Geriatric Patients with Free Flap Reconstruction: A Comparative Clinical Analysis of 256 Cases

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (02) ◽  
pp. 127-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthias Wähmann ◽  
Melodie Wähmann ◽  
Dominic Henn ◽  
Lingyun Xiong ◽  
Christoph Hirche ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soft Tissue ◽  
Surgical Complications ◽  
Geriatric Patients ◽  
Free Tissue Transfer ◽  
Free Flaps ◽  
Old Patients ◽  
Very Old ◽  
Patients Âgés ◽  
Tissue Transfer ◽  
Very Old Patients

Abstract Background In elderly patients, complex soft tissue defects are increasingly observed due to the prolonged life expectancy and accompanying comorbidities. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether free tissue transfer is safe in very old patients without additional risk and complications. Methods All patients older than 65 years undergoing free tissue transfer between November 2007 and September 2016 were reviewed in a retrospective study. Two cohorts were compared regarding perioperative morbidity and postoperative outcome (cohort 1 [old patients, ages 65–79]; cohort 2 [very old patients, ages ≥ 80]). Results In total, 256 patients were included in the study (cohort 1 [n = 217]; cohort 2 [n = 39]). Overall, 262 free flaps were performed due to a second microsurgical reconstruction in six cases. No statistically significant differences between cohorts were observed regarding surgical complications, total flap losses, and mortality. Detailed evaluation of cohort 2 revealed a significant learning curve during the observation period regarding the perioperative management and procedure of soft tissue reconstruction: operation length as well as postoperative intensive care unit stay decreased significantly over time (p < 0.05) and also surgical complications showed a positive trend (p = 0.07). We ascertained a shift toward a “more reliable” flap selection from predominantly anterolateral thigh flap) to axial flaps such as rectus abdominis and latissimus dorsi flaps. Conclusion Our study showed that age is not associated with an increased risk of postoperative complications. Reliable muscle free flaps, two-stage procedures, and safe vascular supply are important strategic aspects to achieve microvascular tissue transfer with high success rates in geriatric patients.

Neurotized Free Tissue Transfer for Foot Reconstruction: A Systematic Review

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (01) ◽  
pp. 032-040 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacob R. Rinkinen ◽  
Shawn Diamond ◽  
Jonathan Lans ◽  
Curtis L. Cetrulo ◽  
Kyle R. Eberlin
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Soft Tissue ◽  
Activities Of Daily Living ◽  
Free Flap ◽  
Daily Living ◽  
Free Tissue Transfer ◽  
Free Flaps ◽  
Ulcer Formation ◽  
Soft Tissue Reconstruction ◽  
Tissue Transfer

Background Soft tissue reconstruction of the foot represents a complex reconstructive challenge given the unique anatomical properties of the glabrous plantar skin. For large soft tissue defects and/or complex injuries, free tissue transfer is often the optimal reconstructive modality. The decision to pursue a neurotized free flap remains controversial and an area of debate. Given the trend toward increasing use of neurotized free flaps, we performed a systematic review to determine if nerve coaptation is a beneficial adjunct to free tissue transfer. Methods A systematic search of the English literature using PubMed and Web of Science was performed. Studies were identified between 1985 and 2018. Manuscripts were eligible if they contained original clinical outcomes research of patients who underwent free tissue transfer to the foot or heel with neurotization. Results A total of 189 studies were identified with initial screening and 19 studies were included in our analysis. A total of 175 patients underwent free flap reconstruction to the foot; of these, 107 patients had a nerve coaptation performed. Patients who underwent neurotization had improved sensory characteristics (two-point discrimination, light touch, and pain sensation), quicker return to ambulation and activities of daily living, and decreased ulcer formation compared with those who did not. Overall complications were infrequent, with ulceration being the most common. Conclusion Neurotized free flaps appear to have an overall decreased rate of ulceration, improved sensory discrimination, and quicker return to ambulation/activities of daily living in comparison to nonneurotized free flaps. However, when examining free anterolateral thigh (ALT) and free medial plantar artery (MPA) fasciocutaneous flaps, durability (i.e., frequency of ulcer formation) and functionality (ambulation and return to activities of daily living) do not appear to be significantly different between neurotized and nonneurotized flaps.

scholarly journals Free Tissue Transfer in Pediatric Lower Limb Trauma

2019 ◽  
Vol 52 (01) ◽  
pp. 037-044 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Srikanth
Keyword(s):  
Soft Tissue ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Free Tissue Transfer ◽  
Free Flaps ◽  
Large Series ◽  
Soft Tissue Coverage ◽  
Wound Coverage ◽  
Tissue Transfer ◽  
Limb Trauma ◽  
Lower Limb Trauma

