Reconstruction of the Tissue Defects in Extremity by Microvascular Surgery: Analysis of 138 cases

Chung, Moon Sang; Baek, Goo Hyun; Youn, Joon O; Kim, Yong Hoon; Choi, Soo Jung; Kim, Hyung Gook

Abstract

From 1981 to 1993, one hundred and thirty eight patients had been treated by free flap or island flap, for the tissue defects of the extremities. Among these 138 patients, vascularized bone graft was 29 cases, soft tissue free flap 40, replantation 22, local island flap 45, and lymphovenous shunt 2. Average age at the time of operation was 27 years(1-66 years), and men were 110, women 28. Average duration of follow-up was 2 years and 8 months(4 months-11 years and 8 months). Twenty nine cases of vascularized bone graft was consisted of fibular graft in 15 patients, ilium 8, joint transplantation 4, thumb reconstruction using big toe 1, and rib 1. Four of them were failed. Among 40 patients of soft tissue free flap, latissimus dorsi flap was 12 cases, dorsalis pedis flap 11, scapular flap 8, wraparound procedure 7 and gracilis flap 2. Seven of them were failed. The levels of replantations were both lower extremities in one patient, leg 1, arm 2, distal forearm 2, and finger(s) 16. In six patients, replantation was nor successful. Among 45 patients of local island flap, lateral supramalleolar island flap was performed in 8 patients, dorsalis pedis flap 2, Chinese flap 10, reverse ulnar artery flap 4, reverse posterior interosseous artery flap 3, neurovascular island flaps for fingers 14, and others 4. Two of them were failed. Two cases of lymphovenous shunt for the treatment of lymphedema were successful. As a whole, 119 cases were successful(86%) among 138 cases including local island flap 45 cases.