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Biomedical subjects

Y B Tang

Publications and source records attributed to Y B Tang.

36 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Pseudocyst formation after trapezius myocutaneous flap reconstruction: management with chemical obliteration.

A trapezius myocutaneous flap is frequently used in head and neck reconstruction surgery. Pseudocyst formation over the flap donor area after its dissection is a rare occurrence. When a cyst occurs after flap application in reconstructive surgery for head and neck malignancies, or is noted concomitantly with a local recurrence of a head and neck malignancy, differentiation between malignant effusion and pseudocyst is important. Differentiation is made by cytologic and biochemical analyses of the cystic contents. Instillation of a chemical irritant can successfully obliterate such pseudocysts.

Aged↗

Transposed replantation of fingers at forearm bones in severe segmental injuries across the hand and wrist.

There are situations in which amputated hands or fingers cannot be replanted directly back to their original positions. When there is severe segmental injury across the hand and wrist but one or several fingers are still healthy, the fingers can be selected to be replanted at the forearm bones to restore pinch function. This is different from the toe to antebrachial stump transplantation presented by Dr. Vilkki. From the results in four patients, the following conclusions are drawn: (1) When the fingers are replanted at the forearm bone(s), only pinch function can be obtained. There is no opposition. (2) Grip function is weak because the intrinsics are lost and only a few fingers are replanted. The forearm bones are often shortened, as are the flexors. (3) Of particular importance is the creation of a large web space between the radial digit and ulnar digit(s), because fingers are longer than toes. (4) The sensory recovery is not so good as in ordinary finger replantation. However, this is a salvage procedure. Regardless of these facts, the patients are still satisfied with the results out of such severe injuries. With good pinch function, not only are they independent in daily life, but they also can do a lot of work. It is a worthwhile procedure. A functional prosthesis can be added distally after this replantation.

Adult↗

Patch esophagoplasty with free forearm flap for focal stricture of the pharyngoesophageal junction and the cervical esophagus.

Focal stricture of the cervical esophagus can be caused by corrosive injury or irradiation or following esophageal reconstruction. For severe stricture that cannot be relieved by bougie dilatation, surgical correction should be done. Among the operations performed, the myocutaneous flap is considered the first choice. Patch esophagoplasty with a free flap is indicated in the following situations: (1) when the patient is a young woman, (2) when the patient is obese, and (3) following irradiation that renders myocutaneous flaps unreliable. For correction of focal stricture of the cervical esophagus, six patients underwent esophagoplasty with a patch of free forearm flap. In comparison with other methods, this approach is associated with less morbidity and a better aesthetic result. The patients started oral intake at 1 month. Only one patient had minor leakage, and this healed after conservative treatment. The skin patch inserted in the esophageal wall caused no problem in motility, and the patients could eat smoothly after surgery.

Adult↗

Finger reconstruction with triple toe transfer from the same foot for a patient with a special job and previous foot trauma.

After the loss of four fingers at the metacarpal level, triple toe transfer from the same foot was performed in the dominant hand of an art worker who needed three ulnar digits to work with the intact thumb. The toes of the left foot could not be used because of a previous injury. Long-term follow-up at 3 years showed good results in terms of function. He regained dexterity for calligraphy, notably the brush calligraphy and painting that are important in his job. The donor site was treated very carefully to prevent complications. There was minimal donor site morbidity. He still can walk very well and runs fast. Gait analysis of the donor foot is presented. This was a unique situation, and satisfactory results were obtained through the cooperation of the patient as well as detailed analysis before surgery.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Four types of venous flaps for wound coverage: a clinical appraisal.

Venous flaps were used for coverage of hand wounds over exposed bones, joints, and tendons in 28 patients. Four types of operations were performed. Among them type IV was the best. It included the advantages of perfusion in types I and III, but excluded their disadvantages. The viability of venous flaps was confirmed. Clinical observation showed that a venous flap is not merely a composite graft. The presence of a vascular network in the flap helps to ensure initial survival before the establishment of neovascularization between the venous flap and the recipient site. Partial loss of a flap was observed in two cases and complete failure was seen in one case. Viability versus flap size and modality of perfusion are analyzed. With total venous perfusion, small venous flaps usually survive better than large ones. For large venous flaps, arterialized venous perfusion is better than total venous perfusion. Venous flaps are useful for wound coverage of fingers and hand, but they do not replace cross-finger flaps or other conventional flaps when these simpler flaps are available.

