Trapezius fasciocutaneous flap for burn reconstruction

This case involves a 30-year-old female who suffered extensive facial burns as an outcome of a horrific assault. The patient subsequently underwent 2 surgeries with the ultimate goal of reducing the cosmetic, physical, and thus mental burden the assault caused. The technique of choice was the novel trapezius fasciocutaneous flap for burn reconstruction of the neck. It is discussed that while this technique is still deemed a novel procedure, its unique characteristics make it an excellent choice for cases similar to this one. While this approach has not been widely popularized in the treatment of patients with burn contracture requiring reconstruction, the donor site characteristics and ideal functionality make the trapezius fasciocutaneous flap such an excellent choice. This particular type of graft yields a hidden donor site, contains rich vascularity with physical qualities similar to those of facial skin, specifically in regard to thickness, color, and texture, and ultimately produces the most ideal cometic outcome. Further, the wide arc of rotation unique to this flap allows for better manipulation and mobility at the transplanted location. While the anatomic implications are very relevant to head and neck surgery, this method also produces exemplary cosmetic outcomes when compared to other graft procedures.

Hind-Foot Synovial Sarcoma Treated With Wide Resection and Sural Fasciocutaneous Flap – A Case Report

Synovial sarcoma comprises about 5% to 10% of soft tissue sarcomas. Initial growth is often slow and a small circumscribed tumour may misleadingly appear to a benign lesion by clinical examination and imaging, occurring in up to 50% of cases. The modalities of treatment of foot malignant conditions depend on histological diagnosis and staging. A radical surgical procedure in the distal region of the lower limb is often difficult due to a limited soft-tissue situation and can result in soft-tissue defects. Plastic surgical techniques remain particularly indispensable in the treatment of such distal tumors. Authors present a hindfoot synovial sarcoma, diagnosed with a incisional biopsy, in which a wide margin surgery was achieved and a limb salvage was permitted by a sural fasciocutaneous flap.

Closure of large lumbosacral defect using a combined method of bilateral bipedicle flap with lateral releasing incision and Integra® dermal regeneration template

BACKGROUND: Myelomeningocele is one of the most complex congenital malformations of the central nervous system. It is one of the most common types of spina bifida which involves a failure of neural tube closure. Reconstruction surgery for myelomeningocele had always been challenging for plastic and neurosurgeons. CLINICAL CASE: We report a case of a new-born with lumbosacral myelomeningocele who received treatment in the Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia. The myelomeningocele was repaired by the neurosurgery team and subsequently, the child was left with huge lumbosacral skin defect. The large defect was successfully covered by using a combined method of bilateral bipedicle flap with lateral releasing incision and remaining lumbosacral and secondary defect resurfaced using Integra dermal regeneration template (DRT). We used ACTICOAT interfaced negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) as our main dressing in preparing the wound bed for autologous epidermal graft. The result of our closure technique provides tension free closure. DISCUSSION: We incorporated bilateral bipedicle fasciocutaneous flap technique together with DRT for closure of the lumbosacral defect. The bilateral bipedicle flap with lateral releasing incision served to reduce tension on the skin at bilateral lumbar region. The DRT downsized the lumbosacral defect and NPWT dressing provided an optimal sterile environment in giving time for neodermis generation. The remaining secondary defect were also resurfaced utilizing DRT and autologous skin grafting. CONCLUSIONS: The outcome of surgery demonstrated that the combined use of bilateral bipedicle fasciocutaneous flap with lateral releasing incision and DRT with delayed skin grafting is safe, effective and provide long term stable and supple scar for large, exposed dura defect.

Preference for Fasciocutaneous Flap Over Musculocutaneous Flap as a First-Line Option for Ischial Pressure Wound Reconstruction: A Review of 64 Cases

The ischial pressure wound usually comprises a large, extensive defect and involves the repair of more than a small opening. Most surgeons have used a musculocutaneous flap to fill the large dead space of an ischial pressure wound. However, sacrificing muscle tissue has a potential risk of postoperative bleeding. The transferred muscle ultimately loses function as a cushion to absorb pressure. Conservation of muscle structures may be beneficial for use in future recurrence, which is common with ischial pressure wound. We compared the difference in outcome between musculocutaneous and fasciocutaneous flaps and analyzed factors affecting complications with the flaps in ischial pressure wound reconstruction. This study reviewed the results of 64 flaps in 44 patients with ischial wounds. The wounds were reconstructed with 34 musculocutaneous flaps (53%) and 30 fasciocutaneous flaps (47%). Twenty-three cases (36%) had complete healing, and 41 (64%) had complications. There was no significant difference in outcomes between fasciocutaneous and musculocutaneous flap groups. Crude logistic regression analysis showed no significant risk factors for occurrence of major complications. When fasciocutaneous flaps were used, the neighboring perforators and muscle tissues could be conserved. With a perforator-based fasciocutaneous flap, a de-epithelized distal portion of the flap could be used to fill the dead space. Therefore, the fasciocutaneous flap may have priority over the musculocutaneous flap as a first-line option for ischial pressure wound reconstruction.