Perforator-Based Intercostal Artery Muscle Flap: A Novel Approach for the Treatment of Tracheoesophageal or Bronchoesophageal Fistulas

International audienceSUMMARY: Postoperative tracheoesophageal or bronchoesophageal fistulas represent a major surgical challenge. The authors report the description of an original perforator-based intercostal artery muscle flap, aiming to cover all types of intrathoracic fistulas, from any location, in difficult cases such as postoperative fistulas after esophagectomy in an irradiated field. Between June of 2016 and January of 2019, eight male patients were treated with a perforator-based intercostal artery muscle flap. All had previous surgery for esophageal cancer and developed a tracheoesophageal or bronchoesophageal fistula during the perioperative course. The mean patient age was 55.9 ± 8.8 years. All patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy and seven received neoadjuvant radiation therapy. A perforator-based intercostal artery muscle flap, with a mean skin paddle size of 9.86 × 5 cm, was harvested. The median operative time was 426.50 minutes. The tracheoesophageal or bronchoesophageal fistula was successfully and definitively occluded in three patients; two patients experienced recurrence; and one patient underwent re operation. At 1 year, five patients were alive (62.5 percent), and among them, three (37.5 percent) were free from any intrathoracic complications. Three patients died, because of massive digestive bleeding, mesenteric ischemia, and multiorgan failure, respectively. The perforator-based intercostal artery muscle flap, like the Taylor flap in abdominoperineal reconstruction, could become a workhorse flap for all intrathoracic reconstructions, as it can always be harvested, even if a previous thoracotomy has ruined most of the options. This surgical technique, easily feasible, reliable, and reproducible, became our first option for all postoperative tracheoesophageal or bronchoesophageal fistula patients during the postoperative course following esophagectomy. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV

Superior epigastric artery perforator flap for reconstruction of deep sternal wound infection

National audienceBackground The treatment of deep wound sternal infection requires loco-regional pedicled flaps, usually with muscular flaps. Perforator propeller flaps represent the ultimate progress in the history of reconstructive surgery. We report here our experience with the superior epigastric artery perforator (SEAP) flaps to repair sternal defect. Patients and methods Six patients presenting deep sternal wounds infection were treated with SEAP propeller flap, between March 2015 and June 2017. The mean age was 71.5 (range 53-83) years. The mean length and width of the defect were 16.2 x 7 cm (ranging 8-20 x 4-10). An elliptical skin flap pedicled on the SEAP was harvested in the inframammary fold and rotated up to 90 degrees to cover the defect. Results All SEAP flaps achieved a successful entire coverage of the defect. The mean size of the skin paddle of the flap was 20.2 x 7.3 cm (ranging 14-27 x 6-9). All flaps were able to provide a complete sternal wound cover. Venous congestion was present in five cases and adequately treated by leech therapy; necrosis was distal in one case, and interesting the entire superficial flap in two cases but with deep tissues remaining viable and able to cover the mediastinum: an infected flap required revision. Satisfyingly, at 2-years postoperative follow-up all-patients were alive with a successful mediastinal cover. Conclusions The SEAP Perforator propeller flap is an alternative to muscle flaps to achieve treatment of deep and large sternal wound infection

Outcomes and Reliability of Perforator Flaps in the Reconstruction of Hidradenitis Suppurativa Defects: A Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis

International audienceIntroduction: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a common and debilitating disease, in which the only effective treatment involves a wide excision of the affected skin. Secondary wound healing and skin grafting are two well-known options for managing these defects, but perforator flaps provide a new therapeutic alternative by ensuring reconstructions of large defects, reducing donor site morbidity, and enhancing functional recovery. The aim of this study was to achieve a systematic review of perforator flaps use in HS. Patients and Methods: PubMed and Cochrane databases were searched from 1989 to 2021. The PRISMA statement was used in the study selection process and the review was registered on PROSPERO. Furthermore, patient characteristics, operative technique, complications, and recurrences were searched. Results: Thirty-six articles were selected including 286 patients and 387 flaps. Axillary localization was mostly represented (83.2%). Direct donor site closure was achieved in 99.1% of cases. In total, 15.1% of the flaps presented at least one of the following complications: wound dehiscence (5.5%), partial necrosis (2.9%), hematoma or seroma (2.1%), infection (2.1%), venous congestion (1.8%), and nerve injury (0.3%). Two cases of total necrosis were recorded. Recurrence of the disease was observed in 2.7% of the defects. Conclusions: Pedicled perforator flaps are a reliable and reproducible technique in the reconstruction of HS defects. They are associated with a low recurrence rate while ensuring an effective reconstruction with reduced morbidity and faster recovery compared to the techniques classically used in this indication

Gluteal Propeller Perforator Flaps: A Paradigm Shift in Abdominoperineal Amputation Reconstruction