Adolescent↗

Posterior tibial artery flap for reconstruction of the esophagus.

Three patients presented who needed reconstruction of the entire esophagus. Because the stomach and colon were not available in these patients, a posterior tibial artery flap was employed for reconstruction. In the first stage, the long and wide skin flap was elaborated into a skin tube to create the major portion of esophagus in the subcutaneous tunnel. In the second stage, the lower end of the skin tube was joined to the jejunum in Roux-en-Y fashion. This method resulted in smooth passage of food and early rehabilitation for these patients. However, this procedure has the disadvantage of a scar over the leg. In addition, this procedure has the following limitations: (1) a well-vascularized leg is necessary, and (2) a hairless leg is necessary. Although this would not be a procedure of first choice, it remains a worthwhile backup procedure in esophageal reconstruction.

Adult↗

Bone marrow as a means of venous drainage for a microvascular osteocutaneous flap.

Intraosseous infusion of fluid had been used in traumatology. Here we describe a clinical situation in which bone marrow is first used for drainage of venous blood in a free osteocutaneous flap. Two factors account for the survival of the large osteocutaneous flap in which venous anastomosis was impossible. (1) In the design of the arterial circuit and the major route of venous drainage, there were two ends of the peroneal artery of the osteocutaneous flap. Both its upper and lower ends were anastomosed to the anterior tibial artery of the recipient site to constitute an uninterrupted arterial circulation. This prevented stagnation of arterial flow and thrombosis of the arterial anastomosis. (2) The major route of venous drainage was through bone marrow. The initial congestion was finally overcome by the development of neovascularization. Bone scan showed good survival of bone with increased uptake of radioactivity. At 3 years follow-up, roentgenogram showed bone union, and the patient had no trouble walking. The continuity of the anterior tibial artery, which had been interrupted by trauma, was restored by this flap.

Accidents, Traffic↗

Dorsalis pedis flap with vascularised nerve graft for simultaneous reconstruction of palm and digital nerves.

A case of avulsion of the palm with loss of a segment of a common digital nerve was successfully reconstructed using a dorsalis pedis flap with associated vascularised nerve grafts. The superficial peroneal nerve innervated the flap and the deep peroneal nerve innervated the fingers. The wound healed well with quick sensory return to the fingers as well as to the flap. This is a convenient nerve graft obtained at the same time as flap elevation.

Adult↗

Microvascular free muscle flaps for chronic empyema with bronchopleural fistula when the major local muscles have been divided--one-stage operation with primary wound closure.

It should be emphasized that most cases of chest empyema can be successfully treated with conventional thoracic surgery procedures. For chronic empyema with a bronchopleural fistula complicated by previous division of major local muscles following repeated thoracotomies, free muscle flaps are employed. Five such cases treated with this method resulted in successful closure of the airway fistula, as well as complete obliteration of the empyema cavity in a single operation. This method is very effective in eradicating infection and achieves prompt wound healing, decreased morbidity, and gradual improvement of pulmonary function after surgery. Analysis of roentgen ray and computed tomographic scans before and after surgery shows lung expansion when the transferred muscles atrophy. The results are satisfactory. The method described here is not the only solution to this problem, but it is a new approach that has advantages not seen in conventional methods. It is indicated only in patients who have been operated on many times and who have no remaining available local muscles.

Adult↗

Major mandibular reconstruction with vascularized bone graft.

Mandibular reconstruction is one of the most challenging fields in plastic and reconstructive surgery. Deficiencies of the mandible occur in congenital anomalies, trauma, oral and mandibular neoplasms and osteoradionecrosis. Conventional reconstructive aids like bone grafting or insertion of a metallic implant often fail in such situations due to poor local blood supply, deficient oral lining, inadequate skin coverage, large mandibular defects, irradiated fields or infected wounds. A free vascularized bone graft of a osteocutaneous flap overcomes the incompetence of conventional mandible reconstruction. It offers not only a desirable length of vascularized bone, but also has an adequate skin lining for oral mucosa and external tissue deficiencies, as well as a "sandwich reconstruction" for the mandible. The results are usually satisfactory in terms of function and aesthetics. Experience in 8 cases with iliac and scapular osteocutaneous free flaps are presented and discussed in this report. We conclude that a vascularized bone graft, especially the iliac crest, provides reliable and contented results for major mandibular reconstruction.

