Strategic considerations on the configuration of free flaps and their vascular pedicles combined with Ilizarov distraction in the lower extremity

Role of Perforating Artery Pedicled Neurotrophic Flap in the Treatment of Compound Tissue Defect of Tibia Using the Ilizarov Technique

OBJECTIVE

To describe our experience with the combined use of pedicled neurotrophic flap and distraction osteogenesis in the management of complex lower extremity injuries with composite bone and soft tissue defects and assess the functional and cosmetic results of this method.

METHODS

A pedicled flap with a marked perforator artery was applied for soft tissue coverage after radical debridement and temporary external fixation. In the second stage, the Ilizarov external fixator was used in place of the temporary external fixator for reconstruction of the segmental bone defect by distraction osteogenesis. Twenty-five patients (16 men and nine women; mean age, 39.2 years) were treated by using this combined technique between 2008 and 2016. All cases were graded initially as Gustilo-Anderson grade IIIB open fractures. The soft tissue defect after radical debridement ranged from 9 cm × 5 cm to 14 cm × 11 cm, and the average size of segmental defect was 5.2 (Range, 2.5-8.5) cm. Seventeen of these patients had a history of local infection. The bone structure and function were evaluated by two independent evaluators using Paley's criteria.

RESULTS

Twenty-five patients were followed up for an average of 28.96 (Range, 15-48) months. The distally based sural neurovascular flap was applied in 13 patients, and the greater saphenous neurocutaneous perforator flap in 12 patients. The flap area ranged from 10 cm × 5 cm to 14 cm × 12 cm. Sufficient coverage of soft tissue defect was achieved in all cases. All flaps survived completely without complications. The bone defects were corrected by a mean lengthening of 6.94 (Range, 4.5-9.5) cm. The residual discrepancy was <1 cm in all cases, which was not clinically significant. The function was evaluated as excellent in 12 patients and good in 13 patients. Bone results were graded as excellent in 18 patients and good in seven patients. Complications during treatment included pain, pin tract infections, ankle midfoot joint stiffness, and docking site nonunion. No recurrence of infection was observed in infected patients. All cases achieved successful limb salvage and satisfactory function recovery without recurrence of infection.

CONCLUSIONS

The combined technique of a perforator artery pedicled neurotrophic flap and distraction osteogenesis is an effective alternative approach in the salvage treatment of massively traumatized and chronically infected lower extremities.

A combined use of a free vascularised flap and an external fixator for reconstruction of lower extremity defects in children

PURPOSE

To describe a combined use of a free vascularised flap and an external fixator for reconstruction of lower extremity defects in children, and correction of equinus contracture developed after removal of the external fixator using a circular dynamic frame.

METHODS

Seven children (4 males) aged 4 to 12 (mean, 8) years were treated with 9 free vascularised flaps for 8 limbs (bilaterally in one patient and for a failed flap in another). Patient pathologies included: 3 soft tissue degloving injuries, one soft tissue and bone avulsion, one severe burn contracture, one resurfacing of soft tissue and bone necrosis, and one osteosarcoma resection defect. Free flap reconstruction was delayed in 6 patients (range, 3 weeks to 4 years). Static external fixators were used to stabilise the free vascularised flaps at the time of reconstruction, with the ankle in a neutral position.

RESULTS

The mean follow-up was 5 (1-10) years. All flaps but one survived; the failed one was immediately reconstructed with a contralateral, latissimus dorsi flap. One anastomosis following a Kirschner-wire injury was successfully revised. Six patients had pin tract infections and were treated with oral antibiotics. Two patients developed equinus contracture 6 and 3 years later, after removal of the external fixator, and were corrected by distraction, using a dynamic Ilizarov frame.

CONCLUSION

The combined use of a free flap and an external fixator for salvage of lower extremities is useful in children. Late development of equinus contracture can be safely corrected by distraction, without compromising flap viability.

