No abstract

Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy promotes wound healing in patients with ischemic disease; however, HBO-induced changes in skin peripheral circulation have not been evaluated in clinical practice. Here, we investigated these changes in patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI), with a focus on the angiosome of crural blood vessels with blood flow improved by endovascular therapy (EVT). Six patients with CLI and ulcers who were treated with HBO after EVT (7 limbs; 1 patient had ulcers in the bilateral limbs) and 3 healthy subjects (6 limbs) were enrolled. HBO therapy was performed at 2 atm under 100% oxygen for 90 min per session. Skin perfusion pressure (SPP) was measured in the dorsum and sole of the foot 1 hour before (pre-SPP) and after (post-SPP) HBO therapy. ΔSPP was calculated as post-SPP minus pre-SPP. SPP measurement regions were divided into those that did (direct region) and did not (indirect region) correspond to the vascular angiosome in which angiography findings of the crus were improved after EVT; i.e., when the anterior tibial artery was effectively treated with EVT, the dorsum was the direct region and the sole was the indirect region, and vice versa when the posterior tibial artery was treated. In the direct, indirect, and healthy subject groups, the ΔSPPs were 20.5±8.7 (p=0.002), –6.4±10.9, and –15.1±18.1 (p=0.014), respectively; that of the direct group was significantly greater than that of the other groups. These results suggest that short-term improvement of the peripheral circulation by HBO therapy was significant in patients with successful revascularization.

Arteriovenous access ischaemic steal is a serious complication following arteriovenous fistula (AVF) construction. The aim of treatment is to improve distal circulation without impairing the function of the fistula. Therefore, any repair should be performed with intraoperative monitoring. We report 2 cases of this disorder treated using perioperative measurement of skin perfusion pressure (SPP) for preoperative surgical planning and intraoperative guidance. A 73-year-old woman with a left cubital AVF developed gangrene of the tip of the left little finger. Arteriovenous access ischaemic steal was suspected. The SPP of the little finger was 18 mm Hg, which increased to 65 mm Hg after manual occlusion of the fistula. A 58-year-old woman with a left antebrachial AVF had gangrene of the tip of the left middle finger. The SPP was 19 mm Hg, and steal syndrome was suspected based on angiography and the SPP with manual occlusion of the fistula. In both cases, serial plication of the fistula was performed based on intraoperative perfusion pressure monitoring, leading to the successful resolution of the ischaemic steal syndrome. In both cases, haemodialysis could be continued through the repaired fistula.

BackgroundVarious methods for monitoring after free flap surgery have been reported in the literature. Among them, pulse oximetry shows a sensitive reaction to vascular issues, and it is easy to interpret visually. However, previous reports used special equipment that was less commonly used and difficult to generalize. In this study, we used a commercial pulse oximeter and a widely used bedside patient monitor to monitor transplanted free tissue and lower extremities of healthy subjects with impaired circulation. MethodsA reflectance pulse oximeter sensor was attached on the flap after free tissue transplantation. The sensor was connected to a bedside patient monitor, and the flap oxygen saturation (SpO 2 ) levels and arterial waveforms were continuously monitored. Additionally, blood circulation disorder was induced in the lower limbs of healthy volunteers using pressure cuff inflation on the thigh, and the waveform and SpO 2 levels on the pulse oximeter attached to the lower leg were monitored. ResultsTwenty-two patients were included in this study. No postoperative vascular issues were observed in any case. Pulse oximeters showed normal rhythmic wavelengths, and the flap SpO 2 level ranged approximately >90%. The pulse oximeter waveform rapidly disappeared during arterial occlusion in the thigh pressure cuff inflation test, and the waveform flattened and the SpO 2 level decreased slightly during venous congestion. ConclusionFlap monitoring using a commercially available pulse oximeter and a bedside patient monitor is a versatile, easy-to-interpret, and useful method. Changes in waveform and SpO 2 levels appear during arterial and venous circulation disorders, and these changes can be differentiated.

Summary: Carbon ion radiotherapy (CIRT) has been used for malignant tumors that are difficult to excise surgically, such as sacral chordoma, and the success of its outcomes is attributable to the high dose concentration and biological effects. CIRT has produced successful clinical outcomes, and it is considered to have fewer adverse effects on surrounding normal tissues; moreover, complications have been rarely reported. We describe a 75-year-old woman with a full-thickness sacral defect, who had received CIRT for sacral chordoma 3 years earlier. Computed tomography showed sacral bone destruction, and a colonoscopy revealed rectal necrosis. Rectectomy in addition to sacral bone resection was necessary, which resulted in a huge sacral defect of slightly anxious viability. We performed reconstruction of the sacral defect by using pedicled vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous (VRAM) flap, obliterating sacral defects and intrapelvic dead space that occurred after rectectomy. Six months after surgery, the wound had healed well, and no complication was observed. Sacral complications after CIRT may affect surrounding normal tissues such as the rectum, and it would be difficult to reconstruct the resulting complications. The vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap is considered useful for the simultaneous obliteration of sacral defects and intrapelvic dead space after CIRT.

Summary: Rectus abdominalis musculocutaneous (RAM) flaps have numerous uses in the treatment of large defects. However, flap harvesting can result in abdominal wall incisional hernia and bulge, which are challenging problems. Most of these problems occur below the arcuate line abdominal wall. However, there will be differences that are unique to each patient in the area of hernia or bulge. The open approach repair appears to be used most often, but the precise area of hernia and bulge is often not distinguished. This report describes a case that was treated using a new repair method, which had the clear advantage of allowing the precise area of abdominal wall weakness to be recognized. A 53-year-old man underwent left vertical RAM flap for reconstruction after tongue carcinoma resection. Six months after the operation, lower abdominal wall hernia and bulge were observed. Open laparoscopic-assisted repair was performed. Pneumoperitoneum led to distension of the abdominal cavity and outward stretching of the abdominal wall, so that the area of hernia and bulge protruded to a great degree. In this phase, by making the operating room slightly dark, the area became more clearly recognizable. When direct plication of the hernia and bulging area was required, the contralateral component separation technique was performed. This study describes an inventive repair procedure for abdominal wall hernia or bulge after RAM flap, with the combined advantages of open and laparoscopic repair.