Adult↗

Difficult reconstruction of an extensive injury in the lower extremity with a large cross-leg microvascular composite-tissue flap containing fibula.

In the absence of proper recipient vessels, a large microvascular composite-tissue flap was transferred successfully for reconstruction of a leg with an extensive crush injury. This was accomplished by using vessels of the normal leg. The microvascular flap containing skin, muscle, and 15 cm of fibula survived well after division of the pedicle. To achieve good bone healing, the leg was protected by a brace while gradually increasing weight bearing. The functional result is satisfactory.

Adolescent↗

Early reconstruction of pharynx and esophagus following corrosive injury with radial forearm flap in preparation for colon interposition.

In 24 patients, corrosive injuries involving the floor of the mouth, the pharynx, and the esophagus were repaired in two stages using a combined free forearm flap and colon for functional restoration of the alimentary tract. The results were satisfactory. Morbidity was decreased, complications were minimal, and there were no failures. In the first stage, early reconstruction with a forearm flap for the oral floor, the pharynx, and the cervical esophagus can be done safely 3 months after the original injury when the acute inflammation of the tissue has disappeared. The forearm flap is thin and pliable, and has a good blood supply for primary healing without failure or stricture. Dysphagia is eliminated because food passes down by gravity. There is no constriction or hyperperistalsis of the colon, both of which are occasionally seen with the traditional colon interposition. In the second stage, the traditional method is used to finish the reconstruction of the remainder of the esophagus.

Adult↗

Distally based gastrocnemius myocutaneous flap augmented with an arterial anastomosis--a combination of myocutaneous flap and microsurgery.

Microsurgical techniques can augment the arterial blood supply of a distally based myocutaneous flap, by reanastomosis of the sural artery to a main artery of the leg, allowing the flap a greater length and arc of rotation to cover defects of the distal half of the leg. No venous anastomosis is required. This procedure was used in 17 patients with open tibial fractures. They all healed primarily without any early or late complications. The use of this augmented flap provides a simple and reliable method for reconstruction of difficult wounds of the distal lower leg. It is easier and safer than a free flap.

Adult↗

Patch esophagoplasty with musculocutaneous flaps as treatment of complications after esophageal reconstruction.

A musculocutaneous flap is a simple and effective treatment for the complications which can follow esophageal reconstruction at the cervical portion, such as stricture, fistula, and infection of costal cartilages. After the strictured segment is opened or resected, the resultant esophageal defect can be replaced with the skin patch of a musculocutaneous flap. Then the muscle component of the musculocutaneous flap can be used to form a seal around the previously infected lesion site, an area with the potential for recurrent infection and leakage in subsequent operations. Seven patients were treated this way with satisfactory results.

Adult↗

Microsurgical reconstruction of the esophagus.

The loss or stricture of the esophagus has a tremendous impact on daily life. Before the era of microsurgery, many patients had to rely on tube feeding from jejunostomy following failure of esophageal reconstruction with conventional methods. Since the application of microsurgery, almost all kinds of esophageal defects can be reconstructed successfully with microvascular transfer of jejunum, colon, and skin flaps. Microsurgery is also used to augment the blood supply for the pedicled colon and jejunum flaps. In 97.6% of cases, successful reconstruction has been achieved. The leakage rate and functional results are evaluated for each group. For the pharynx and cervical esophagus, jejunum is the best choice. For replacement of the thoracic esophagus, a pedicled colon flap is the first choice, but it can be supercharged with microvascular anastomoses to the neck vessels if necessary. We conclude that the microsurgical transfer of jejunum, colon, and skin flaps is a useful approach for reconstruction of the esophagus. With proper selection of the organ substitute and correct inset of the flap, it not only provides anatomical replacement, but also a superior functional result. Free jejunum flap transfer requires attention to flap length and duration of ischemia. Free colon flap transfer requires attention to arteriosclerotic changes and the vascular pattern. Free skin flaps require attention to leakage prevention. Semin. Surg. Oncol. 19:235-245, 2000.

Adolescent↗