Propellar flap: safe, reliable option for coverage of exposed tendo achilles

Background: Stable skin cover over exposed tendo achilles is absolutely essential for proper healing and recovery of tendo achilles function. Exposed tendo achilles can be a result of open injuries, repair of closed TArupture, complications after repair like suture dehiscence, skin necrosis, infection, delayed exposure and recurrent rupture. Various methods have been described for coverage of repaired tendo achilles like distally based skin flaps, advancement flap, free tissue transfers and islanded flaps. This study describes the usefulness of islanded propeller flap for stable skin cover over tendo achilles.Methods: Over a period of 4 years from March 2012 to August 2016 with total cases were 6, all male patients between 16 to 56 years of age were included in the study. Method of tendo achilles repair/reconstruction was planned, based on individual case requirement. All patients underwent islanded propeller flap for coverage of exposed tendo achilles. All cases were followed up for at least 1 year.Results: All flaps except one case survived and on follow up the function of tendo achilles was excellent with stable, supple, healthy skin overlying the tendon. Tendoachilles strength was assessed by asking the patient to stand on toes.Conclusions: Islanded propeller flap cover over tendoachilles provides a stable, reliable, single stage procedure with good aesthetic appearance.

Propellar flap: safe, reliable option for coverage of exposed tendo achilles

Background: Stable skin cover over exposed tendo achilles is absolutely essential for proper healing and recovery of tendo achilles function. Exposed tendo achilles can be a result of open injuries, repair of closed TArupture, complications after repair like suture dehiscence, skin necrosis, infection, delayed exposure and recurrent rupture. Various methods have been described for coverage of repaired tendo achilles like distally based skin flaps, advancement flap, free tissue transfers and islanded flaps. This study describes the usefulness of islanded propeller flap for stable skin cover over tendo achilles.Methods: Over a period of 4 years from March 2012 to August 2016 with total cases were 6, all male patients between 16 to 56 years of age were included in the study. Method of tendo achilles repair/reconstruction was planned, based on individual case requirement. All patients underwent islanded propeller flap for coverage of exposed tendo achilles. All cases were followed up for at least 1 year.Results: All flaps except one case survived and on follow up the function of tendo achilles was excellent with stable, supple, healthy skin overlying the tendon. Tendoachilles strength was assessed by asking the patient to stand on toes.Conclusions: Islanded propeller flap cover over tendoachilles provides a stable, reliable, single stage procedure with good aesthetic appearance.

Primary free fibula reconstruction in life-threatening haemorrhage from high flow arteriovenous malformation of mandible

Background: High flow arteriovenous malformation (AVM) of the mandible is rare, but it can present as a life-threatening emergency with severe intraoral bleeding for the first time. The gold standard of treatment for an AVM of the mandible is selective embolisation combined with resection and subsequent reconstructions. With the advent of advanced multidisciplinary techniques aimed at definitive therapy, surgical resection and primary reconstruction can provide an ideal anatomical and functional cure. There are no previous reports on primary resection and reconstruction for life-threatening haemorrhage from high flow AVM of the mandible. Aim: We discuss our approach aimed at definitive therapy in life-threatening intraoral bleeding from large high flow AVM of the mandible. Subjects and Methods: Four patients were managed for life-threatening intraoral bleeding during 2015–2017. Compression was applied over the bleeding point before the airway could be secured by endotracheal tube. Under general anaesthesia, the external carotid artery (ECA) was temporarily occluded using an umbilical tape loop ligature to control the bleeding. Emergency selective embolisation was done, followed by curative resection and primary mandible reconstruction using free fibula flap. Outcome assessed. Results: Temporary occlusion of the ECA successfully controlled the bleeding immediately and facilitated selective embolisation and definitive therapy. All the four cases were successfully reconstructed with a good outcome. There was no recurrence during the follow-up period. Conclusion: In life-threatening intraoral bleeding from large high flow AVM of the mandible, emergency selective embolisation followed by curative resection and primary reconstruction is safe in achieving an ideal cure

Dual Venous Drainage for the Free Latissimus Dorsi Muscle Flap—Using the Serratus Vein Tributary—Making Virtue of a Necessity

Background Most flap failures in the lower limb are on account of venous congestion. Literature shows a decrease in the incidence of venous failure when two veins are anastomosed. The thoracodorsal pedicle of the latissimus dorsi free flap affords the possibility of a single venous anastomosis. The lack of a second venous outflow could result in venous congestion in the distal limits of the flap, particularly when long flaps are required for large defects or when the recipient veins are smaller in diameter. Methods We describe a consecutive series of 11 cases of latissimus dorsi flaps for leg and foot defects with a mean defect size of 310 cm2, where the serratus anterior vein was used as a second venous outflow channel to ensure maximal venous drainage. Results There were no re-explorations for anastomotic causes. Only one case had partial distal muscle necrosis. There was a delayed anastomotic blowout due to infection resulting in amputation in one case. There was no partial distal muscle necrosis in nine of the ten cases. Conclusion Using the serratus vein as a second venous outflow is of use in reducing incidence of venous occlusion and distal muscle necrosis and can be specially indicated for large flaps and venous diameter discrepancy