Systematic Review and Comparative Meta-Analysis of Outcomes Following Pedicled Muscle versus Fasciocutaneous Flap Coverage for Complex Periprosthetic Wounds in Patients with Total Knee Arthroplasty

[Versatility of the free serratus flap in microsurgical reconstruction: Evaluation of a series of 100 cases]

In the era of microsurgery and with the more recent advent of flaps, it is interesting to highlight the value of the serratus muscle flap in microsurgical reconstruction. A total of 100 flaps were performed in our department between 2001 and 2022, with 85% of cases in a post-traumatic context (acute or septic). There were 83 male and 17 female patients. The mean age was 40.5years, with extremes ranging from 11 to 76years. The origin of the tissue loss was as follows: acute trauma 73 cases; chronic/septic wound 19 cases; purpura fulminans 2 cases; tumour 6 cases. The size of the loss of substance varied from 15 to 200cm2, with an average of 90cm2. Four different types of flap were used: muscle flap ( 78 cases), musculocutaneous flap (5 cases), costo-osteomuscular flap (13 cases), costo-osteomusculocutaneous flap (4 cases). In all cases where the rib was taken, it was the 8th rib and sometimes the 7th. These vascularised rib flaps were performed for bone loss ranging from 5 to 12cm. In our series, there was a 6% complication rate at the recipient site (3 haematomas, 2 pneumothoraxes and one case of chronic pain). The overall success rate in our series was 82.8%, with only 20% of general complications and 6% of donor site complications, with very little aesthetic scarring or functional damage to the donor site. This flap, which is rarely used, is particularly interesting for limb reconstruction, as all its parameters can be adjusted according to the defect, and the length of its pedicle means that it can also be used to perform anastomoses at a distance from the traumatised area. It also offers the possibility of reconstructing a bony defect with a composite costal harvest.

Medial tab-type fasciocutaneous flap as an alternative for the management of soft tissue defects of the leg

BACKGROUND

Selecting the right technique for lower limb soft tissue reconstruction is a therapeutic challenge. Despite having several reconstruction options, it's important to choose a technique that is effective and with the least possible donor site morbidity.

OBJECTIVE

Demonstrate the therapeutic efficacy of the medial tab flap in soft tissue reconstruction on the leg, compared to conventional flaps.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Cohort study matched by age. 64 patients with soft tissue defects were selected and according to the intervention divided in: group 1)medial tab flap, and group 2)conventional flaps (sural, soleus, gastrocnemius) followed up to one year postoperatively.

OUTCOME VARIABLES

surgical time in minutes, healing, healing time in days, complications.

RESULTS

The patients who underwent surgery with medial tab flap and with conventional flaps healed completely. The healing time was 16.2±11.2 days in the tab flap and 16.1±11.2 days in conventional flaps, no statistically significant differences were found between the groups (P=.89). The surgical time for tab flaps was 225.2±117.8minutes, and 191.3±117.2minutes for the comparison flaps (P=.65), there were no statistically significant differences. There were no complications in the medial tab flaps.

CONCLUSION

The findings suggest that the medial tab flap technique is as effective as the conventional flap technique, with complete flap survival and healing, and without any major complications in this studied group.

Reconstruction of a septic femoral triangle fistula with a pedicled DIEP flap: A case report and mini-review

Flap-based reconstruction techniques have shown promise in preventing scar contractures and enhancing healing in fold areas by providing vascularized and thick tissue. We report a septic rupture of the superficial femoral artery treated with an arterial allograft and covered with a contralateral pedicled Deep Inferior Epigastric Artery Perforator (DIEP) flap. The patient presented favorable outcomes, including optimal healing at 8 months, with no functional limitation. A literature review also discusses alternative pedicled perforator flaps. These modern techniques present several advantages, including reliability, and can be of great interest in complex vascular surgery cases.

Complex periprosthetic wound coverage in patients undergoing revision total knee arthroplasty: a single plastic surgeon study

INTRODUCTION

Options for soft tissue coverage in revision total knee arthroplasty (rTKA) range from primary wound closure to complex muscle flap reconstructions. The purpose of this study was to investigate the institutional experience of wound coverage options for complex soft tissue defects in rTKA.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

77 patients undergoing rTKA with complex wound closure by a single plastic surgeon were retrospectively reviewed. The average follow-up was 30.1 months. In 18 (23.4%) patients, an intraoperative decision for primary closure was made. Fifty-nine patients (76.6%) received either a local fasciocutaneous (N = 18), a medial gastrocnemius (N = 37), a free latissimus dorsi (N = 3) or a lateral gastrocnemius flap (N = 1). Revision-free survival and complication rates were assessed and risk factors were analyzed with Cox-regression analysis.