The Effect of Timing of Surgery for Velopharyngeal Dysfunction on Speech

The timing of surgery for velopharyngeal dysfunction has been based on assumptions about the relation between age, speech development, and velopharyngeal dysfunction. Cleft palate teams often counsel parents to have an intervention for velopharyngeal dysfunction performed earlier rather than later, believing that earlier interventions result in more rapid or better normalization of speech. The objective of this retrospective chart review study is to determine whether the age at surgical intervention for velopharyngeal dysfunction has an effect on the subsequent length of speech therapy. Of 174 patients included in the study database, 36 had velopharyngeal dysfunction for which further velopharyngeal management was required. Of the 36 patients who received surgical velopharyngeal dysfunction management, 27 had verifiable speech therapy records. These 27 patients represent the study population. The outcome measure was the total length of subsequent speech therapy until speech normalization. The data suggest that there is no relation between the age at velopharyngeal dysfunction surgical management and the amount of speech therapy needed to achieve normalization of the speech impairments secondary to velopharyngeal dysfunction after that management. In conclusion, 1) the age at surgical velopharyngeal dysfunction management (pharyngeal flap or sphincter pharyngoplasty) does not have an effect on subsequent normalization of speech as measured by the duration of speech therapy necessary to achieve normalization of the speech impairments secondary to velopharyngeal dysfunction after that management, and 2) the age at surgical velopharyngeal dysfunction management does not affect the likelihood of subsequent surgical velopharyngeal dysfunction management procedures.

The accuracy of stereolithography in planning craniofacial bone replacement

Stereolithography can be used to produce physical models of the craniofacial skeleton from three-dimensional computed tomography (CT) data. The purpose of this study was to assess its accuracy for modeling osseous defects of the midface. Maxillary resections simulating unilateral maxillectomy (N = 3), bilateral maxillectomy (N = 3), and unilateral orbitomaxillectomy (N = 3) were performed as for sinus tumor resection on nine fresh cadaver skulls. Stereolithographic models (SLMs) were made from the specimen's CT data. The accuracy of SLMs was determined by comparing distances between key landmarks on the skulls and SLMs. Each SLM was grossly accurate with some loss of thin delicate structures. The mean differences in overall dimensions between the SLMs and skull specimens were 1.5 mm (range: 0-5.5 mm) for craniofacial measures, 1.2 mm (range: 0-4.8 mm) for skull base measures, 1.6 (range: 0-5.8 mm) for midface measures, 1.9 mm (range: 0-7.9 mm) for maxilla measures, and 1.5 mm (range: 0-5.7 mm) for orbital measures. The mean differences in defect dimensions were 1.9 mm (range: 0.1-5.7 mm) for unilateral maxillectomy, 0.8 mm (range: 0.2-1.5 mm) for bilateral maxillectomy, and 2.5 mm (range: 0.2-7.0 mm) for orbitomaxillectomy defects. Midface SLMs may be more prone to error than those of other craniofacial regions because of the presence of thin walls and small projections. Thus, one should consider designing midface bone replacements that are larger in critical dimensions than those predicted by preoperative modeling. These findings have important implications for the planning of current surgical methods as well as future applications of tissue-engineered bone replacement.

Orthopedic considerations in wound healing of the lower extremity

The advancing technologies available to the orthopedist are a necessary adjunct to heal wounds about the foot and ankle successfully. Successful wound healing should be viewed as a multidisciplinary approach, using the strengths of each discipline. Critical to an integrated method is communication preoperatively between the orthopedist and the plastic surgeon to create a streamlined process. This leads not only to improved rates of wound healing, but also to improved functional outcomes while reducing risks for recurrence.

Lower extremity microsurgical reconstruction

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

After studying this article, the participant should be able to: 1. Understand the indications for the use of free-tissue transfer in lower extremity reconstruction. 2. Understand modalities to enhance the healing and care of soft tissue and bone before free-tissue transfer. 3. Understand the lower extremity reconstructive ladder and the place of free-tissue transfer on the ladder. 4. Understand the specific principles of leg, foot, and ankle reconstruction. 5. Understand the factors that influence the decision to perform an immediate versus a delayed reconstruction. Free-tissue transfer using microsurgical techniques is now routine for the salvage of traumatized lower extremities. Indications for microvascular tissue transplantation for lower extremity reconstruction include high-energy injuries, most middle and distal-third tibial wounds, radiation wounds, osteomyelitis, nonunions, and tumor reconstruction. The authors discuss the techniques and indications for lower extremity reconstruction.