Pre-expanded Muscle-sparing Latissimus Dorsi Flaps for Reconstruction of Severe Scar Contractures on the Anterior Chest

Objective To investigate the utility of pre-expanded muscle-sparing latissimus dorsi flaps in the reconstruction of deformities secondary to severe scar contractures on the anterior chest.Methods The function of the latissimus dorsi was preserved with blood supply from the main or lateral branch of the thoracodorsal artery.The entire treatment period was divided into two stages,during which segmental latissimus dorsi flaps were pre-expanded in stage I and anterior chest scar deformities were reconstructed in stage II.During stage I,the musculocutaneous perforators arising from the lateral branch of the thoracodorsal artery were determined by ultrasound preoperatively;the flap design included the anterior segment of the latissimus dorsi supplied by the musculocutaneous perforators from the lateral branch;and a tissue expander was placed following flap dissection and then infused with saline intermittently for 4–6 months.In stage II,the chest scars were excised,and breast tissues were repositioned;the continuity of the medial branch of the thoracodorsal nerve to the muscle was preserved when reconstruction was performed using the segmental latissimus dorsi flaps supplied by the main or lateral branch of the thoracodorsal artery.Results From October 2010 to October 2019,21 patients(on 24 sides)underwent reconstructive procedures for extensive scar contractures on the anterior chest.All flaps survived,and their donor sites were sutured directly.During a follow-up of 3 months to 8 years,the flaps became soft and exhibited color similar to that of the adjacent tissues.The limited neck and shoulder movements improved,and postoperatively,all female patients were satisfied with the shape of their breasts.Additionally,neither apparent weakening on the adduction,internal rotation,or extension strength of the shoulder joint on the affected side nor marked depression deformity in the back was observed.Conclusion Pre-expanded muscle-sparing latissimus dorsi flaps with blood supply from the main or lateral branch of the thoracodorsal artery proved to be a desirable option for the reconstruction of extensive scar contractures on the anterior chest.

Surgical Outcomes Following Partial Breast Reconstruction with Chest Wall Perforator Flaps

Introduction: In the last two decades, chest wall perforator flaps (CWPF) have become a versatile tissue replacement technique for partial breast reconstruction following breast-conserving surgery (BCS) in well-selected cases. We present the surgical outcome of 81 patients with chest wall perforator flaps used for breast-conserving surgery. Methods: We recorded the outcomes of three oncoplastic breast surgeons who performed partial breast reconstruction with chest wall perforator flaps from 1st January 2018 to 30th June 2022 at Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Data were collected on patient demographics, including age, BMI, smoking status, bra size, previous treatments, type of CWPF procedure, tumor size (measured clinically, via imaging and histologically), biopsy results, specimen weight, margins involvement, re-operation rate, surgical site infection (SSI), flap loss, flap shrinkage, hematoma, and seroma rates. Results: A total of 81 patients were included in this study, with an average age of 55.7 years and a body mass index (BMI) of 26.7 kg/m2. The bra size varied between A to FF with A (7.4%), B (28.3%), C (38.2%), D (13.6%), DD (11.1%), and FF (1.2%). 14.8% of the patients had neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT). For 45 patients, LICAP (lateral intercostal artery perforator), 16 AICAP (anterior intercostal artery perforator), 13 MICAP (medial intercostal artery perforator), and for seven patients, LTAP (lateral thoracic artery perforator) flaps were used. The average tumor was measured at 15.75 mm clinically, 19.1 mm via imaging, and 19.6 mm histologically. Biopsy showed that 16% of the tumors were ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), and 84% were invasive. 16% of patients had involved margins, and re-excision was required in 10 patients, and completion mastectomy was performed in 2 patients. A thirty-day SSI rate was 6.2%, with flap-related complications, including flap loss and shrinkage, at 3.7% and 4.9%, respectively. In addition, 3.7% had a hematoma, and 17.3% had other complications. Conclusion: Partial breast reconstruction with perforator flaps is an excellent volume replacement technique in breast-conserving surgery with acceptable complications in well-selected cases.

