OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical effect of posterior perforator tibial artery flaps on repairing soft tissue defects of limbs.
METHODS: From June 2012 to June 2021, 14 cases of soft tissue defects of limbs were repaired with pedicled or free flaps of posterior perforator tibial artery. Among them, there were 9 cases of pedicled flaps and 5 cases of free flaps. The donor sites were closed directly or covered with skin grafting. The defects area varied from 3 × 5 cm to 7 × 16 cm. All cases were followed up for 1 year to 2 years.
RESULTS: All flaps survived completely except 3 cases with distal end necrosis and the 3 cases healed after dressing change. There were not any other complications at both donor and recipient sites. Appearance of the recipient sites was close to the surrounding skin. All patients were satisfied with the results.
CONCLUSIONS: Posterior perforator tibial artery flaps have the advantages of relatively simple technique, few damage, few complications and satisfying appearance. It is a good choice for soft tissue defects of limbs.

OBJECTIVE: High-energy injuries to the knee may lead to extensive soft tissue loss, fractures, and potential loss of extensor function. The gastrocnemius flap is a prominent reconstructive option for patients with injuries involving the knee and proximal third of the lower extremity. To the best of our knowledge, there has not been an informative review that has evaluated outcomes of patients who have undergone post-traumatic knee reconstruction with a pedicled medial or lateral gastrocnemius flap. The goal of this study is to assess outcomes in patients who have undergone gastrocnemius flap reconstruction after traumatic injuries to the knee.
METHODS: The review was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) methodology. Four databases were utilized including PubMed, Cochrane Reviews, Embase, and CINAHL. Our search criteria consisted of the following keywords: gastrocnemius, flap, knee, and traum*.
RESULTS: A total of 204 studies were imported for screening, from which five papers met our final inclusion/exclusion criteria. The most common studies utilized in this review were case series followed by retrospective chart reviews. In total, 43 patients with traumatic soft tissue knee defects were included with an average patient age of 27.28 years. All patients had successful and clinical viable flaps post-operatively, and there were a total of five patients who had complications.
CONCLUSIONS: The gastrocnemius flap has demonstrated to be an effective option for individuals undergoing post-traumatic knee reconstruction. Infection rates, loss of mobility, and scarring represent a minority of complications that may be seen when this reconstructive technique is utilized. Still, additional randomized controlled trials and retrospective studies are required in order to further evaluate for other potential complications that may occur in this patient population.

BACKGROUND: Reconstruction of mandibular defects caused by combat injuries is challenging for clinicians due to soft tissue defects and high complication risk. This study evaluated the outcomes of mandibular continuous defects reconstruction with non-vascularized iliac crest graft (NVICG) in patients with combat injuries.
METHODS: Patients with continuous mandibular defects acquired by high-velocity agents, who received NVICG reconstruction with or without microvascular-free soft tissue or regional flaps, were included in the study. The outcome variable was graft loss due to postoperative complications or full (more than 90 %) resorption. The primary predictor variable was soft tissue defect in the recipient area. The secondary predictor variable was the length of the defect. Variables related to patients, defect site, surgery, and other complications were also evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed with the usage of independent sample t-test, Pearson\'s chi-squared and Fisher\'s exact tests with a significance level of P < 0.05 RESULTS: The study included 24 patients with 27 mandibular defects. Overall, the general success rate of reconstructions was 59.3 %. Soft tissue defects were significantly associated with graft failure and other complications (p < 0.05), which were mostly related to soft tissue defects. The graft success rate was only 14.3 % even in minor soft tissue defects. In turn, in reconstructions with sufficient soft tissue coverage, the graft survived in 75.0 % of the cases. In addition, patients with more delayed reconstruction had significantly fewer graft failures than those with earlier surgery (p < 0.05). No associations were found between defect size and complications.
CONCLUSIONS: The sufficient soft tissue coverage is essential in the reconstruction of mandibular defects caused by combat injuries. Also, minor soft tissue defects should be covered with soft tissue flaps to avoid complications and graft loss in these specific injuries. Even large defects can be reconstructed with NIVICG if the soft tissue coverage is sufficient.

