Microsurgery
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Much has been learned over the past several decades regarding thrombophilic conditions. Thrombotic complications, such as deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolus, myocardial infarction, and stroke, are sometimes attributed to a diagnosable thrombophilia. Less has been written with regard to their effect on reconstructive outcomes. ⋯ When this does occur, salvage can be difficult and outcome can be compromised. It is imperative that microsurgeons be knowledgeable of both major and minor thrombogenic conditions to optimize intraoperative outcome and postoperative care. We present a case of a failed free flap for lower extremity reconstruction associated with hyperhomocysteinemia in conjunction with markedly elevated Factor VIII levels.
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Case Reports
Repairs of complex groin wounds with contralateral rectus abdominis myocutaneous flaps.
Management of complex groin wounds posterior to complications of vascular prosthetic surgery, malignant tumor excision, and irradiation therapy for recurrent cancers continued to pose a difficult task in reconstructive surgery. Pedicled and microsurgical myocutaneous flaps are valuable tools for wound repairs, but applications of these flaps are limited when the healthy vascular vessels are not available around the wound. ⋯ All the flaps were completely survived and the wounds healed uneventfully. The results suggest that the contralateral myocutaneous flap can be used for the repair of the groin wound with presence of significant comorbidities in the area, in which the ipsilateral local flaps and microsurgical flaps are not available.
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Combined compression of both the common peroneal nerve and the proximal tibial nerve at the level of the popliteal fossa is rare. Recently, an anatomic site of compression of the proximal tibial nerve at the soleal sling (originating arch for the soleus muscle) has been described in cadavers. ⋯ Neurolysis of both nerves resulted in restoration of motor and sensory function in each of these three patients. This is the first clinical report illustrating combined neurolysis of the common peroneal at the knee and the proximal tibial nerve in the soleal sling.
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The purpose of this study is to describe the harvesting technique, anatomic variations, and clinical applications of a compound flap from the great toe and vascularized joint from the second toe used for thumb reconstruction. Five fresh cadaver dissections were studied, focusing attention on the dorsal or plantar vascular dominance, position of the communicating branch between the dorsal and plantar system, the Gilbert classification, and the size of the first dorsal metatarsal artery (FDMA) and first plantar metatarsal artery (FPMA) to the great toe and second toe. Five compound flaps were performed on five patients with traumatic thumb amputation at the level of proximal metacarpal bone. ⋯ It can be used for amputation of the thumb at carpometacarpal joint level. Finally, the compound flap maintains growth potential in children through transfer of vascularized epiphyses. The disadvantages of this compound flap include a technically challenging harvest and a longer operative time.
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Case Reports
Face resurfacing using a cervicothoracic skin flap prefabricated by lateral thigh fascial flap and tissue expander.
Resurfacing of facial massive soft tissue defect is a formidable challenge because of the unique character of the region and the limitation of well-matched donor site. In this report, we introduce a technique for using the prefabricated cervicothoracic skin flap for facial resurfacing, in an attempt to meet the principle of flap selection in face reconstructive surgery for matching the color and texture, large dimension, and thinner thickness (MLT) of the recipient. ⋯ MLT is the principle for flap selection in resurfacing of the massive facial soft tissue defect. Our experience in this series of patients demonstrated that the prefabricated cervicothoracic skin flap could be a reliable alternative tool for resurfacing of massive facial soft tissue defects. (c) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. Microsurgery, 2009.