Andrew G. Batchelor

Reducing morbidity in the radial forearm flap donor site.

The radial forearm flap, although widely used, has been criticized for the poor quality of its donor site. To investigate the causes of morbidity, 100 radial artery free-flap donor sites have been reviewed. Sixty-seven patients required skin grafting (group 1), and the remaining 33 patients were closed directly (group 2). Seventeen patients in the series had compound osteocutaneous flaps (group 3). Wound healing proved to be a significant problem in groups 1 and 3, and fracture of the radius occurred in 4 of the 17 patients in group 3 and was the most significant cause of morbidity. The radial artery was reconstructed in 12 patients, but only 6 of the arteries (50 percent) were patent at the time of review. Subjective assessment on a scale of 0 to 10 demonstrated a relatively pain-free donor site with low pain scores (2.5 of 10). The cosmetic result was acceptable in men (1.5 of 10) but was less so in women (4 of 10). Angulated fracture of the radius produced an unacceptable cosmetic result (7 of 10). In light of this experience, we no longer reconstruct the radial artery as a matter of routine. The donor defect is closed directly wherever possible using an ulnar artery-based transposition flap when required. A “boat shaped” osteotomy is used in preference to right-angled bone cuts when harvesting a segment of radius to avoid the complications and sequelae of fracture. These changes in surgical technique have improved the acceptability and minimized the problems associated with this donor site.

Feminizing genitoplasty for congenital adrenal hyperplasia : what happens at puberty?

PURPOSEnWe document the postpubertal outcome of feminizing genitoplasty.nnnMATERIALS AND METHODSnA total of 14 girls, mean age 13.1 years, with congenital adrenal hyperplasia were assessed under anesthesia by a pediatric urologist, plastic/reconstructive surgeon and gynecologist. Of these patients 13 had previously undergone feminizing genitoplasty in early childhood at 4 different specialist centers in the United Kingdom.nnnRESULTSnThe outcome of clitoral surgery was unsatisfactory (clitoral atrophy or prominent glans) in 6 girls, including 3 whose genitoplasty had been performed by 3 different specialist pediatric urologists. Additional vaginal surgery was necessary for normal comfortable intercourse in 13 patients. Fibrosis and scarring were most evident in those who had undergone aggressive attempts at vaginal reconstruction in infancy.nnnCONCLUSIONSnThese disappointing results, even in the hands of specialists, highlight the importance of late followup and challenge the prevailing assumption that total correction can be achieved with a single stage operation in infancy. Although simple exteriorization of a low vagina can reasonably be combined with cosmetic correction of virilized external genitalia in infancy, we now believe that in some cases it may be best to defer definitive reconstruction of the intermediate or high vagina until after puberty. The psychological issues surrounding sexuality in these patients are inadequately researched and poorly understood.

Prediction of outcomes in 150 patients having microvascular free tissue transfers to the head and neck

Medical records of 150 patients who had undergone microvascular free tissue transfer to the head and neck (85% for malignancy) were retrospectively assessed to identify predictors of postoperative outcomes and complications. 5% of flaps failed and 20% required re-exploration. Surgical and medical problems occurred in 23% and 67% patients respectively; mortality was 4.7%. 132 records were analysed by logistic regression. Mortality and stroke were commoner in patients with previous myocardial infarction or steroid medication. Chest infection was commoner in men and with increasing age. Hypoxaemia was associated with bronchodilator therapy. Thromboembolism was commoner in patients on diuretics. Nutritional problems were more frequent in patients on opioids, with low weight or hypertension. Donor site infection was related to haemoglobin concentration, cerebrovascular disease, hypertension, opioid consumption or previous radiotherapy. Recipient site infection was associated with hypertension. Flap failure was related to nitrate or bronchodilator treatment. Re-exploration was associated with opioid or bronchodilator therapy. It was concluded that several factors predicted complications and death following microvascular surgery to the head and neck.

Microvascular surgery in children

43 microvascular procedures were performed in 38 children, (age limit 15 years) over a three year period. The average age was 5.4 years. The majority of the procedures were elective (63%), the remainder urgent or emergency. The overall vascular success rate was 93%, confirming previous reports. Three failures were observed, 2 of these being thumb avulsion injuries, the third a free-flap. Two patients underwent re-exploration of the anastomosis with successful outcomes. Vessel size was not a problem and generally exceeded 0.8 mm external diameter. The total time under anaesthetic averaged 5.5 hours, and post-operative recovery included monitoring and pain control on a High Dependency Unit. The average hospital stay was 10 days. The indications for surgery differ from those in adults, management is more complex, and includes the physical and psychosocial care of the child and parents. Despite raising certain anxieties in the past, microvascular surgery in children is safe, reliable and carries a high success rate.