RESULTS

Medial gastrocnemius flaps had significant lower cumulative revision-free survival rates than local fasciocutaneous flaps (P = 0.021) and primary closures (P < 0.001) (42.5% vs. 71.5% vs. 100%,respectively). Comparing the most common complex closure procedures medial gastrocnemius flaps had the highest rate of prolonged wound healing (29.7%) and infection/reinfection (40.5%). Infection-associated flap procedures had significant lower cumulative revision-free survival rates (30.5%) than non-infection associated flap procedures (62.8%,P = 0.047). A history of more than two prior surgeries (HR = 6.11,P < 0.001) and an age ≥ 65 years (HR = 0.30,P = 0.018) significantly increased the risk of revision.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study indicate that primary closure -if possible- should be preferred to early proactive muscle flap coverage. Even in the hands of an experienced plastic surgeon muscle flaps have high revision and complication rates. The study highlights the need to clarify flap indications and to investigate alternative approaches.

Hardware Salvage in the Lower Extremity after Flap Coverage: 10-Year Single Center Outcomes Analysis

An unanswered question with open tibial fractures is whether the type of flap used affects hardware retention. Flap survival may not equate hardware retention or limb salvage. In this study, we performed a 10-year single institution review and analysis of all patients who had placement of hardware for open tibial fractures followed by flap coverage.

Methods

Inclusion criteria consisted of patients who underwent pedicled or free flap coverage of Gustilo IIIB or IIIC tibial fractures requiring open reduction and internal fixation. Outcomes and complications were statistically analyzed based on flap type. Flap type was stratified into free versus pedicled flaps and muscle versus fasciocutaneous flaps. Primary outcome measures included hardware failure and infection requiring hardware removal. Secondary outcome measures included limb salvage, flap success, and fracture union.

Results

Overall primary outcome measures were better for pedicled flaps (n = 31), with lower rates of hardware failure and infection (25.8%; 9.7%) compared with free flaps (n = 27) (51.9%; 37.0%). Limb salvage and flap success was not different comparing pedicled and free flaps. There was no significant difference in outcomes between muscle and fasciocutaneous flaps. Multivariable analysis showed that patients who had free versus pedicled flaps or muscle versus fasciocutaneous flaps had a higher chance of hardware failure. A formal orthoplastic team was established in the period from 2017 to 2022, after which flap numbers were higher and hardware failure less for pedicled and fasciocutaneous flaps.

Conclusions

Pedicled flaps were associated with lower rates of hardware failure and infection requiring hardware removal. A formal orthoplastic team improves hardware-related outcomes.

The Utility of Flap Coverage for Limb Salvage in Patients With Severe Prosthetic Joint Infections of the Knee Requiring Implant Exchange

BACKGROUND

Prosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a challenging complication of knee arthroplasty, which can require amputation in severe cases. This study analyzes the utility of flap reconstruction in PJIs requiring hardware removal and extensive soft tissue debridement.

METHODS

This was a retrospective analysis of patients who were treated according to a multistage extremity salvage protocol between 2018 and 2022. The protocol involved at least 3 planned surgeries including (1) hardware removal with antibiotic spacer placement and soft tissue debridement, (2) spacer exchange with flap coverage, and (3) hardware reimplantation with simultaneous or delayed extensor mechanism reconstruction. All patients had large periprosthetic tissue defects that would necessitate an amputation if not reconstructed. Primary outcomes were extremity salvage and successful defect coverage.

RESULTS

Fifty-two patients (25 female) underwent 62 reconstructions (52 primary, 10 salvage). Flap techniques included pedicled muscular (n = 32), fasciocutaneous (n = 4), combined muscular and fasciocutaneous (n = 2), and free flaps (n = 24). Overall rate of successful defect coverage was 95% (98% in primary and 80% in salvage reconstructions). At a median follow-up of 11 months, 41 patients completed the treatment protocol with a 68% (n = 28) extremity salvage rate (reimplantation arthroplasty, n = 15; permanent knee fusion, n = 13). On the multivariate model including demographic factors, defect size, and flap type, no single factor independently predicted limb salvage.

CONCLUSIONS

Alongside intensive orthopedic surgical treatment, flap coverage may aid in extremity salvage in severe knee PJIs by reestablishing healthy soft tissue coverage and allowing reimplantation arthroplasty. We recommend a multispecialty approach including plastic surgeons for this challenging condition.