Handy locoregional flaps for nasal reconstruction

Background Skin lesions on the nose are common.Multiple surgical techniques have been used for nasal reconstruction.These options may be autogenous or alloplastic and can be performed in single or multiple stages.The choice of coverage depends on the nature of the lesion,location on the nose,and available donor sites.This study aimed to evaluate the surgical outcomes of using locoregional flaps for nasal reconstruction.Methods A total of 27 patients underwent surgery.There were 9 men and 18 women,aged 7 months to 93 years.Four patients presented with involuting hemangioma,five patients with ischemic necrosis of the columella,and five patients with congenital nevus;the remaining 13 patients were previously diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma.Six techniques have been described for nasal reconstruction at our institution from 2016 to 2020.Most patients had basal cell carcinoma(n=13).Locoregional flaps and primary sutures were used for nasal reconstruction.Results The complications were minimal.One patient had a superficial infection and one experienced postoperative bleeding.No recurrence was observed,and none of the patients asked for a second opinion.Conclusion Radical excision of tumors combined with analysis of nasal defects and nearby donor sites is essential for nasal reconstruction.The use of locoregional flaps leads to consistent and good aesthetic outcomes.

Influence of Flap Parameters on the Aerodynamic Performance of a Wind-Turbine Airfoil

A numerical method has been used to analyze the flow field related to a NACA 0015 airfoil with and without a flap and assess the influence of the flap height and angle on the surface pressure coefficient,lift coefficient,and drag coefficient.The numerical results demonstrate that the flap can effectively improve the lift coefficient of the airfoil;however,at small attack angles,its influence is significantly reduced.When the angle of attack exceeds the critical stall angle and the flap height is 1.5%of the chord length,the influence of the flap becomes very evident.As the flap height increases,the starting point of the separation vortex gradually moves forward and generates a larger wake vortex.Optimal aerodynamic characteristics are obtained for 1.5%(of the chord length)flap height and a 45°flap angle;in this case,the separation vortex is effectively reduced.

Impact of Blade-Flapping Vibration on Aerodynamic Characteristics of Wind Turbines under Yaw Conditions

Although the aerodynamic loading of wind turbine blades under various conditions has been widely studied,the radial distribution of load along the blade under various yaw conditions and with blade flapping phenomena is poorly understood.This study aims to investigate the effects of second-order flapwise vibration on the mean and fluctuation characteristics of the torque and axial thrust of wind turbines under yaw conditions using computational fluid dynamics(CFD).In the CFD model,the blades are segmented radially to comprehensively analyze the distribution patterns of torque,axial load,and tangential load.The following results are obtained.(i)After applying flapwise vibration,the torque and axial thrust of wind turbines decrease in relation to those of the rigid model,with significantly increased fluctuations.(ii)Flapwise vibration causes the blades to reciprocate along the axial direction,altering the local angle of attack and velocity of the blades relative to the incoming wind flow.This results in the contraction of the torque region from a circular shape to a complex“gear”shape,which is accompanied by evident oscillations.(iii)Compared to the tangential load,the axial load on the blades is more sensitive to flapwise vibration although both exhibit significantly enhanced fluctuations.This study not only reveals the impact of flapwise vibration on wind turbine blade performance,including the reduction of torque and axial thrust and increased operational fluctuations,but also clarifies the radial distribution patterns of blade aerodynamic characteristics,which is of great significance for optimizing wind turbine blade design and reducing fatigue risks.

Management of Square Carcinoma of the Lower Lip Using Camille-Bernard Flap under Local Anesthesia: When Constraints Dictate Our Attitude

Introduction: Squamous cell carcinomas of the lip essentially pose a therapeutic management problem. In the West, their treatment is done under general anesthesia and follows the classic rules of oncology. In our context of exercise, we sometimes have a different attitude dictated by various constraints. Observation: 55-year-old patient with no notable history, seen in consultation for a very large ulcerative-budding lesion on the right 2/3 of the lower lip with mucocutaneous involvement without lymph node findings found on examination. Faced with this suspicious lesion and the patient’s financial difficulties, we decided to operate under local anesthesia to remove this tumor. The oncological excision was followed by immediate plasty using a Camille-Bernard flap with a good immediate aesthetic and functional result and postoperative day 7. The patient was unable to take his surgical specimen to anatomy-pathology and was lost to follow-up due to lack of financial resources. On anatomo-pathological analysis of the surgical specimen, the margins were healthy with confirmation of squamous cell carcinoma (anapathological reading made for scientific interest). Discussion: The particular mentality of certain patients and their difficult financial conditions push us to have an unconventional therapeutic attitude in oncology, but which nevertheless makes it possible to resolve certain problems that we often face. Local anesthesia is possible and realistic in cases like ours and the results can be acceptable and life-saving.

