Grafts/flaps

Repair of chronic Achilles tendon rupture is a surgical challenge. We describe the use of a free turndown tendon flap augmentation raised from the proximal gastrocnemius aponeurosis. To control optimal tension or the reconstructed Achilles tendon length, we used an original method by referring to the gravity planter flexion ankle angle of the contralateral limb. Key aspects of the technique are described. A retrospective analysis of the short-term outcomes achieved in a case series (n = 56) is presented. The postoperative anthropometric findings are also presented to indicate the successful outcomes achieved with this technique...

Reconstruction of the lateral malleolus or calcaneus region is challenging because of poor vascularity, minimal presence of soft tissue, and difficulties with flap positioning during and after the operation. In many cases, local flaps are limited in terms of size, durability, and vascularity. Free tissue transfer can be useful for complicated wounds. We report here on the results of the reconstruction in this region using free thoracodorsal artery perforator flaps. Between October 2010 and October 2013, 16 cases of lateral malleolus or calcaneus defects were reconstructed using free thoracodorsal artery perforator flaps...

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

BACKGROUND: Although the efficacy of postoperative antithrombotics in free flap survival is well demonstrated through animal studies, debate remains in the clinical literature. This review estimates the benefits and risks of each antithrombotic drug and evaluates whether antithrombotics can produce better outcomes than nonantithrombotic treatment. METHODS: English-language articles evaluating the efficacy of antithrombotics in free flap surgery through comparisons with control groups were analyzed...

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to establish an algorithm for surgical reconstruction of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study MATERIALS AND METHODS: : In this series, 75 patients with diabetic foot ulceration were treated at the Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College from October 2008 to August 2013, and were retrospectively reviewed. All patients in the study underwent surgical reconstruction of the foot in the form of a skin graft, local flaps, or free flaps, depending upon the characteristic of the defect, general condition of the patient, and vascular status of the limb...

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

BACKGROUND: Many surgical techniques have been described for the treatment of pilonidal sinus, yet rates of recurrence and prolonged wound healing remain high and consensus on the optimal technique is lacking. This retrospective study evaluates outcomes of the use of the house advancement flap in the treatment of pilonidal sinus including time to wound healing, sinus recurrence, wound infection and flap necrosis. METHOD: Thirty-three consecutive patients who underwent excision and house advancement flap for pilonidal sinus, of whom seven patients (21%) had recurrent pilonidal sinus disease following previous surgical intervention, were reviewed retrospectively...

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

The adverse effects of cigarettes, due to their nicotine content, may cause important ischemic complications in flaps. Electrical stimulation increases blood flow in ischemic tissues, the level of vascular endothelial growth factor, capillary density, and angiogenesis while decreasing oxygen tension in tissues. Electrical stimulation is also known to increase survival rate in flaps. In this study, which tests the hypothesis that TENS (a type of electrical stimulation) contributes to enhancement of flap viability by eliminating the adverse effects of nicotine, 40 rats were divided into 4 groups of 10 rats...

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

Traditional incision techniques for midfoot amputation might not provide immediate soft tissue coverage of the underlying metatarsal and tarsal bones in the presence of a large plantar soft tissue defect. Patients undergoing transmetatarsal and Lisfranc amputation frequently have compromised plantar tissue in association with neuropathic ulcers, forefoot gangrene, and infection, necessitating wide resection as a part of the amputation procedure. Open amputation will routinely be performed under these circumstances, although secondary healing could be compromised owing to residual bone exposure...

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

The relationship between nutrition and wound healing--after injury or surgical intervention--has been recognized for centuries. There is no doubt that adequate carbohydrate, fat, and protein intake is required for healing to take place, but research in the laboratory has suggested that other specific nutritional interventions can have significant beneficial effects on wound healing. Successful translation into the clinical arena, however, has been rare. A review of normal metabolism as it relates to wound healing in normoglycemic and diabetic individuals is presented...

We report a case of circumferential venous leg ulcer in a rheumatoid arthritis patient. Mesh skin grafting was performed in another hospital, but the graft failed and the patient was referred to our hospital. This ulcer was treated by the combination therapy of a fenestrated-type artificial dermis with negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) and secondary mesh grafting using our 'grip tape technique'. NPWT was started at -100 mmHg and continued until the formation of dermis-like tissue. A section stained using haematoxylin and eosin and an anti-αSMA (α smooth muscle actin) immunohistological section of the biopsy from dermis-like tissue showed an abundant infiltration of fibroblasts and capillary formation beneath the fenestration of the silicone sheet...

BACKGROUND: There are a limited number of published studies describing reconstruction with an anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap following lower extremity injury in pediatric patients. The aim of this study was to present our experiences with the application of a free ALT flap not only in the reconstruction of soft tissue defects around the pediatric foot and ankle but also in patients with bone, tendon, and ligament injuries that require repair. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Reconstruction with a free ALT flap was performed in 11 pediatric patients (mean age, 8...

BACKGROUND: Lower limb allotransplantation is garnering increasing attention in the vascularized composite allotransplantation community as a potential treatment modality for those suffering from lower limb amputations. Little is known, however, about the level of interest among lower limb amputees regarding this procedure. METHODS: An online survey regarding lower limb allotransplantation was designed in conjunction with and distributed by the Amputee Coalition to lower limb amputees in the United States...

BACKGROUND: Tightly controlled wound inflammation is a central determinant of skin flap survival in healthy mice. This study investigated inflammatory response patterns in caudally pedicled skin flaps in diabetic mice during severely impaired conditions of necrotic skin flap tissue loss. METHODS: Skin flap biopsies were analysed by RNase protection assay, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunoblotting...

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

BACKGROUND: Cross-leg flaps are a good choice for reconstructing traumatized lower extremities, especially when free flaps cannot be used. In this article, we present our experience in the treatment of traumatic lower extremity wounds by using cross-leg flaps. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 56 patients suffering traumatic lower extremities were treated with cross-leg flaps. Patients with diabetes mellitus and those who were heavy smokers were also included in this study...