Traumatic osteomyelitis with accompanying soft tissue defects presents a significant therapeutic challenge. This prospective, randomised controlled trial aims to evaluate the efficacy of antibiotic-impregnated bone cement, flap coverage and negative pressure sealed irrigation in the management of traumatic osteomyelitis complicated by soft tissue defects. A total of 46 patients with clinically diagnosed traumatic osteomyelitis and soft tissue defects were randomised into a control group (n = 23) and an observation group (n = 23). The control group underwent standard flap coverage and negative-pressure lavage, while the observation group received an additional treatment with antibiotic-loaded bone cement. Efficacy was measured based on clinical criteria, surgical metrics and morphometric assessment of bone and soft tissue defects. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 27.0. The observation group, treated with an integrated approach of flap coverage, negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) and antibiotic-impregnated bone cement, demonstrated significantly higher overall treatment efficacy (91.3%) compared to the control group, which received only flap coverage and NPWT (65.2%) (p < 0.01). This enhanced efficacy was evidenced through various outcomes: the observation group experienced reduced surgical times, shorter hospital stays, fewer dressing changes and accelerated wound healing, all statistically significant (p < 0.001). Additionally, a quantitative analysis at 6-month post-treatment revealed that the observation group showed more substantial reductions in both bone and soft tissue defect sizes compared to the control group (p < 0.001). The multi-modal treatment strategy, combining skin flap coverage, antibiotic bone cement and negative-pressure irrigation, showed marked efficacy in treating traumatic osteomyelitis and associated soft tissue defects. This approach accelerated postoperative recovery and lowered costs.

Soft tissue defects resulting from head and neck tumor resection seriously impact the physical appearance and psychological well-being of patients. The complex curvature of the human head and neck poses a formidable challenge for maxillofacial surgeons to achieve precise aesthetic and functional restoration after surgery. To this end, a normal head and neck volunteer was selected as the subject of investigation. Employing Gaussian curvature analysis, combined with mechanical constraints and principal curvature analysis methods of soft tissue clinical treatment, a precise developable/non-developable area partition map of the head and neck surface was obtained, and a non-developable surface was constructed. Subsequently, a digital design method was proposed for the repair of head and neck soft tissue defects, and an in vitro simulated surgery experiment was conducted. Clinical verification was performed on a patient with tonsil tumor, and the results demonstrated that digital technology-designed flaps improved the accuracy and aesthetic outcome of head and neck soft tissue defect repair surgery. This study validates the feasibility of digital precision repair technology for soft tissue defects after head and neck tumor resection, which effectively assists surgeons in achieving precise flap transplantation reconstruction and improves patients\' postoperative satisfaction.
头颈部肿瘤切除引起的软组织缺损会严重影响患者的外貌和心理健康。人体头颈部曲面十分复杂，如何精确修复使术后患者面部实现理想的美学与功能效果，是颌面外科医生一直试图解决的难题。本文以志愿者正常头颈部为对象，基于曲面高斯曲率分析，结合软组织临床处理的力学约束和主曲率分析方法，得到精准的头颈部曲面可展/不可展区域分区图，构建不可展曲面的展平方法。在此基础上，提出头颈部软组织缺损修复皮瓣的数字化设计方法，进行体外模拟手术实验研究。最后选取一例扁桃体肿瘤患者进行临床验证。结果表明，利用数字化技术设计的皮瓣能够提高头颈部软组织缺损修复手术的精度和术后美学效果。本文验证了头颈部肿瘤切除后软组织缺损的数字化精确修复技术的可行性，可有效地辅助外科医生完成皮瓣移植精确重建手术，从而提高患者术后满意度。.

There are unique considerations for the management, repair, and reconstruction of pediatric facial soft tissue injuries. Conventional methods for the repair and reconstruction of facial soft tissue injuries can be successfully applied in children with considerations for anatomic and physiologic differences and the growth potential of a child. Attention to correct form, framework, and esthetics guides the proper reconstruction of individual regions on the face. Choice of approach ultimately depends on and the size, severity, location of injury, and surgeon\'s preferences.

BACKGROUND: The flap closed-incisions healing after 3D-printed prosthesis implantation in Chronic Osteomyelitis with Soft Tissue Defects (COSTD) is critical. This study aimed to explore the safety and effectiveness of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) in promoting flap closed-incisions healing.
METHODS: Retrospective analysis of clinical data was performed, including baseline, surgical and hospitalization information. The efficacy of NPWT was assessed by comparing the ASEPSIS scores, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Activity of Daily Living Scale (ADLS), and Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS), as well as the major postoperative complications.
RESULTS: The study included 20 patients, 13 received conventional dressing (Control group) and 7 received NPWT treatment (NPWT group). These two groups exhibited a notable disparity in the distribution of ASEPSIS scores, and the median scores were 24 in Control group and 9 in NPWT group (p = 0.001). Eight patients in the Control group experienced major incisional complications, including 7 cases of exudation, 3 cases of infection, 2 cases of non-healing, and 1 case of dehiscence, while none were observed in the NPWT group (p = 0.015). The VAS, ADLS, and LEFS scores were significantly improved in the NPWT group compared to the Control group (p = 0.003, 0.017, and 0.043, respectively).
CONCLUSIONS: The study findings suggest that NPWT applied to the healing process of flap closed-incisions after 3D prosthesis implantation in patients with COSTD can reduce the occurrence of postoperative major complications and promote the recovery of lower limb function and daily activities, which should be recommended for clinical practice.

