This combined anatomic and clinical study illustrates the first experiences of an osteomyocutaneous flap from the medial femoral condyle for reconstruction of composite tissue defects. We analyzed the anatomic consistency and the vascular distribution of this flap and showed that muscle tissue can easily be added as a composite flap. Twenty-one flaps were harvested from fresh adult cadavers with careful identification of the origin and the course of the three different branches of the descending genicular artery. The corresponding skin areas and muscle portion were identified. The clinical application of this flap was described for closure of complex calcaneal defects. The cadaveric study presented a constant pedicle length and diameter of the arteries, combined with a constant venous drainage. Furthermore, the medial condyle provided a corticocancellous segment and separate vascularity for skin and muscle portions. In the case reports, satisfying results of bone union and soft tissue contouring were achieved. The medial femur condyle region is a reliable donor site for composite flaps, providing a good corticocancellous bony structure and a separate skin paddle, as well as a muscle portion. Its vascular distribution shows anatomic consistency. Despite long-term atrophy of muscle transplants, we believe the additional muscle tissue improves the reconstruction results and provides better soft tissue contouring.
Isoelectric electroencephalogram in conformance with clinical findings is strongly suggestive of brain death. In clinical practice, isoelectric electroencephalogram in not-brain-dead patients is rarely seen. We report on a 53-year-old patient who suffered ischaemic encephalopathy after cardiopulmonary arrest. He had residual brainstem function with sufficient spontaneous breathing and evidence of cerebral blood flow on single photon emission computed tomography scan, but his electroencephalogram was isoelectric. He survived this condition for more than 7 weeks. This case demonstrates that isoelectric electroencephalogram can not be equated with brain death, and that in prognostic assessment both clinical findings and supportive technical methods are mandatory.
Mandibular and maxillary resections can produce complex three-dimensional defects requiring skeletal, soft tissue, and epithelial reconstruction. The subscapular vascular axis offers a source of skin, bone, and muscle on a single pedicle for microvascular flap transfer. We reviewed four cases where the subscapular vascular pedicle was used as a source of tissue for complex facial reconstructions in maxillofacial defects. Reconstruction of these complex defects was performed with a latissimus dorsi muscle or myocutaneous flap in combination with the lateral border of the scapula, harvested on the angular branch of the thoracodorsal vessels. There were three cases of maxillectomy and one case of partial mandibulectomy for malignant tumors. In each case, the angular branch of the thoracodorsal artery supplied 6 to 8 cm of the lateral border of the scapula and a latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap was used for soft tissue reconstruction. Follow-up ranged from 9 months to 3 years and in all cases there was successful bony union. Shoulder movement was normal. This series encourages the further use of subscapular axis flaps as flexible sources of combined myocutaneous and osseous flaps on a single vascular pedicle in cases of complex maxillofacial reconstruction.
Pressure sores in geriatric patients represent a challenge for all disciplines involved in the treatment process; however, the prerequisite for successful treatment is the elaboration of an interdisciplinary treatment concept. The treatment goals should be adapted to the individual needs of the patients including the life situation, general condition and local findings. In addition to general basic operative techniques, such as wound cleansing and conditioning, plastic and reconstructive surgery provides a wide range of highly specialized operative techniques for the treatment of these patients by which a definitive defect coverage can be achieved. The aim of this article is to raise awareness for these complex and highly specialized procedures for all disciplines participating in the treatment in order to improve the interdisciplinary cooperation and ultimately the quality of treatment.
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