Free Tissue Transfer for Patients with Chronic Lower Extremity Wounds

Chronic lower extremity wounds are defined as wounds that fail to heal within 3 months of defect onset. Free tissue transfer offers an opportunity for limb salvage and length preservation. Preoperative optimization includes a medical and nutritional consult, complete work-up by vascular surgery, and an analysis of bony stability and gait biomechanics by podiatric surgery. In the authors' practice, the thigh has proved the workhorse donor site and offers fasciocutaneous and muscle-based flaps depending on defect characteristics. Postoperative care requires early monitoring for flap compromise and continued long-term follow-up for wound recurrence.

Advancements in Reconstructive Surgery Broaden Opportunities for Salvage of the Injured Lower Extremity

Advancements in microsurgery have made lower extremity reconstruction possible even after major soft tissue loss or tibial nerve disruption. There is an ongoing paradigm shift in the indications for amputation versus salvage and in flap selection protocols for different areas of the lower extremity. Initial evaluation, patient selection, triage, and timing of reconstruction are essential factors that can influence functional and aesthetic outcomes. The emergence of perforator flaps and the application of new concepts such as free-style flaps, propeller perforator flaps, thinning of free flaps, and supermicrosurgery have provided reconstructive surgeons with many techniques to decrease donor-site morbidity and improve outcomes. This includes options for reconstruction on extremities with single or no adequate runoff vessels. We present a review of the major advancements in reconstructive surgery for salvage of the traumatic lower extremity.

Lower limb perforator flaps: Current concept

Following a long period dominated by random fasciocutaneous flaps or muscle flaps, solutions to cover the lower limb have been largely diversified by the advent of so-called "perforator" flaps. Extended knowledge of vascular anatomy has propagated the development of this innovative procedure, in the objective of reducing morbidity. The existence of close to 400 perforator vessels in the body makes it possible to offer new flap perspectives for many defects, which were sometimes previously impossible to manage before except by free flap. For us, perforator flaps have become the current first-line solutions for small to medium size loss of substances. Understanding of vascular physiology and surgical experience are essential in choosing indications, detecting perforators, and modeling flaps to be optimally positioned in the reconstructive decisional algorithm. New skills are needed to master this type of reconstruction and limit failures, which implies a learning curve not only for flap design, perforator detection and surgical procedure, but also for monitoring and management of complications. In this manuscript, we outline the concepts and principles of the majority of the pedicled perforator flaps available for coverage of the lower limb, based on experience of more than 400 perforator flaps suitable for this localization.

Medical innovations to maintain the function in patients with chronic PJI for whom explantation is not desirable: a pathophysiology-, multidisciplinary-, and experience-based approach

INTRODUCTION

PJI is the most dramatic complication after joint arthroplasty. In patients with chronic infection, prosthesis exchange is in theory the rule. However, this surgical approach is sometimes not desirable especially in elderly patients with multiple comorbidities, as it could be associated with a dramatic loss of function, reduction of the bone stock, fracture, or peroperative death. We propose here to report different approaches that can help to maintain the function in such patients based on a pathophysiology-, multidisciplinary-, and an experience-based approach.

METHODS

We describe the different points that are needed to treat such patients: (i) the multidisciplinary care management; (ii) understanding the mechanism of bacterial persistence; (iii) optimization of the conservative surgical approach; (iv) use of suppressive antimicrobial therapy (SAT); (v) implementation of innovative agents that could be used locally to target the biofilm.

RESULTS

In France, a nation-wide network called CRIOAc has been created and funded by the French Health ministry to manage complex bone and joint infection. Based on the understanding of the complex pathophysiology of PJI, it seems to be feasible to propose conservative surgical treatment such as "debridement antibiotics and implant retention" (with or without soft-tissue coverage) followed by SAT to control the disease progression. Finally, there is a rational for the use of particular agents that have the ability to target the bacteria embedded in biofilm such as bacteriophages and phage lysins.

DISCUSSION

This multistep approach is probably a key determinant to propose innovative management in patients with complex PJI, to improve the outcome.

CONCLUSION

Conservative treatment has a high potential in patients with chronic PJI for whom explantation is not desirable. The next step will be to evaluate such practices in nation-wide clinical trials.

Total Knee Arthroplasty Wound Complication Treatment Algorithm: Current Soft Tissue Coverage Options

BACKGROUND

Wound complications associated with soft tissue defects following total knee arthroplasty present challenges for the orthopedic surgeon. The scale of early complications include less morbid problems, such as quickly resolving drainage and small superficial eschars, to persistent drainage and full-thickness tissue necrosis, which may require advanced soft tissue coverage.

METHODS

This review outlines current wound management strategies and provides an algorithm to help guide treatment and clinical decision-making.

CONCLUSION

A surgeon's understanding of soft tissue coverage options is essential in protecting the knee prosthesis from a deep infection and to obtain an optimal functional outcome.