Biomedical subjects

Wei-Chao Huang

Publications and source records attributed to Wei-Chao Huang.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Proximal forearm flap based on a septocutaneous vessel from the radial artery.

BACKGROUND: The radial forearm flap has been a workhorse flap for soft-tissue or coverage reconstruction in the head and neck area. Although it has several major advantages, it requires sacrifice of the radial artery. In this article, the authors present their modification of harvesting a forearm flap based on a large septocutaneous branch of the radial artery in the proximal forearm with or without sacrificing the main radial artery. They name it the proximal radial forearm flap. METHODS: From September of 2003 to March of 2004, a total of 14 free proximal radial forearm flaps were used for head and neck reconstruction in 12 patients. There was one female patient and 11 male patients. Their ages ranged from 32 to 85 years. The skin flap size ranged from 2.0 x 6.0 cm to 4.5 x 18 cm. RESULTS: All free proximal radial forearm flap reconstructions had immediate success. There were one delayed flap loss caused by wound infection and one death attributable to advanced medical disease. Six flaps were harvested with preservation of the radial artery trunk. Six of the eight radial arteries that were killed during flap harvest were repaired with a short segment (3 to 4 cm) of vein graft. The average diameter and length of the septocutaneous vessel of the proximal radial forearm flap was 0.73 mm and 3.3 cm, respectively. Two flaps were harvested in conjunction with the conventional free radial forearm flaps. Nine donor sites were closed primarily and five donor sites required skin grafts. CONCLUSIONS: The proximal radial forearm flap can be used successfully in head and neck reconstruction with the advantages of moving the donor site to the proximal forearm for better scar concealment and possible preservation of the radial artery trunk. The disadvantages of this flap are short pedicle length and small pedicle diameter when the radial artery is to be preserved.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Selection of recipient vessels in double free-flap reconstruction of composite head and neck defects.

BACKGROUND: Massive defects of the head and neck regions after resection of advanced carcinoma often require two flaps for optimal reconstruction. This study focuses on the selection of proper recipient vessels. METHODS: A total of 262 free-flap transfers were performed in 130 patients using the two-flap approach (one patient received two flaps twice). RESULTS: For microvascular anastomosis of inner flaps (intraoral lining-bone reconstruction flaps), the ipsilateral facial artery was used in 56 flaps (42.8 percent), the ipsilateral superior thyroid artery was used in 49 flaps (37.4 percent), and a branch of the internal jugular vein was used as recipient vein in 101 flaps (77.1 percent). For external flaps (soft-tissue-external skin reconstruction flaps), the ipsilateral superior thyroid artery was used in 59 flaps (50.4 percent) and the transverse cervical artery was used in 19 flaps (16.2 percent). In 14 patients the inner flaps provided distal run-off for external flap revascularization. Only seven flaps required vein grafts; they were all used for external face reconstruction (2.8 percent). There were six total (2.3 percent) and 12 partial (4.6 percent) flap failures. CONCLUSIONS: Recipient vessel selection and preparation in primary head and neck cancer reconstruction requiring two simultaneous flaps should take into consideration (1) avoidance of unnecessary destruction during tumor ablations and preservation of as many neck vessels as possible, (2) length and diameter match between flap pedicles and recipient vessels to avoid vein grafts, and (3) possible need of another free-flap reconstruction for flap failure, complication, recurrence, or secondary primary cancers. The previously radiated or operated neck does not preclude the use of recipient vessels from that side. Distal run-off of the inner flap for external flap revascularization should be avoided if possible. Once those principles are observed, two-flap reconstruction for primary cancer presents no more difficulties than single-flap reconstruction.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Microvascular free tissue transfer for treatment of osteoradionecrosis of the maxilla.

Head and neck tumors often require radiotherapy as part of the treatment protocol. Although it improves the survival rate in cancer patients, it may cause osteoradionecrosis, especially in the mandible and maxilla. Twelve patients with osteoradionecrosis of the maxilla were treated with microsurgical free tissue transplantations between April of 1996 and August of 2002. There were 10 male and two female patients, with a mean age of 60.2 years. The mean radiotherapy dose was 6674 cGy. The radiation dose could not be traced in three patients because radiotherapy was performed elsewhere. Radical sequestrectomy, soft-tissue debridement, and pathologic proof of no tumor recurrence were performed before microsurgical reconstruction. Free flaps used included the following: anterolateral thigh (n = 7), radial forearm (n = 2), rectus femoris musculocutaneous (n = 2), and supracondylar chimeric (n = 1) flaps. All flaps survived completely and reconstruction succeeded. During a mean 25-month follow-up period, ectropion, plate exposure, and mild infection were encountered in three patients and treated successfully. Radical debridement and obliteration of dead space with well-vascularized tissue are essential for successful treatment of maxillary osteoradionecrosis. The anterolateral thigh flap is most versatile for almost all types of soft-tissue defect reconstruction in the head and neck region.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Breast reconstruction with a muscle-sparing free transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap: comparison between immediate and delayed groups.

