Salvage of vascular graft infections via vacuum sealing drainage and rectus femoris muscle flap transposition: A case report

BACKGROUND The management of vascular graft infections continues to be a significant challenge in a clinical situation.The aim of this report is to illustrate the novel vacuum sealing drainage(VSD)technique and rectus femoris muscle flap transposition for vascular graft infections,and to evaluate the prospective of future testing of this surgical procedure.CASE SUMMARY We report the case of a 32-year-old male patient,who presented a severe infected groin wound with biological vascular graft Acinetobacter baumannii infection resulting in extensive graft exposure.Using the VSD and muscle flap transposition,the groin wound and vascular graft infection were finally treated successfully.CONCLUSION Our case report highlights that VSD technique and rectus femoris muscle flap transposition could be considered in patients presenting with a severe infected groin wound with biological vascular graft Acinetobacter baumannii infection resulting in extensive graft exposure,especially in consideration of treatable conditions.

Minimally invasive open reduction of greater tuberosity fractures by a modified suture bridge procedure

BACKGROUND Most greater tuberosity fractures can be treated without surgery but some have a poor prognosis.The surgical procedures for avulsion fractures of the humeral greater tuberosity include screw fixation,suture anchor fixation,and plate fixation,all of which have treatment-associated complications.To decrease surgical complications,we used a modified suture bridge procedure under direct vision and a minimally invasive small incision to fix fractures of the greater tuberosity of the humerus.AIM To investigate the clinical efficacy and outcomes of minimally invasive modified suture bridge open reduction of greater tuberosity evulsion fractures.METHODS Sixteen patients diagnosed between January 2016 and January 2019 with an avulsion-type greater tuberosity fracture of the proximal humerus and treated by minimally invasive open reduction and modified suture bridges with anchors were studied retrospectively.All were followed up by clinical examination and radiographs at 3 and 6 wk,3,6 and 12 mo after surgery,and thereafter every 6 mo.Outcomes were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively by a visual analog scale(VAS),the University of California Los Angeles(UCLA)shoulder score,the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeon score(ASES),and range of motion(ROM)for shoulders.RESULTS Seven men and nine women,with an average age of 44.94 years,were evaluated.The time between injury and surgery was 1-2 d,with an average of 1.75 d.The mean operation time was 103.1±7.23 min.All patients achieved bone union within 3 mo after surgery.VAS scores were significantly decreased(P=0.002),and the mean degrees of forward elevation(P=0.047),mean degrees of abduction(P=0.035),ASES score(P=0.092)were increased at 3 wk.The UCLA score was increased at 6 wk(P=0.029)after surgery.The average degrees of external rotation and internal rotation both improved at 3 mo after surgery(P=0.012 and P=0.007,respectively).No procedure-related deaths or incision-related superficial or deep tissue infections occurred.CONCLUSION Modified suture bridge was effective for the treatment of greater tuberosity evulsion fractures,was easier to perform,and had fewer implants than other procedures.

Pedicle complex tissue flap transfer for reconstruction of duplicated thumbs with unequal size

BACKGROUND Thumb polydactyly is one of the most common congenital hand deformities,and the Bilhaut-Cloquet procedure or a modified one is often used.However,controversy remains over the rare instances in which both thumbs are not of similar length or far apart in distance.AIM To evaluate the clinical outcomes of pedicle complex tissue flap transfer in the treatment of duplicated thumbs with unequal size.METHODS From January 2014 to December 2020,15 patients underwent duplicated thumb reconstruction by pedicle complex tissue flap transfer at our hand surgery center.The technique was used when it was necessary to combine different tissues from both severed and preserved thumbs that were not of similar length or far apart in distance.Subjective parents’evaluations and functional outcomes(ALURRA and TATA criteria)were obtained.The alignment deviation,instability,range of motion(percent of opposite thumb)of the interphalangeal and metacarpophalangeal joints,and the aesthetic aspects,including circumference,length,nail size,and nail deformity,were used to assess the clinical outcomes.RESULTS The average age of patients at the time of surgery was 13 mo,and the mean final follow-up occurred at 42 mo.An appropriate volume with a stable joint and good appearance was obtained in 14 reconstructed thumbs.An unstable interphalangeal joint occurred in one thumb.The flexion-extension arc at the metacarpophalangeal joint was good,while that at the interphalangeal joint was poor.Most of the parents were satisfied with the cosmetic and functional results of the reconstructed thumbs.The mean ALURRA score was 21.8(range:20-24),and the Tada score was 6.9(range:5-8).Compared with the non-operated side,the length of the operated thumb was approximately 95%,the girth was 89%,and the nail width was 82.9%.The mean ranges of motion were 62.1%of that of the unaffected thumb in the interphalangeal joint and 78.3%in the metacarpophalangeal joint.CONCLUSION Harvesting a pedicle flap from a severed thumb is a safe and reliable procedure.Defects of the preserved thumb,such as the skin,nail,and bone,can be effectively restored using the complex tissue flap.