Saint‐Cyr, Michel

Background: Secondary lymphedema can be a lifelong and debilitating consequence of lower extremity oncologic resection and reconstruction. The goal of this study was to identify risk factors for the development of lymphedema in patients treated for thigh sarcoma. Methods: A retrospective review analyzed all patients who underwent thigh sarcoma resection and reconstruction by a plastic surgeon at the Mayo Clinic between 1997 and 2014. Patient demographics, tumor characteristics, surgical management, adjunctive therapies, and complications of patients who did and did not develop postoperative lymphedema were compared. Results: A total of 148 patients were identified. Twelve percent of patients developed lymphedema postoperatively during an average follow-up of 26 months. Risk factors for the development of lymphedema included defect location in the medial thigh ( P = 0.04), arterial resection ( P = 0.001), arterial reconstruction ( P = 0.027), and a history of cardiac disease ( P = 0.03). Twenty-two percent of patients who developed lymphedema also experienced wound dehiscence compared with 4.6% of patients without lymphedema ( P = 0.02). There were no differences in age, body mass index, smoking, history of deep venous thrombosis or venous stasis, wound dimensions, or type of reconstruction performed in patients with and without lymphedema. Conclusions: Lymphedema is common following major oncologic resection. Preexisting cardiac disease, tumor location in the medial thigh, and arterial resection and reconstruction were associated with a higher risk of postoperative lymphedema. Noninfectious wound dehiscence may be secondary to lymphedema or represent an early indicator of patients who will ultimately develop lymphedema.

Background: Foam-mediated external suction (FMES) has previously shown to improve tissue microcirculation. We hypothesized that preconditioning fasciocutaneous perforator flaps with FMES would augment perfusion and demonstrate greater capillary recruitment. Methods: Gluteal perforator flaps were designed on sixteen 400 g rats. Continuous FMES at −125 mm Hg was applied on one side (intervention) to precondition tissue for 5 days, with the contralateral side as a paired control. In group A, we assessed changes following pretreatment, after surgery, and 7 days postprocedure, and in group B, we evaluated changes during preconditioning alone. In group A (N = 8), control and intervention flaps were assessed using laser-assisted indocyanine green fluorescence angiography. In group B, flap regions were assessed using 4-dimensional computed tomographic angiography. All flaps were analyzed for microvessel density using micro–computed tomography and histological assessment using hematoxylin and eosin and CD3 immunohistochemistry. Results: Thirty-two flaps were included in this study (N = 16 intervention and matched controls). Four-dimensional computed tomographic angiography demonstrated 17% greater tissue perfusion in preconditioned flaps (mean, 78.7 HU; SD, 8.8) versus controls (mean, 67.3 HU; SD, 15.7; P < 0.01). Laser-assisted indocyanine green fluorescence angiography showed a 30% higher mean absolute intensity in preconditioned flaps versus controls (P < 0.01). Postsurgery mean absolute intensity in preconditioned flaps remained 21% higher than in controls (P = 0.03). Preconditioned flaps demonstrated a 2-fold increase in mean vessel volume of 9.1 mm3 (SD, 7) versus 4.5 mm3 (SD, 3) in controls (P = 0.04); there was a 33% higher mean area fraction of CD31 in preconditioned flaps, 3.9% (SD, 3) versus 2.9% (SD, 3) in controls (P = 0.03). Conclusion: FMES preconditioning has the potential to augment vascularity of tissue for flap harvest; however, further experimental studies are required to optimize strategies and evaluate long-term effects for clinical applications.

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesStandard treatment for extremity sarcoma is limb‐sparing surgery often with radiation, but complications occur frequently. We sought to determine factors predictive of wound complications after thigh sarcoma resection and reconstruction while analyzing trends over time.MethodsWe reviewed all thigh defects requiring plastic surgeon reconstruction following sarcoma resection at our institution from 1997 to 2014. Patient demographics, comorbidities, operative characteristics, multi‐modality therapies, and complications were analyzed. Wound complications were: infection, dehiscence, seroma, hematoma, or partial/total flap loss.ResultsThere were 159 thigh reconstructions followed for 30 months on average. Eighty‐seven percent of patients underwent radiation and 42% had chemotherapy. Almost half (49.1%) had a complication. The most common wound complication was surgical site infection (23.3%) followed by dehiscence (19.5%), and seroma (10.7%). Less common were partial (2.5%) or total flap loss (0.6%). Reoperation was required in 21 patients (13.2%). Tobacco use, older patient age, cardiac disease, and higher body mass index were independently associated with wound complications. Complications trended towards decreasing over time, but this was not statistically significant.ConclusionsTobacco use, cardiac disease, and higher body mass index, but not the timing of reconstruction, appear to increase the risk of wound complications after thigh soft tissue sarcomas resection and plastic surgery reconstruction.