BACKGROUND: Breast reconstruction offers not only physical but also psychological rehabilitation. Autologous tissue transfer is a good option for breast reconstruction. The purpose of this study was to investigate the success rate, complications, and cosmetic outcomes following use of a muscle-sparing free transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap for breast reconstruction. METHODS: Between August 1999 and February 2001, 15 consecutive patients underwent breast reconstruction using a muscle-sparing free TRAM flap after a mastectomy. Ten patients received mastectomies and immediately underwent breast reconstruction using muscle-sparing free TRAM flaps at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. The remaining 5 patients first received a modified radical mastectomy and then underwent breast reconstruction. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 43.9 (range, 32 to 50) years. Ten patients (67%) underwent immediate reconstructions, and 5 (23%) underwent delayed reconstructions. The overall success rate was 93.3%. Postoperative complications included 1 abdominal seroma and 1 small area of breast fat necrosis. Six of 10 patients with immediate reconstruction underwent both adjuvant chemotherapy and hormone therapy, while 3 patients received only chemotherapy. None of these adjuvant therapies were delayed by the reconstructive surgery. At a mean follow-up of 26.7 months, no local recurrence had been found, and 93% of patients were satisfied with the esthetic results. CONCLUSIONS: A muscle-sparing free TRAM flap is a good option for breast reconstruction. Both the success rate and patient satisfaction are high. The subsequent adjuvant therapy need not be delayed following immediate reconstruction.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Chimeric flap in clinical use.

With the development of modern microsurgical reconstruction, there are several alternative methods for the complicated head and neck defect or injured extremity. The double-paddled flap, double flaps, and double flap with vascular flow-through linkage are good tools for extensive wide, composite, and three-dimensional defects. When faced with a difficult reconstruction, the expense, morbidity of the donor site, and operative time must be taken into consideration. Compared with other combined composite flaps and other methods, the chimeric flap has many advantages including: easy three-dimensional insetting, acceptable aesthetic appearance, reduced donor site morbidity, design with the least effort and operation time, and one pair of recipient vessel. The disadvantages of the chimeric flaps include: the variation of perforators, the requirement of a learning curve, and, sometimes, the need for a second venous drainage or shifting to double flaps. Overall, in selected cases, the chimeric flap is a good option for the reconstruction of extensive, composite, and three-dimensional defects.

Bone and Bones↗

PubMed2002

Combined anterolateral thigh flap and vascularized fibula osteoseptocutaneous flap in reconstruction of extensive composite mandibular defects.

Extensive composite defects of the oromandibular area are usually created after the surgical treatment of T3 and T4 cancers, requiring complex reconstructive plastic surgical procedures. The preferred treatment method for this type of defect is reconstruction with two free flaps. The use of the vascularized fibula osteoseptocutaneous flap for the bone and inner lining defect is well known and accepted. Among the flaps that can be used for the outer lining and soft-tissue reconstruction, the two most commonly used have been the forearm flap and the rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap. However, these flaps have some disadvantages that restrict their use for this purpose. The forearm flap is usually too thin to cover the fibular bone and reconstruction plate, and the rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap can cause a subclinical reduction in abdominal strength. Both radial forearm and rectus abdominis myocutaneous flaps are difficult to harvest during tumor excision. Because of these drawbacks, over the past several years the authors have preferred to use the anterolateral thigh flap for outer face, neck, and submandibular region reconstructions. From October of 1998 to June of 2000, 22 extensive composite mandibular defect reconstructions using the free anterolateral thigh flap, combined with the vascularized free fibula osteoseptocutaneous flap, were performed at the Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. Complete flap survival was 90.9 percent (40 of 44 flaps). Complete loss was seen in an anterolateral thigh flap, which was then reconstructed with a pectoralis major myocutaneous pedicled flap (2.3 percent). There were five venous problems: three in osteoseptocutaneous free fibula flaps, the other two in anterolateral thigh flaps; all were revised immediately. However, the skin islands of two osteoseptocutaneous free fibula flaps and one anterolateral thigh flap developed partial necrosis (6.8 percent). The other complications were compartment syndrome in the leg in one patient, external carotid artery rupture in one patient, three donor-site infections in two patients, three neck wound infections, and one myocardial insufficiency; all were treated properly. Thirteen patients underwent revision procedures 6 months after the first operation. These procedures included debulking of the flap or revision of the mouth angle or both. Trismus or intraoral contraction was noted in none of these patients. In conclusion, the free anterolateral thigh flap combined with the vascularized fibula osteoseptocutaneous flap seems to be a good choice in the reconstruction of the extensive composite defects of the oromandibular region aesthetically and functionally.

