6-minute walk distance was performed within 1 week before operation. Patients were categorized into 2 groups based on surgical complications: Clavien-Dindo grade <3 and Clavien-Dindo grade ≥3. Clinical differences between the 2 groups were analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors for postoperative complications that were categorized as Clavien-Dindo grade ≥3.

RESULTS

The multiple logistic regression model revealed a significant correlation between major postoperative complications and preoperative low 6-minute walk distance, low body mass index, and major blood loss. In patients with 6-minute walk distance <400 m (1,312 feet), the Clavien-Dindo grade was considerably greater than patients with ≥400 m.

CONCLUSION

The 6-minute walk distance is useful in identifying patients with a greater chance of developing major postoperative complications after surgery for hepato-pancreato-biliary cancer.

Free Vascularized Fibular Strut Autografts to the Lumbar Spine in Complex Revision Surgery: A Report of Two Cases

This case report presents two patients who underwent fibular strut grafting for complex revisions of previous lumbar spine arthrodeses. A case review of the Electronic Medical Record at the index institution was performed to evaluate the timeline of events of the two patients who underwent fibular strut grafting for complex revisions of previous lumbar spine arthrodesis, including imaging studies, progress notes, and laboratory results. One patient had developed chronic L3 vertebral body osteomyelitis from a prior fibular allograft and instrumentation placed for a traumatic burst fracture. The second patient had a severe scoliosis recalcitrant to prior arthrodeses in the context of Marfan syndrome and a persistent L4-5 pseudarthrosis. Both patients underwent free vascularized fibular autograft revision arthrodeses. At most recent long-term follow-up, both patients had improved clinically and neither had required further revision. The use of free vascularized fibular grafting is an excellent option for a variety of spinal indications, and these two reports indicate that the technology may have an indication for use after multiple failed surgeries for osteomyelitis or correction of a multi-level large spinal deformity secondary to Marfan syndrome.

Modified surgical techniques of free vascularized fibular grafting for treatment of the osteonecrosis of femoral head: results from a series of 407 cases

The goal for treatment of osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is to relieve pain, preserve the contour of the femoral head, and delay the need for total hip arthroplasty. The free vascularized fibular grafting (FVFG) has been shown to support the subchondral architecture as well as restore local circulation for the necrotic femoral head in treatment of ONFH. This report aimed to present the clinical results of the use of a modified surgical technique of FVFG for treatment of ONFH. Four hundred and seven patients with 578 hips of ONFH were included. The patients' average age was 36.7 years old (ranging 19-55 years old). The disease was staged from II to V based on the Steinberg classification system. By the modified procedure, the vascularized fibular graft was harvested via a lateral incision with fibular osteotomy prior to the exposure of the vascular pedicle, and the removal of necrotic tissue and inset of graft were performed through an anterior approach. The operative time averaged 90 min for unilateral ONFH (ranging 75-110 min) and 190 min for simultaneous treatment of bilateral ONFH (ranging 160-230 min). The average length of follow-up was 5.0 years (ranging 3-10 years). The complications included one infection in one case, temporary loss of sensation of the thigh in eleven cases, and restricted motion of the great toe in nine cases. The Harris hip score of patients improved from 65.0 to 86.9 on average. Radiographic evaluation showed no changes in 331 hips (57.3%), improvement in 195 hips (33.7%) and necrosis progression in 52 hips (9.0%). Twenty-three hips (4.0%) in 20 patients had total hip arthroplasty during the period. These results show that the modified technique of the use of FVFG for treatment of ONFH yields similar postoperative results in comparison to the traditional method.

A modified free chimeric osteocutaneous fibular flap design for head and neck reconstruction: experience on a series of 10 cases

BACKGROUND

We have previously described a modified chimeric fibular osteocutaneous flap design based on a combination of a traditional fibular flap and a peroneal artery perforator fasciocutaneous flap for mandible and adjacent soft tissue reconstruction. The purpose of this article is to share our experience with a larger case series utilizing this new technique for mandible and adjacent soft tissue reconstruction after cancer wide excision surgery and a more detailed description on these flaps harvesting procedures.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Ten patients (age range from 32 to 63 years), who had segmental defect of mandible and adjacent soft tissue defect after cancer wide excision surgery, received mandible and adjacent soft tissue reconstruction based on the modified chimeric fibular flap design.

RESULTS

The skin paddle based on peroneal perforators ranged from 9 cm × 3.5 cm to 10 cm × 10 cm and the mean pedicle length was 8.9 cm. Four patients underwent primary closure of the donor site. Three flap salvage procedures were performed due to vascular thrombosis and all flaps survived well. Nine patients had acceptable outer appearance, and one patient complained of cheek sunken. All patients had at least 3-cm interincisor distance during a mean of 12-month follow-up period.

CONCLUSION

The modified chimeric osteocutaneous fibula flaps were feasible design with few intermuscular septum problems during bone fixation. Furthermore, it provided larger skin paddles with few restrictions to reconstruct the cheek skin defect.

Preoperative MR angiography for free fibula osteocutaneous flap transfer

INTRODUCTION

Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) is currently considered the most useful test to evaluate the vascular anatomy of the lower leg prior to free fibula osteocutaneous flap transfer. This study aimed to confirm the validity of preoperative MRA.

METHODS

In 19 patients underwent free fibula osteocutaneous flap transfer for maxillary and mandibular reconstruction, the MRA and intraoperative findings and the postoperative complications were retrospectively analyzed. The location and number of distal septocutaneous perforators (dSCPs) that were preoperatively identified and harvested with flaps were documented.

RESULTS

Preoperative MRA detected dSCPs with 100% sensitivity. MRA findings also revealed the diversity of vascular structures, such as the tibio-peroneal bifurcation location and the anatomical relationship between the peroneal vessels and the fibula. No patients suffered postoperative ischemic complications in the donor leg. The total flap survival rate was 95 %.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative MRA effectively excluded large vessel anomalies and peripheral vascular disease, and precisely identified the septocutaneous perforators. Additionally, preoperative MRA contributed to a safer fibular osteotomy by predicting the anatomical relationship between the peroneal vessels and the fibula.

Donor-site morbidity after fibula free flap transfer: a comparison of subjective evaluation using a visual analogue scale and point evaluation system

The aims of this study were: (1) to compare the visual analogue scale (VAS) with the point evaluation system (PES) in the subjective evaluation of donor-site morbidity after fibula free flap transfer; (2) to compare the functional outcomes of fibula free flap surgery between patients with a normal body mass index (BMI) and patients with a high BMI, and between skin paddle and non-skin paddle harvesting; and (3) to determine the correlation between functional outcomes and related factors. This study included 15 patients who underwent a vascularized fibula free flap transfer for oral and maxillofacial reconstruction. Demographic data, preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative data were collected. Subjective self-evaluation of functional outcomes was done using a VAS followed by a PES. Comparison of the VAS and PES scores was assessed with Pearson's correlation coefficient. The statistical significance was set at P<0.05. The VAS score was significantly correlated with the PES score (r=0.63, P=0.01). The tourniquet times for the skin paddle group were longer than for the non-skin paddle group (P=0.02), while the satisfaction score of the non-skin paddle group was higher than that of the skin paddle group (P=0.03). The VAS is a potential option for the subjective evaluation of donor-site morbidity after fibula free flap transfer.