UNASSIGNED: Reconstruction of soft tissue defects overlying the Achilles tendon has always been a challenge. Various modalities of reconstruction have been described to resurface such defects. We aimed to assess the functional and cosmetic outcomes of all patients who had undergone reconstruction of small and medium sized soft tissue defects of the Achilles region using local fasciocutaneous island flaps.
UNASSIGNED: This retrospective study was conducted from January 2020 to June 2022. 15 patients with small (≤ 30 cm2) and medium (30-90 cm2) sized soft tissue defects of the tendo-Achilles region, underwent reconstruction with local fasciocutaneous island flaps and had complete medical records, were included.
UNASSIGNED: Thirteen patients were male (86.7%). The mean age was 53.2 years. 5 cases (33.3%) had post-traumatic open AT injuries with skin avulsion, while ten patients (66.7%) had suture line complications after open repair of spontaneous Achilles tendon rupture. Defect sizes ranged from 12 to 63 cm2. Reverse sural flap was used in 5 patients (33.3%) and medial plantar flap in 10 patients (66.7%). All flaps survived completely. Complications were detected in 3 patients (20%); 1 distal superficial necrosis in a sural flap and 2 marginal minimal graft loss. Functional outcome was good in 12 patients (80%), excellent in 1 patient (6.7%) and fair in 2 patients (13.3%). 13 patients (86.7%) were satisfied with the cosmetic results.
UNASSIGNED: Local fasciocutenous island flaps are reliable and simple solutions for covering small to moderate soft tissue defects overlying the Achilles Tendon, with acceptable functional and cosmetic outcomes.

The combination of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) and dermal scaffolds has been shown to be an approach with high potential in soft tissue reconstruction. The addition of dermal templates to skin grafts can increase graft survival through angiogenesis, improve regeneration and healing time, and enhance the overall appearance. However, it remains unknown whether the addition of nanofat-containing ASCs to this construct could effectively facilitate the creation of a multi-layer biological regenerative graft, which could possibly be used for soft tissue reconstruction in the future in a single operation. Initially, microfat was harvested using Coleman\'s technique, then isolated through the strict protocol using Tonnard\'s technique. Finally, centrifugation, emulsification, and filtration were conducted to seed the filtered nanofat-containing ASCs onto Matriderm for sterile ex vivo cellular enrichment. After seeding, a resazurin-based reagent was added, and the construct was visualized using two-photon microscopy. Within 1 h of incubation, viable ASCs were detected and attached to the top layer of the scaffold. This experimental ex vivo note opens more dimensions and horizons towards the combination of ASCs and collagen-elastin matrices (i.e., dermal scaffolds) as an effective approach in soft tissue regeneration. The proposed multi-layered structure containing nanofat and dermal template (Lipoderm) may be used, in the future, as a biological regenerative graft for wound defect reconstruction and regeneration in a single operation and can also be combined with skin grafts. Such protocols may optimize the skin graft results by creating a multi-layer soft tissue reconstruction template, leading to more optimal regeneration and aesthetic outcomes.

Background  Soft tissue defects of the multiple finger present challenges to reconstruction surgeons. Here, we introduce the use of a lateral arm free flap and syndactylization for the coverage of multiple finger soft tissue defects. Methods  This retrospective study was conducted based on reviews of the medical records of 13 patients with multiple soft tissue defects of fingers ( n  = 33) that underwent temporary syndactylization with a microvascular lateral arm flap for temporary syndactylization from January 2010 to December 2020. Surgical and functional outcomes, times of flap division, complications, and demographic data were analyzed. Results  Middle fingers were most frequently affected, followed by ring and index fingers. Mean patient age was 43.58 years. The 13 patients had suffered 10 traumas, 2 thermal burns, and 1 scar contracture. Release of temporary syndactyly was performed 3 to 9 weeks after syndactylization. All flaps survived, but partial necrosis occurred in one patient, who required a local transposition flap after syndactylization release. The mean follow-up was 15.8 months. Conclusion  Coverage of multiple finger defects by temporary syndactylization using a free lateral arm flap with subsequent division offers an alternative treatment option.