Aged↗

PubMed2002

Reconstruction of through-and-through cheek defects involving the oral commissure, using chimeric flaps from the thigh lateral femoral circumflex system.

Repairing full-thickness cheek defects involving the oral commissure in the head and neck regions after tumor resection is a challenge for reconstructive surgeons. First, they are usually relatively large defects. Second, the axes of the cheek and intraoral lining are different from each other. Third, the shape and volume of the defect and the oral sphincter should be considered individually. Lateral femoral circumflex perforator flaps with at least two independent cutaneous perforators are suitable for reconstruction of such a defect in one stage. In this study, between January and December of 1999, a total of nine patients underwent reconstruction with chimeric lateral femoral circumflex perforator flaps immediately after resection of their oral cancers. The average age of the patients was 61 years (range, 42 to 74 years). The oral lining defects were between 5 x 5 cm and 6 x 12 cm in size, whereas the cheek defects were between 5 x 6 and 8 x 12 cm. Fifteen flaps were supplied by one perforator, and three flaps were supplied by two perforators. There were nine single arterial anastomoses, eight single venous anastomoses, and one double venous anastomosis. There were no total flap failures. One case of postoperative venous congestion was successfully treated by a second venous anastomosis. The average duration of hospitalization was 31.8 days (range, 18 to 49 days). The median follow-up time was 8.6 months, and all patients were alive at the time of evaluation. Six of nine patients had satisfactory or good contours of the cheek. Five of nine patients had normal deglutition. Six of nine patients had adequate oral continence. Compared with other free flaps, use of the combined (chimeric) lateral femoral circumflex perforator flaps for the reconstruction of cheek through-and-through defects involving the oral commissure has several advantages: (1) easy three-dimensional insetting, (2) a unique character suitable for the requirements of the oral lining and cheek skin to achieve good aesthetic appearance, (3) functional preservation of the oral sphincter and the resistance of gravity by use of the tensor fasciae latae, (4) minimal donor-site morbidity, (5) economic design, and (6) no need for microsurgical fabrication, because major vascular branches such as the transverse branch, the ascending branch, and the feeding branch to the rectus femoris muscle are not sacrificed in the procedure. The disadvantages of these flaps include (1) the complicated anatomy of the perforators, (2) the learning-curve requirement for their use, and (3) the occasional need for secondary venous drainage and shifts to double flaps. Although there are some difficulties, it was concluded that use of the chimeric lateral femoral circumflex perforator flaps in the selected cases is one of the good options available for the reconstruction of cheek through-and-through defects involving the oral commissure.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Use of free thin anterolateral thigh flaps combined with cervicoplasty for reconstruction of postburn anterior cervical contractures.

Free thin anterolateral thigh flaps combined with cervicoplasty were used in a series of seven patients undergoing reconstruction for previous burn injury from September of 2000 to May of 2001 at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. This method uses a suprafascial dissection technique to provide a thin flap to improve cervical contour. Neck contractures had resulted from flame burns in six patients and from a chemical burn in one patient. The mean age was 32.7 years (range, 22 to 45 years). The size of excised scar ranged from 10 x 2 cm to 26 x 5 cm (mean, 19.7 x 3.3 cm). The size of flaps ranged from 11 x 5 cm to 26 x 8 cm (mean, 21.3 x 6.5 cm). Average operative time was 6 hours. Average hospital stay was 10 days. All flaps survived, with one flap sustaining partial marginal loss. The donor site was closed primarily in five cases and by using a split-thickness skin graft in two cases. At a mean follow-up time of 5 months, the functional improvement was measured as follows: a mean increase in extension of 30 degrees (preoperatively, 95 degrees; postoperatively, 125 degrees), a mean increase in rotation of 18 degrees (preoperatively, 59 degrees; postoperatively, 77 degrees), and a mean increase in lateral flexion of 12.5 degrees (preoperatively, 26.5 degrees; postoperatively, 39 degrees). The average cervicomandibular angle was improved by 25 degrees (preoperatively, 145 degrees; postoperatively, 120 degrees). This series demonstrates that the use of free thin anterolateral thigh flaps combined with cervicoplasty provides a one-stage reconstruction with a thin, pliable flap that achieves good cervical contour with low donor-site morbidity.

Adult↗