Background: The superficial femoral artery and medial thigh region has been an underused donor site for perforator flaps. This study evaluated perforasomes of the superficial femoral artery and its principal branches to review the clinical applications for locoregional reconstruction. Methods: Twenty-six fresh cadaveric lower extremities were dissected. Perforator size and anatomical course from the superficial femoral artery, descending genicular artery, and saphenous artery branch were documented. Perforators were selectively injected with iodinated contrast to assess vascular territories using computed tomography. A retrospective chart review was conducted on consecutive patients (2014 to 2015). Results: One hundred thirty perforators were mapped in the medial thigh region. Eleven extended medial thigh perforator flaps and 15 hemicircumferential flaps were harvested. The mean distance from the joint line was 16.7 ± 7.3 cm. Perforators arose from the superficial femoral artery (62 percent), saphenous artery branch (23 percent), and descending genicular artery (15 percent). Superficial femoral artery perforators were located around the mid and proximal thigh region (p < 0.001). The median perforasome surface area was 244 cm2, representing 36 percent in hemithigh flaps with preferential filling in the anteromedial region. Proximal perforasomes were the smallest. Perforasome areas based on vessel origin were comparable; however, saphenous artery perforators had a broader perforasome compared with descending genicular (p = 0.01) and superficial femoral artery perforators (p = 0.04). Six clinical case examples were presented for knee, thigh, and lower leg reconstruction. Conclusions: The superficial femoral artery or its branches can provide nontraditional reconstructive perforator flap options in regional reconstruction. They can be simple to harvest using a free-style approach, do not require preoperative imaging, offer a one-stage reconstructive method with low morbidity, and obviate the need for microsurgery or muscle flaps.

Summary: Advances in microsurgical instruments and techniques have allowed for introduction of lymphaticovenous anastomosis as a potential surgical treatment for patients with upper and lower extremity lymphedema. This article reviews the approach to lymphaticovenous anastomosis patient selection and technical modifications that improve the ease and efficiency of the procedure.

Summary: We report a case of a young double-hand allotransplant patient who presented with a full-thickness skin necrosis of the dorsum of the left hand after vascular compromise of the allotransplantation. Considering the lack of viable dorsal tissue overlying the extensor tendons and the need for early hand rehabilitation, an ultrathin pedicled groin flap was used for the coverage. This procedure resulted in salvaging the allotransplantation, and the patient was able to successfully return to work after his surgery. To our knowledge, this is the only case of an upper extremity allotransplant salvaged by a pedicled flap.

BackgroundMicrosurgical free flaps for reconstruction of soft tissue defects in lower extremity have evolved into a reliable procedure over last decades; however, there lacked high level of evidence.MethodsA systematic literature research was performed including studies between 2000 and 2014 in English, German, and Chinese (PubMed, EMBASE). Publications were selected applying inclusion/exclusion criteria. Postoperative complications were statistically analyzed with metaprop command of R GUI 3.0.1.ResultsAlltogether 30 articles overlooking 1,397 free flaps were included. The rate of total flap loss was 6.0% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 4.0%–8.0%, PQ (P values of Q statistics) = 0.03); the thrombosis rate was 6.0% (95% CI = 4.0%–9.0%, PQ = 0.01); the hematoma rate was 4.0% (95% CI = 3.0%–5.0%, PQ = 0.79); the partial necrosis rate was 6.0% (95% CI = 4.0%–10.0%, PQ < 0.01); the early infection rate was 4.0% (95% CI = 2.0%–6.0%, PQ = 0.03), and the dehiscence rate was 3.0% (95% CI = 2.0%–5.0%, PQ = 0.12). Reconstruction for diabetic foot may be not associated with a significant increase of procedural risk (Total flap loss rate = 6%, 95% CI = 3.0%–9.0%, PQ = 0.44).ConclusionsMicrosurgical reconstruction of soft tissue defects in the lower extremity reconstruction could be regarded safe and reliable. A standardization of report of perioperative parameters and clinical outcomes is needed. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 36:511–524, 2016.