Pedicled abdominal flap using deep inferior epigastric artery perforators for forearm reconstruction: A case report

BACKGROUND Pedicled abdominal flaps are a widely used surgical technique for forearm reconstruction in patients with soft tissue defects.However,some drawbacks include restricted flap size,partial flap loss,and donor-site morbidity.To address these concerns,we present a case of a pedicled abdominal flap using the deep inferior epigastric artery perforators(DIEP)for forearm reconstruction in a patient with a large soft tissue defect.CASE SUMMARY A 46-year-old male patient was admitted to our hospital with forearm injury caused by a pressing machine.A 15 cm×10 cm soft tissue defect with complete rupture of the ulnar side structures of the forearm was found.One week after orthopedic management of the neurovascular injury and fractures using the first stage of Masquelet technique,the patient was referred to the plastic and recon-structive surgery department for wound coverage.Surgical debridement and negative-pressure wound therapy revealed a 20 cm×15 cm soft tissue defect.A pedicle abdominal flap with the DIEP was used to cover the defect.Three weeks later,the flap was detached from the abdomen,and the abdominal defect was directly closed.Subsequently,the second stage of Masquelet technique was performed at the fracture site at week 10.Finally,all donor and recipient sites healed without complications,such as flap dehiscence,infection,hematoma,or necrosis.Fracture site osteosynthesis was achieved without complications.CONCLUSION Pedicled abdominal flap using the DIEP provides a reliable option for forearm reconstruction in patients with large soft tissue defects.

Thrust Optimization of Flapping Wing via Gradient Descent Technologies

The current work aims at employing a gradient descent algorithm for optimizing the thrust of a flapping wing. An in-house solver has been employed, along with mesh movement methodologies to capture the dynamics of flow around the airfoil. An efficient framework for implementing the coupled solver and optimization in a multicore environment has been implemented for the generation of optimized solutionsmaximizing thrust performance & computational speed.

Sternocleidomastoid flap for reconstruction of tongue small cell carcinoma: A case report

BACKGROUND The management of tongue carcinoma is excision and radical neck dissection followed with reconstruction.This is a case report of a patient with tongue squamous cell carcinoma(SCC)who underwent the procedure with sternocleidomastoid(SCM)flap reconstruction.CASE SUMMARY A 52-year-old woman without smoking history complained tongue ulcer since 3 years ago.Based on the histopathological examination,the patient was diagnosed with T2N2M0 right tongue SCC and underwent wide excision of tumor;right mandibular;neck dissection and were reconstructed with SCM flap.CONCLUSION SCC of the tongue requires wide excision and dissection of the neck and mandible if infiltration into the surrounding lymph nodes has been found.The SCM flap reconstruction could be used post-surgery.

Oral and maxillofacial-head and neck reconstruction with soft tissue free flaps of 41 cases: A single team's experience

Objective To retrospectively review the single team's experience of oral and maxillofacialhead and neck reconstruction involving 41 soft tissue free flap procedures.Methods From 1994 to 2012,41 patients who underwent oral and maxillofacial-head and neck soft tissue free flap reconstruction at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head and Neck Surgical Oncology,Hospital and College of Stomatology,Xi'an Jiaotong University,were reviewed with clinicopathologic data.Results The 41 patients included 24 men and 17 women with a mean age of 54 years.A total of 41 soft tissue free flaps were performed to reconstruct different anatomical structures in the head and neck region including oral mucosa,facial bone,head and neck skin.Two types of soft tissue free flaps were used to reconstruct surgical defects,including radial forearm flap and latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap.Radial forearm flaps were used for 37cases and latissimus dorsi-myocutaneous flaps were 4 cases.Of 41 cases,39 were successful,with an overall success rate of 95.1%.There were 2 free flap failures,including one radial forearm flap and one latissimus dorsi-myocutaneous flap(partial flap necrosis);hence,the flap success rates for radial forearm flap and latissimus dorsimyocutaneous were,respectively,97.3% and 87.5%.Conclusions Radial forearm flap and latissimus dorsi-myocutaneous flap are reliable soft tissue free flaps to repair oral and maxillofacial-head and neck area with high success rate,which resulted in good functionally and cosmetically with fewer complications both donor and recipient sites.

