Reading man flap in four dogs: a case series

BACKGROUND

The reading man flap is a novel technique in human medicine for the closure of cutaneous circular defects. To the best of our knowledge, no recent clinical studies have described this procedure in small animals.

CASE PRESENTATION

In this case series, we present four dogs in which neoplasms were reconstructed using the reading man procedure, which is a double-advancement transposition subdermal flap. The reading man flap was applied in wound revision after surgical removal of a neoplasm in two dogs and in the closure following the excision of a neoplasm in another two dogs. Successful tension-free closure of the lesion site was achieved in all four patients. The postoperative period was uneventful in all patients, and there was no flap necrosis or surgical site infection, although surgical site infection preceded in two cases. Minor complications included partial suture dehiscence in one dog and seroma formation in two dogs. Only one dog required a second anesthesia to insert an active drainage system. The follow-up examination of all four dogs revealed no further complications with the reading man flap at time of the latest wound reevaluation conducted by the surgeon.

CONCLUSION

The reading man flap is a well-vascularized fasciocutaneous flap that provides tension-free closure owing to its asymmetrical Z-plasty. It is a simple-to-use option for the closure of circular skin lesions in dogs.

[A V-Y shaped flap with digital artery nerve at metacarpophalangeal joint was used to repair the defect of middle and distal phalanx]

OBJECTIVE

To explore a surgical method for the reconstruction of volar soft tissue defect and sensory and vascular repair in middle and far phalangeal digits.

METHODS

From January 2016 to January 2020, a total of 14 patients , 9 males and 5 females, ages ranging from 22 to 69 years old, and with volar soft tissue defects in the middle and distal digits 2 to 4, underwent surgical reconstruction using the V-Y shaped flap with digital artery and nerve at the metacarpophalangeal joint. The defect area was (2.0~2.5) cm×(1.5 ~2.0) cm. The procedure involved the harvest of a V-Y shaped flap with the digital artery and nerve from the metacarpophalangeal joint. Flap design, dissection of blood vessels and nerves, and anastomosis with the digital artery and nerve were performed according to a standardized protocol., Functional exercise of affected finger was initiated 3 weeks postoperatively. Subsequent assessments were conducted to evaluate finger pulp sensation, shape and other relevant parameters. According to the upper extremity functional evaluation standard set up by Hand Surgery Branch of Chinese Medical Association, the surgical outcomes were evaluated.

RESULTS

All 14 cases demonstrated successful tissue transplantation, , with immediate recovery of sensation observed in 10 cases with distal finger pulp defects. Four patients with middle phalangeal defects experienced gradual sensory recovery within 2 to 3 months postoperatively. Thirteen patients were followed up for a mean duration of (8.8 ± 4.49) months, during which satisfactory outcomes were observed. The average two-point resolution of the finger pulp was 4-6mm, and sensory function evaluation yielded a score of S3 or above. Patients exhibited realistic finger shape, normal skin color and temperature, good wear resistance, and cold resistance. Furthermore, finger joint function was essentially normal.

CONCLUSION

The V-Y shaped flap with digital artery and nerve at the metacarpophalangeal joint offers a suitable solution for repairing the defect of the middle or distal phalangeal finger. This technique is characterized by its simplicity, low risk, and favorable outcomes, including restored finger shape, blood supply and sensation. Moreover, high patient satisfaction was achieved.

Clinical Effectiveness of Dorsal Branch Skin Flap of Proper Palmar Digital Artery with Distal Pedicle in Repairing of Fingertip Soft Tissue Defect: A 1-Year Prospective Study in a Chinese Tertiary Referral Teaching Hospital

Background: Digital island flap remains among the most useful types of providing soft-tissues coverage for defect on the fingertip accompanied with underlying structures exposure. Nevertheless, its trends of functional and aesthetic issues such as the limited length of advancement and the limited flap size are the essential disadvantages. The main objective of the study was to assess the clinical effectiveness of dorsal branch skin flap of proper palmar digital artery with distal pedicle in repairing of fingertip soft tissue defect accompanied with underlying structures exposure. Methods: This is a 1-year prospective study, in which 21 patients (24 fingers) with traumatic fingertip skin and soft tissue defects had undergone emergency repair with dorsal skin flap of proper palmar digital artery with distal pedicle. The starting point of the dorsal proper palmar digital artery which is at the connection of distal interphalangeal joint with the digital midline was selected as the rotation point of the surgical skin flap, with an incision area of 1.1 cm × 1.4 cm-2.7 cm × 2.0 cm, the pedicle of 0.8-1.7 cm and disposition of 90°-120° to cover the fingertip. Results: All flaps had completely healed postoperatively. In 2 cases, tension blisters of the flap and partial necrosis were observed, which survived after change in dressing and rational administration vasodilator medication. Patients were followed up to 6 months. Favorable appearance and function were restored, and satisfactory recovery of the sensory functions of the fingers had been achieved. The two-point discrimination of skin flap with anastomosis of nerve could reach 4.5-9.4 mm (mean, 6.80 mm). Conclusions: Repairing the fingertip skin and soft tissue defect of 2^nd-5^th finger via primary surgical repair with dorsal distal pedicle or proper palmar digital artery skin flap is a good technique. The high survival rate of the flap, the favorable flap's appearance, and the satisfactory recovery of the sensory functions of the fingers are among the advantages of this reconstructive technique.

Successful Treatment of Vesicovaginal Fistulas via an Abdominal Transvesical Approach: A Single-center 50-yr Experience

BACKGROUND

A vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) is an abnormal communication between bladder and vagina, as a result of traumatic events to the female pelvis. A VVF is a rare event and challenging to cure. Successful treatment can be achieved through an abdominal approach, especially in complex or recurrent cases. This approach has been used in our institution as the procedure of choice for the past 50yr.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the results of the management of VVFs in our institution and to highlight the key points for success.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

A total of 138 patients with VVFs have been treated in our institution between 1969 and 2019. Up to now, this is the largest series reported so far on abdominal treatment of VVFs in the developed world.

INTERVENTION

an abdominal transvesical approach has been performed as the procedure of choice. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: to evaluate the factors influencing the success rate of the abdominal approach at the first closure attempt. Statistical analysis was performed using STATA software.

RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS

In total, 124 (90%) patients were submitted to transabdominal repair (89 extraperitoneal; 71.8%), 113 (91.1%) presented with a VVF not associated with another fistula, and 36 (29.0%) had undergone previous unsuccessful treatments elsewhere. Successful closure was obtained in 111/118 (94.1%) patients at the first attempt, excluding external noncontinent urinary diversions. Follow-up was possible in 95 (76.6%) patients; 91 (95.8%) patients were dry. Statistical analysis showed a significant association between fistula size and length, and VVF site in the bladder and extraperitoneal approach. Success rate decreased with the number of previous attempts and did not vary with VVF etiology.

CONCLUSIONS

The abdominal approach for the treatment of VVF has a high success rate. Standardization of the technique, identification of surgical key points, and centralization of care in centers with experience are critical.

PATIENT SUMMARY

A vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) is a rare clinical condition, with a high impact on patients' quality of life. We report a large series of VVFs treated in our institution in the past 50yr. Key factors for success include proper surgical technique and centralization of care in centers with high experience.