V-Y advancement flap based on the double perforators of the posterior tibial artery for reconstruction of small-area tissue defect in the achilles tendon

Abstract

Objective To explore the clinical effect of complete transposition of arteriovenous in free flap artery crisis. Methods From October, 2009 to April, 2017, 13 cases of extremities tissue defect were repaired with free flaps. The intractable arterial crisis appeared after transplantation. Repeated anastomosis vessels were adapted but it was not relieved. Then the complete transposition of arteriovenous was adapted in the flaps. Namely the vein of the flap was anastomosed with the arterial in the recipient site to reconstruct the blood supply, and the arterial of the flap was anastomosed with the vein in the recipient site to reconstruct recirculation. Ten cases of hand defect and 3 cases of crus defect were repaired by 5 low abdominal flaps and 8 anterolateral thigh flaps. The tissue defect area was 16 cm×7 cm-6 cm×4 cm and the flap area was 18 cm×8 cm-7 cm×4 cm. Results Ten flaps survived completely, the other 3 flaps almost survived that scab healed in 1 case and skin grafted in 2 cases. The flap for skin color was from purple red to dark red, and finally close to normal, and skin flap edge would have different degrees of ecchymosis; the bleeding from the incision of the skin flap was from dark red to bright red; the swelling of the flap was obvious in the early stage and the later swelling subsided. All cases were followed-up from 6 months to 32 months with an average of 16 months. The wounds healed well. The flaps had a clear boundary and soft texture. Conclusion Complete transposition of the arteriovenous system can be used as an alternative in the presence of intractable arterial crisis after free flap transplantation, to save the flap and to reduce the trauma to the patient. Key words: Free flaps; Arterial crisis; Transposition of the arteriovenous; Repair