AbstractFree tissue transfer has become the standard in wound coverage and further refinements have given us newer flap donor sites or modifications of existing flaps to decrease morbidity; smaller vessels are being anastomosed, a direct spin-off following successful distal replantations. Younger children are presenting with traumatic defects similar to adults. Although there were apprehensions of free tissue transfer in children occasioned by smaller vessels, duration of procedure and concerns of growth following flap harvest, reports of small and large series have appeared in the literature with similar success. Pediatric-free tissue transfer is now an established entity. This article seeks to arrive at a consensus based on a review of the existing literature on free flaps for skin and soft-tissue coverage of lower limb trauma in children.

scholarly journals Free Tissue Transfer in Pressure Ulcer Reconstruction: A Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 06 (01) ◽  
pp. e35-e39
Author(s):  
Chelsi Robertson ◽  
Charles Patterson ◽  
Hugo St. Hilaire ◽  
Frank H. Lau
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
English Language ◽  
Free Tissue Transfer ◽  
Free Flaps ◽  
Final Analysis ◽  
The United States ◽  
Local Flap ◽  
Recurrence Rates ◽  
Tissue Transfer ◽  
Cochrane Database

Abstract Background Pressure ulcers (PUs) affect 2.5 million people in the United States annually and incur health-care costs of 11 billion dollars annually. Stage III/IV PU often require local flap reconstruction. Unfortunately, PU recurrence is common following reconstruction; recurrence rates as high as 82% have been reported. When local flap options are inadequate, free tissue transfer may be indicated but the indications have yet to be delineated. To develop evidence-based guidelines for the use of free flaps in PU reconstruction, we performed a systematic review. Methods A systematic review of the available English-language, peer-reviewed literature was conducted using PubMed/MEDLINE, Google Scholar, Scopus, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Articles were manually reviewed for relevance. Results Out of 272 articles identified, 10 articles were included in the final analysis. Overall, this systematic review suggests that free-flap PU reconstruction yields fewer recurrences compared with local flaps (0–20 vs. 13–82%). Further, several types of free flaps for PU reconstruction were identified in this review, along with their indications. Conclusion Free tissue transfer should be considered for recurrent PU. We offer specific recommendations for their use in PU reconstruction.

scholarly journals Real-world long-term outcomes based on three therapeutic strategies in very old patients with three-vessel disease

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Deshan Yuan ◽  
Sida Jia ◽  
Ce Zhang ◽  
Lin Jiang ◽  
Lianjun Xu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Real World ◽  
Cardiac Death ◽  
Artery Bypass ◽  
Therapeutic Strategies ◽  
Old Patients ◽  
Very Old ◽  
Vessel Disease ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Very Old Patients

Abstract Background There are relatively limited data regarding real-world outcomes in very old patients with three-vessel disease (3VD) receiving different therapeutic strategies. This study aimed to perform analysis of long-term clinical outcomes of medical therapy (MT), coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in this population. Methods We included 711 patients aged ≥ 75 years from a prospective cohort of patients with 3VD. Consecutive enrollment of these patients began from April 2004 to February 2011 at Fu Wai Hospital. Patients were categorized into three groups (MT, n = 296; CABG, n = 129; PCI, n = 286) on the basis of different treatment strategies. Results During a median follow-up of 7.25 years, 262 deaths and 354 major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) occurred. Multivariate Cox analysis showed that the risk of cardiac death was significantly lower for CABG compared with PCI (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] = 0.475, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.232–0.974, P = 0.042). Additionally, MACCE appeared to show a trend towards a better outcome for CABG (adjusted HR = 0.759, 95% CI 0.536–1.074, P = 0.119). Furthermore, CABG was significantly superior in terms of unplanned revascularization (adjusted HR = 0.279, 95% CI 0.079–0.982, P = 0.047) and myocardial infarction (adjusted HR = 0.196, 95% CI 0.043–0.892, P = 0.035). No significant difference in all-cause death between CABG and PCI was observed. MT had a higher risk of cardiac death than PCI (adjusted HR = 1.636, 95% CI 1.092–2.449, P = 0.017). Subgroup analysis showed that there was a significant interaction between treatment strategy (PCI vs. CABG) and sex for MACCE (P = 0.026), with a lower risk in men for CABG compared with that of PCI, but not in women. Conclusions CABG can be performed with reasonable results in very old patients with 3VD. Sex should be taken into consideration in therapeutic decision-making in this population.

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