Microvascular cover in the lower limbIndications and timing, flap types, and technique

Providing adequate and timely soft tissue cover is essential in the treatment of injuries to the lower extremity. Microvascular free tissue transfer is a part of the algorithm of treatment. Free flaps provide the desired quantity and quality of well-vascularized tissue from numerous potential donor sites all over the body, tailored to each specific defect. Microvascular surgery allows single-stage reconstruction of composite defects and is best done early, where possible in the first 24 hours or failing this, during the first week after injury. Free tissue transfer is a complex interdisciplinary procedure and can fail in up to 5% of cases. It is not appropriate for all patients. Free muscle, or musculocutaneous, flaps are ideal for coverage of diaphyseal defects whereas free fasciocutaneous flaps are better for coverage of metaphyseal defects. Perforator free flaps experience little donor site morbidity.

Comparison of ischemic preconditioning and BotulinumA Toxin injection for the prevention of ischemia-reperfusion injury in musculocutaneous flaps

Background/aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the protective effect of Botulinum A toxin injection against ischemia-reperfusion injury.Materials and methods: Thirty-two Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into: control, ischemia-reperfusion, ischemic preconditioning, and botulinum groups. In all groups the musculocutaneous pedicle flap was occluded for 4 h, and then reperfused to induce ischemia-reperfusion injury. Serum and tissue myeloperoxidase (MPO) and nitric oxide (NO) levels were measured at 24 h and at 10 days.Results: Tissue MPO levels did not differ significantly between the ischemic preconditioning and botulinum groups at 24 h but was significantly lower in the botulinum group at 10 days. Tissue NO levels were significantly higher in the ischemic preconditioning group compared to the botulinum group at 24 h and at 10 days. Serum MPO showed no significant difference between these two groups at 24 h but was significantly lower in the ischemic preconditioning group compared to the botulinum group at 10 days. Serum NO levels were not significantly different at 24 h but significantly higher in the botulinum group at 10 days.Conclusion: Findings show that botulinum has a protective effect against the ischemia-reperfusion injury via increased NO and decreased MPO levels in tissue. Based on tissue NO levels, ischemic preconditioning was significantly higher than botulinum.

Comparison of Ischemic Preconditioning and Systemic Piracetam for Prevention of Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Musculocutaneous Flaps

Background Ischemia-reperfusion injury plays an important role in flap failure. Ischemic preconditioning technique is the only proven method for preventing ischemia-reperfusion injury, but it is not used widely in daily practice because of difficulties such as prolonging the operation time, need for surgical experience, and increasing the risk of complications. This study has been performed with the assumption that piracetam may be a simple and inexpensive alternative to the preconditioning technique due to its antioxidant, antiaggregant, rheological, anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic, cytoprotective, and immune modulating effects. Methods Thirty-two rats were divided into four groups and latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flaps were raised. No extra procedure was applied, and no treatment was given to the control group. Four hours of ischemia was created by clamping the thoracodorsal pedicle in the second group. The animals in the third group were treated with 10 minutes of ischemia and reperfusion periods as a preconditioning procedure before the 4 hours of ischemia. Animals in the fourth group received systemic piracetam 30 minutes before and 6 days after reperfusion. Nitric oxide and myeloperoxidase levels in serum and tissue, acute inflammatory cell response, and vascular proliferation in tissue were examined at the postoperative 24th hour and 10th day. Results Myeloperoxidase activity in both preconditioning and piracetam groups, was significantly lower than the ischemia-reperfusion group. Acute inflammatory cell response was similarly decreased in both preconditioning and piracetam groups compared with ischemia-reperfusion group. Tissue measurements of nitric oxide were also significantly higher in both preconditioning and piracetam groups than in the ischemia-reperfusion group. However, vascular proliferation increased in the preconditioning group, while it did not show any significant change in the piracetam group. Conclusion This study shows that systemic piracetam treatment provides protection against ischemia-reperfusion injury in musculocutaneous flaps and can offer a simple and inexpensive alternative to the preconditioning technique.

Conventional and variant origin of the transverse cervical artery in a select kenyan population

Data from previous studies have highlighted on the use of transverse cervical artery (TCA) flaps as posterior neck musculocutaneous flaps in reconstructive surgeries. General preference of flap selection relies heavily on the neurovascular supply of the flap in question and even though known, the transverse cervical artery has been shown to vary among populations, therefore affecting its use as a potential flap. Additionally, variant points of origin of the trans-cervical artery have been shown to predispose to brachial plexus compression. Our data on the same, however, remains partly elucidated and therefore a study aimed at describing the conventional and variant origin of the TCA in a Kenyan population would aid in deciding on its use as musculocutaneous flaps and determining the possible prevalence of brachial plexus compression because of its variant origin. The origin of the transverse cervical artery was studied bilaterally in 26 adult Kenyan cadavers in the Department of Human Anatomy, University of Nairobi. As regards their origin, the different types were photographed and grouped into five: Types I to V relative to its origin. The data collected was then analysed using SPSS version 21 and findings presented as percentages. The findings were presented in a bar graph and pie chart. The TCA was present in all the 26 cadavers studied. Type I origin of the TCA was the most common (71.15%) while type V was the least (1.92%). While type I origin occurred mostly on the left limbs, the other types were more prevalent on the right side. The significant variant origin of the TCA and its resultant aberrant course should be important considerations during the planning of posterior neck musculocutaneous flaps as well as in understanding brachial plexus compression associated with its variant origin. Key Words: Anatomy, Transverse cervical artery.

Long-Term Effects on Volume Change in Musculocutaneous Flaps after Head and Neck Reconstruction

Objective Musculocutaneous flap reconstruction surgery is one of the standard procedures following head and neck cancer resection. However, no previous studies have classified flaps in terms of muscle and fat or examined them after long-term follow-up. The purpose of this study was to estimate the fat and muscle volume changes in musculocutaneous flaps during long-term follow-up. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of 35 patients after musculocutaneous flap reconstruction. The total, fat, and muscle volumes of the musculocutaneous flaps were measured using 3-dimensional images. Changes in flap volumes over time (1 month, 1 year [POY1], and 5 years [POY5] postoperatively) were assessed. Flap persistence was calculated using flap volumes at 1 month after reconstruction for reference. Results Flap persistence at POY5 was 42.0% in total, 64.1% in fat, and 25.4% in muscle. Muscle persistence was significantly decreased (p < 0.0001). In a multiple regression analysis, decreased body mass index (BMI) of ≥ 5% influenced fat persistence less than muscle persistence at POY1; however, there was no significant difference at POY5. Postoperative radiation therapy was associated with a significant decrease in total flap persistence at POY1 (p = 0.046) and POY5 (p = 0.0097). Muscle persistence significantly decreased at POY5 (p = 0.0108). Age significantly influenced muscle volume at POY1 (p = 0.0072). Conclusion Reconstruction flaps are well-preserved with high fat-to-muscle ratios. Recommendations for weight maintenance are necessary for patients less than 2 years after surgery due to the influence of BMI on fat persistence. Radiation therapy is necessary for some patients based on their disease state. Intensity-modulated radiation therapy can be offered to reduce scattering irradiation to normal tissues.