International audienceAbdominoperineal amputation (AAP) is a gold standard procedure treating advanced abdominal and pelvic cancers. The defect resulting from this extensive surgery must be reconstructed to avoid complications, such as infection, dehiscence, delayed healing, or even death. Several approaches can be chosen depending on the patient. Muscle-based reconstructions are a reliable solution but are responsible for additional morbidity for these fragile patients. We present and discuss our experience in AAP reconstruction using gluteal-artery-based propeller perforator flaps (G-PPF) in a case series. Between January 2017 and March 2021, 20 patients received G-PPF reconstruction in two centers. Either superior gluteal artery (SGAP)- or inferior artery (IGAP)-based perforator flaps were performed depending on the best configuration. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative data were collected. A total of 23 G-PPF were performed—12 SGAP and 11 IGAP flaps. Final defect coverage was achieved in 100% of cases. Eleven patients experienced at least one complication (55%), amongst whom six patients (30%) had delayed healing, and three patients (15%) had at least one flap complication. One patient underwent a new surgery at 4 months for a perineal abscess under the flap, and three patients died from disease recurrence. Gluteal-artery-based propeller perforator flaps are an effective and modern surgical procedure for AAP reconstruction. Their mechanic properties, in addition to their low morbidity, make them an optimal technique for this purpose; however, technical skills are needed, and closer surveillance with patient compliance is critical to ensure success. G-PPF should be widely used in specialized centers and considered a modern alternative to muscle-based reconstructions. © 2023 by the authors

Abdominoplasty and lower body lift surgery improves the quality of life after massive weight loss: a prospective multicenter study

International audienceBACKGROUND: This study was conducted to assess the impact of abdominoplasty and lower body lift surgery following massive weight loss on both the general quality of life and the sexual life of patients. METHODS: We performed a multicenter prospective study on the quality of life after massive weight loss using three scoring questionnaires: The Short Form 36 questionnaire, the Female Sexual Function Index questionnaire, and the Moorehead-Ardelt Quality of Life Questionnaire. Seventy-two patients who underwent lower body lift and 57 patients who underwent abdominoplasty in three centers with pre and post-operative evaluation were included. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 43.2 ± 13.2 years. All categories of the SF36 questionnaire were statistically significant at 6 months, and all categories except health change were significantly improved at 12 months post-operative. Overall, the Moorehead-Ardelt questionnaire showed a higher quality of life in general (1.78 ± 0.92 and 1.64 ± 1.03, at 6 and 12 months respectively) and in all domains (self-esteem, physical activity, social relationships, work performance, and sexual activity). Interestingly, global sexual activity improved at 6 months but not at 12 months. Some domains of sexual life improved at 6 months (desire, arousal, lubrication, satisfaction), but only the desire stayed improved at 12 months. CONCLUSION: Abdominoplasty and lower body lift improve the quality of life of patients after massive weight loss as well as the sexual quality of life. This should be an additional valid reason for promoting reconstructive surgery for massive weight loss patients

Modified nanofat grafting: Stromal vascular fraction simple and efficient mechanical isolation technique and perspectives in clinical recellularization applications

International audienceBackground: Nanofat grafting (NG) is a simple and cost-effective method of lipoaspirates with inter-syringe passages, to produce stromal vascular fraction (SVF) and isolate adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs). This represents a tremendous interest in the future clinical needs of tissue engineering. In this study, we optimized the NG technique to increase the yield of ASC extractions. Methods: We analyzed three groups of SVF obtained by 20, 30, and 40 inter-syringe passages. The control group was an SVF obtained by enzymatic digestion with Celase. We studied their cell composition by flow cytometry, observed their architecture by confocal microscopy, and observed immunomodulatory properties of the ASCs from each of the SVFs by measuring inflammatory markers of macrophages obtained by an ASC monocyte co-culture. Results: We have established the first cell mapping of the stromal vascular fraction of adipose tissue. The results showed that SVF obtained by 20 inter-syringe passages contains more statistically significant total cells, more cells expressing the ASC phenotype, more endothelial cells, and produces more CFU-F than the SVF obtained by 30 and 40 passages and by enzymatic digestion. Confocal microscopy showed the presence of residual adipocytes in SVF obtained by inter-syringe passages but not by enzymatic digestion. The functional study indicates an orientation toward a more anti-inflammatory profile and homogenization of their immunomodulatory properties. Conclusion: This study places mechanically dissociated SVF in the center of approaches to easily extract ASCs and a wide variety and number of other progenitor cells, immediately available in a clinical setting to provide both the amount and quality of cells required for decellularized tissues

Regenerative medicine technologies applied to transplant medicine. An update

Regenerative medicine (RM) is changing how we think and practice transplant medicine. In regenerative medicine, the aim is to develop and employ methods to regenerate, restore or replace damaged/diseased tissues or organs. Regenerative medicine investigates using tools such as novel technologies or techniques, extracellular vesicles, cell-based therapies, and tissue-engineered constructs to design effective patient-specific treatments. This review illustrates current advancements in regenerative medicine that may pertain to transplant medicine. We highlight progress made and various tools designed and employed specifically for each tissue or organ, such as the kidney, heart, liver, lung, vasculature, gastrointestinal tract, and pancreas. By combing both fields of transplant and regenerative medicine, we can harbor a successful collaboration that would be beneficial and efficacious for the repair and design of de novo engineered whole organs for transplantations