宽带W波段Flaps天线仿真与设计

设计了一种结合了"十"字和圆环的新型宽带W波段Flaps(Flat Parabolic Surface antenna)天线单元。相比于传统的单层Flaps天线单元,新型单元能获得更宽的相位范围且相移精度更高,能有效拓展天线的带宽。利用这种单元设计了94 GHz的单层Flaps天线,仿真结果显示了较好的带宽性能和方向性,中心频率处增益18.2 dBi,在10.6%的带宽内增益下降小于1 dB,实现了较好的宽带性能,为单层W波段Flaps天线的设计提供了一种新途径。

Distally based perforator sural flaps for foot and ankle reconstruction

Distally based perforator sural flaps from the posterolateral or posteromedial lower leg aspect are initially a neurofasciocutaneous flap that can be transferred reversely to the foot and ankle region with no need to harvest and sacrifice the deep major artery. These flaps are supplied by a perforating artery issued from the deep peroneal artery or the posterior tibial artery, and the chainlinked adipofascial neurovascular axis around the sural/saphenous nerve. It is a versatile and reliable technique for soft-tissue reconstruction of the heel and ankle region with 180-degrees rotation. In this paper, we present its developing history, vascular basis, surgical techniques including flap design and elevation, flap variations in pedicle and component, surgical indications, and illustrative case reports with different perforating vessels as pivot points for foot and ankle coverage.

Omental flaps reduces complications after pancreaticoduodenectomy

BACKGROUND： Major complications after pancreaticoduo- denectomy are usually caused by a leaking pancreaticojejunal anastomosis. Omental flaps around various anastomoses were used to prevent the formation of fistula.

Sensory reinnervation of free flaps in reconstruction of the breast and the upper and lower extremities

There is long-standing debate about sensate versus non-sensate free microvascular flaps among microsurgeons. The principle of connecting not only the vascular supply, but also sensitive nerves, in free tissue transfer is attractive. However, increased operating time and partial spontaneous innervation led to the common decision to restrict microsurgical tissue transfer to the vascular anastomosis and to leave the nerves ＂untreated＂. Nevertheless, in special cases such as breast reconstruction or extremity reconstruction, the question about sensory nerve coaptation of the flaps remains open. We present our experience with free microvascular tissue transfer for breast and extremity reconstruction and compare the data with previous literature and conclude that most free flap surgeries do not benefit from nerve coaptation.

New advances in the mesenchymal stem cells therapy against skin flaps necrosis

Mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs), multipotential cells that reside within the bone marrow, can be induced to differentiate into various cells, such as osteoblasts, adipocytes, chondrocytes, vascular endothelial progenitor cells, and other cell types. MSCs are being widely studied as potential cell therapy agents due to their angiogenic properties, which have been well established by in vitro and in vivo researches. Within this context, MSCs therapy appears to hold substantial promise, particularly in the treatment of conditions involving skin grafts, pedicle flaps, as well as free flaps described in literatures. The purpose of this review is to report the new advances and mechanisms underlying MSCs therapy against skin flaps necrosis.

Free Flow-through Anterolateral Thigh Flaps for Wrist High-tension Electrical Burns:A Retrospective Case Series

Objective The objective of this report was to demonstrate the clinical application of free flow-through anterolateral thigh flaps for the treatment of high-tension electrical wrist burns.Methods We collected the data of 8 patients with high-tension electrical wrist burns admitted to Beijing Jishuitan Hospital from January 2014 to December 2018.The clinical and pathological data were extracted from electronic hospital medical records.We obtained follow-up information through clinic visits.Results The injury sites for all 8 patients were the wrists,specifically 5 right and 3 left wrists,all of which were on the flexor side.Five patients had ulnar artery embolism necrosis and patency,with injury to the radial artery.Two patients had ulnar and radial arterial embolization and necrosis.The last patient had ulnar arterial embolization and necrosis with a normal radial artery.After debridement,the wound area ranged from 12 cm×9 cm to 25 cm×16 cm.The diagnoses for the eight patients were type II to type III high-tension electrical wrist burns.Free flow-through anterolateral thigh flaps(combined with great saphenous vein transplantation if necessary)were used to repair the wounds.The prognosis for all patients was good after six months to one year of follow-up.Conclusion Treating wrist types II and III high-tension electrical burns is still challenging in clinical practice.The use of free flow-through anterolateral thigh flaps(combined with great saphenous vein transplantation if necessary)to repair the wound and to restore the blood supply for the hand at the same time is a good choice for treating severe wrist electrical burns.