A novel method of closing a palatal fistula: the free fascial flap

The closure of a large palatal fistula with a free fascial forearm flap based on the radial vessels is described. The benefits of this flap are discussed with particular reference to this site.

The functional pectoralis major musculocutaneous island flap in head and neck reconstruction.

We describe our experience with the true island pectoralis major musculocutaneous flap in patients with high-volume defects for whom free-tissue transfer is unsuitable. Our operative technique is presented. We have modified the method of making a true island of the pectoralis major musculocutaneous flap on a muscle-free pedicle as first described by Wei et al. in 1984. This maintains maximal donor-site muscle function and facilitates closure of the donor-site defect. We present our results in 24 patients, in whom the flap has proved to be robust and reliable. The flaps advantages in terms of increased pedicle length, wider arc of rotation, decreased pedicle bulk, and improved cosmesis of the reconstruction are discussed.

The free-flap vaginoplasty ; a new surgical procedure for the treatment of vaginal agenesis

Summary. The ideal operation for a young woman born without a vagina would be a one stage procedure, creating a functionally normal vagina without cosmetically unattractive scars, without the need for subsequent dilatation, stents or obturators. This goal was achieved with a free flap vaginoplasty using a full thickness skin graft taken from the scapula region. The blood supply of the graft was maintained by microvascular anastomosis of the graft pedicles to vessels in the groin. The operation has been performed in three young women who were born with uterine hypoplasia and vaginal agenesis. We experienced no unexpected complications, the procedure was well tolerated and left our patients with a good length, fully functional vagina. However, the operation is a major undertaking and needs to be performed by those with expertise in plastic surgery as well as in gynaecology.

Experience with tissue expansion vaginoplasty

Summary. In vaginal agenesis, a vagina can be treated by tissue expansion vaginoplasty. We have performed 17 such procedures. One procedure was abandoned because of infection of the temporary implant. In four women the first stage had to be repeated: in one the implant was placed too superficially, in another it did not provide adequate expansion, in a further instance the implant became infected and the fourth woman received a surgical wound to her labia. The second stage was successful in all 16 women who now have a vagina lined with viable epithelium. The vaginal length was satisfactory in all but one. Two women complained of a vaginal discharge due to hair at the vaginal vault, two women developed postoperative haematomas and one experienced introital stenosis. The disadvantage of the procedure is that it requires two operative stages and involves a prolonged hospital stay but it is not technically complex and results in a full length vagina that does not require dilatation.

A new operation for vaginal agenesis: construction of a neo-vagina from a rectus abdominus musculo-cutaneous flap

At the age of 17 our patient first presented with primary amenorrhoea. In the past she had received psychotherapy for bulimia nervosa and shc had been admitted following an overdose attcmpt precipitated by a poor self-image and a bclief she could never become a ‘page 3 pin-up girl’. She was phenotypically female with welldcvclopcd secondary scxual characteristics. She had complete absence of the vagina, and rectal and ultrasonographic examination of the pelvis failcd to detect any uterine substance. Intravenous pyelogram, serum clectrolytes and a full blood count were unremarkable, and analysis of chromosomes confirmed 46 XX. Thc diagnosis of Mullerian agenesis (Rokitansky syndrome: Hauscr & Schreiner 196 I ) was confirmed by laparoscopic examination. The surgical rcconstruction of a vagina was offered and accepted. However, even after several counselling scssions, it was clear that vaginal dilatation was unacceptable to the paticnt; it was considered ‘unnatural’. She would not tolerate an intestinal stoma at her introitus and she wanted a one-stage procedure. Shc also believcd that she would not have sufficient emotional fortitude to withstand prolonged subcutaneous labial inflation rcquired for tissuc expansion vaginoplasty (Lilford et al.

Vascularised reconstruction of the clavicle

A rare malignant tumour presented as a pathological fracture in the clavicle of an 11-year-old girl. This was resected and the defect reconstructed using a pedicled bilobed flap based on the thoracodorsal system with latissimus dorsi and serratus anterior with a rib to replace the clavicle. The innervation of both donor muscles was preserved. The reconstruction was cosmetically acceptable and maintained the function of the thoracohumeral articulation. Although the use of vascularised rib grafts in composite flaps is well documented, this is the first report of clavicular reconstruction using the technique.