Does the advantage of transcutaneous oximetry measurements in diabetic foot ulcer apply equally to free flap reconstruction?

BACKGROUND Transcutaneous oxygen pressure(TcpO2)is a precise method for determining oxygen perfusion in wounded tissues.The device uses either electrochemical or optical sensors.AIM To evaluate the usefulness of TcpO2 measurements on free flaps(FFs)in diabetic foot ulcers(DFUs).METHODS TcpO2 was measured in 17 patients with DFUs who underwent anterolateral thigh(ALT)-FF surgery and compared with 30 patients with DFU without FF surgery.RESULTS Significant differences were observed in the ankle-brachial index;duration of diabetes;and haemoglobin,creatinine,and C-reactive protein levels between the two groups.TcpO2 values were similar between two groups except on postoperative days 30 and 60 when the values in the ALT-FF group remained<30 mmHg and did not increase>50 mmHg.CONCLUSION Even if the flap is clinically stable,sympathectomy due to adventitia stripping during anastomosis and arteriovenous shunt progression due to diabetic polyneuropathy could lead to low TcpO2 values in the ALT-FF owing to its thick fat tissues,which is supported by the slow recovery of the sympathetic tone following FF.Therefore,TcpO2 measurements in patients with DFU who underwent FF reconstruction may be less accurate than in those who did not.

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.

Reconstruction surgery in head and neck cancer patients amidst the COVID-19 pandemic:Current practice and lessons for the future

The coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic has imposed a radical change in daily life and work routine.In this context,health systems have suffered important and serious repercussions in all fields.Among the changes brought about by the state of global health emergency,adjustments to guidelines,priorities,structures,professional teams,and epidemiological data stand out.In light of this,the oncological field has witnessed several changes in the approach to cancer,whether due to delay in diagnosis,screening deficit,personnel shortage or the psychological impact that the pandemic has had on cancer patients.This article focuses on the management of oral carcinoma and the surgical approaches that oral and maxillofacial specialists have had at their disposal during the health emergency.In this period,the oral and maxillofacial surgeons have faced many obstacles.The proximity of maxillofacial structures to the airways,the need of elective and punctual procedures in cancerous lesions,the aggressiveness of head and neck tumors,and the need for important healthcare costs to support such delicate surgeries are examples of some of the challenges imposed for this field.One of the possible surgical'solutions'to the difficulties in managing surgical cases of oral carcinoma during the pandemic is locoregional flaps,which in the pre-COVID-19 era were less used than free flaps.However,during the health emergency,its use has been widely reassessed.This setback may represent a precedent for opening up new reflections.In the course of a long-term pandemic,a reassessment of the validity of different medical and surgical therapeutic approaches should be considered.Finally,given that the pandemic has highlighted vulnerabilities and shortcomings in a number of ways,including the issues of essential resource shortages,underinvestment in public health services,lack of coordination and versatility among politicians,policymakers and health leaders,resulting in overloaded health systems,rapid case development,and high mortality,a more careful analysis of the changes needed in different health systems to satisfactorily face future emergencies is essential to be carried out.This should be directed especially towards improving the management of health systems,their coordination as well as reviewing related practices,even in the surgical field.

Anterolateral thigh free flap for simultaneous reconstruction of digital extensor tendon and defect of the dorsal hand： A case report

This paper describes a new technique in the repair of the hand defect with digital extensor tendon injury. The anterolateral thigh flap with the thick femoral fascia has been used in the reconstruction of the composite defect of the dorsal hand, especially the defect of tendon. This technique requires short period of treatment and hence causes less damage to the donor site but shows a better recovery of the hand function. A favorable curative effect has been obtained in this patient.

A totally laparoscopic peritoneal free flap for reconstruction of hand

Management of defects on the hand and foot with exposed tendons remains a major challenge for plastic surgeons. Here, we present a case of hand reconstruction with a totally laparoscopic peritoneal flap. The anterior rectus sheath was preserved in situ. The peritoneal free flap supplied by peritoneal branches of the deep inferior epigastric artery was retrieved by laparoscopy to cover the soft tissue defect of the hand. The defect of the dorsal hand was 17 cm × 12 cm. The peritoneal flap measuring 22 cm × 15 cm survived completely without any complications. A following split-thickness skin graft offered the suc- cessful wound closure. Motor and sensory function improved gradually within the first year follow-up. The totally laparoscopic peritoneal free flap is a good choice for reconstruction of the soft tissue de- fects accompanied by exposed tendons on the hand and foot.