Extensive full-thickness eyelid reconstruction with rotation flaps through "subcutaneous tunnel" and palatal mucosal grafts

· AIM: To reconstruct the extensive full-thickness defects of eyelids is a challenge for the plastic surgeon because of their complex anatomy and special functions.This article presents and discusses an improved surgical technique in which the orbicularis oculi myocutaneous flap is rotated through a "subcutaneous tunnel" in conjunction with a palatal mucosal graft employed for lining.·METHODS: Data from 22 eyes with extensive full-thickness eyelid defects from various causes between2009 and 2013 were analyzed in this study. After the different layers of eyelid were separated completely, a temporally based orbicularis oculi myocutaneous flap was designed following fishtail lines and was mobilized,leaving the base of the pedicle intact with a submuscular tissue attachment. The flap was then rotated through a "subcutaneous tunnel" to the defect, and the donor site was closed primarily. Posterior lamellar reconstruction was performed with a mucosal graft harvested from the hard palate.·RESULTS: All the flaps were survived without any healing problems. There was no corneal irritation, flap contraction, or significant donor-site morbidity in the follow-up period. The incision scars were almost invisible.The defects were repaired completely, and the evaluations showed satisfactory function and appearance.·CONCLUSION: This technique is an improved singlestage operation and can be applied to repair large, full-thickness eyelid defects from various causes. With our method, the functional and aesthetic results can be obtained in either the upper or lower eyelids.

Autologous sclera-muscle flaps technique in evisceration with hydroxyapatite implantation

·AIM: To provide superior cosmetic results and reduce complications, unlike traditional evisceration coupled with implant insertion technique and its modifications,we have developed a novel and simple technique for anophthalmic patients.·METHODS: All patients who underwent the scleral-muscle flaps procedure in evisceration with the placement of hydroxyapatite implant were included in the study. Main outcome measures were complications such as exposure, infection, chemosis, conjunctival inclusion cysts, granulomas. Meanwhile, implant motility was indirectly measured and the results were collected and analyzed.· RESULTS: A total of twenty-eight patients were enrolled in the study. Eighteen were men(64.29%) and ten were women(35.71%). Ages ranged from 18 to 65y(mean age, 32 years old). Mean follow-up was 12.32mo(range, 9-16mo). All patients received a hydroxyapatite implant. The average diameter of the implant was 19.29 ±1.36 mm(range, 18-22 mm). Minor complications occurred in 3 patients, and a major complication was observed in 1 patient. Mean motility were 11.04 ±1.45 mm horizontally(range, 7-14 mm) and 8.57 ±1.50 mm vertically(range, 5-12 mm).·CONCLUSION: The sclera-muscle flaps technique in evisceration with hydroxyapatite implantation is simple and practical that eases the surgical procedure, enables a proper size hydroxyapatite implantation, distinctively reduces complications and provides superior surgery results, especially the motility of the implant.

Numerical Analysis of Influence of Gurney Flaps Applied to Wind Turbines

The effect of Gurney flaps with different heights on the S809 airfoil and NH1500 blade is numerically simulated.The influence of the Gurney flap is analyzed at different wind speeds and the comparison of the aerodynamic performance is given between the blades with and without the Gurney flap.The results demonstrate that a Gurney flap added on the blade can greatly increase the efficiency of the wind turbine especially at high wind speeds.

Sternal Reconstruction of Deep Sternal Wound Infections Following Median Sternotomy by Single-stage Muscle Flaps Transposition

Objective To assess clinical effectiveness of using bilateral pectoralis major or plus rectus abdominis muscle flaps in treating deep sternal wound infection(DSWI) following median sternotomy. Methods Between January 2009 and December 2013, 19 patients with DSWI after median sternotomy for cardiac surgery were admitted to our hospital, including 14 males(73.7%) and 5 females(26.3%), aged 55±13(18-78) years. According to the Pairolero classification of infected median sternotomies, 3(15.8%) patients were type II, and the other 16(84.2%) were type III. Surgical procedure consisted of adequate debridement of infected sternum, costal cartilage, granulation, steel wires, suture residues and other foreign substances. Sternal reconstruction used the bilateral pectoralis major or plus rectus abdominis muscle flaps to obliterate dead space. The drainage tubes were placed and connected to a negative pressure generator for adequate drainage. Results There were no intraoperative deaths. In 15 patients(78.9%), bilateral pectoral muscle flaps were mobilized sufficiently to cover and stabilize the defect created by wound debridement. 4 patients(21.0%) needed bilateral pectoral muscle flaps plus rectus abdominis muscle flaps because their pectoralis major muscle flaps could not reach the lowest portion of the wound. 2 patients(10.5%) presented with subcutaneous infection, and 3 patients(15.8%) had hematoma. They recovered following local debridement and medication. 17 patients(89.5%) were examined at follow-up 12 months later, all healed and having stable sternum. No patients showed infection recurrence during the follow-up period over 12 months. Conclusion DSWI following median sternotomy may be effectively managed with adequate debridement of infected tissues and reconstruction with bilateral pectoralis major muscle or plus rectus abdominis muscle flap transposition.