Jiantao Yang1, Canbin Zheng1, Honggang Wang1, Jacques Henri Hacquebord2, Bengang Qin1, Xiang Zhou1, Bo He1, Dong Wang1, Ping Li1, Xiaolin Liu1, Liqiang Gu1, Jian Qi3, Qingtang Zhu4. 1. Department of Microsurgery, Orthopaedic Trauma and Hand Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, 58 Zhongshan Er Road, Guangzhou, China. 2. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, New York University, New York, NY, USA. 3. Department of Microsurgery, Orthopaedic Trauma and Hand Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, 58 Zhongshan Er Road, Guangzhou, China. Electronic address: speedsnow@126.com. 4. Department of Microsurgery, Orthopaedic Trauma and Hand Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, 58 Zhongshan Er Road, Guangzhou, China. Electronic address: zhuqingt@mail.sysu.edu.cn.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Complex injuries of the extremity can be very challenging to treat. In the setting of soft tissue infection and vascular defect, arterial reconstructions are at high risk of failure. Historically, there have not been good options to successfully salvage limbs with these serious injuries. We describe our experience of utilizing a cross limb vessel transfer to salvage the limb. METHODS: Patients were identified retrospectively with complex vascular injuries of the extremity and wound infection, who were treated with a cross limb vessel transfer. Once the infection has successfully been cleared, flow-through flap transfer was performed for definitive reconstruction of the arterial injury. Data collated included patient demographics, injury and operation details, and post-operative outcomes including blood supply of the limb, wound infection and complications. RESULTS: Between April 2014 and January 2017, 3 patients with an average age of 21 years (range, 16-29) were admitted. The median length of hospital stay was 62 days (range, 26-122). The average number of operation was 7.3 times (range, 6-10). Two patients' upper limb had survived with limited movement, relatively minor donor site morbidity and confirmed flow through the vessel reconstruction using CTA, while one patient had lower limb amputation due to severe infection and prolonged ischemia time. CONCLUSIONS: This series of patients demonstrates that cross limb vessel transfer is an invaluable technique to salvage the limb in patients with complex vascular injury and wound infection. However, for lower limb with prolonged ischemia time and severe infection, limb salvage is not recommended.
PURPOSE: Complex injuries of the extremity can be very challenging to treat. In the setting of soft tissue infection and vascular defect, arterial reconstructions are at high risk of failure. Historically, there have not been good options to successfully salvage limbs with these serious injuries. We describe our experience of utilizing a cross limb vessel transfer to salvage the limb. METHODS:Patients were identified retrospectively with complex vascular injuries of the extremity and wound infection, who were treated with a cross limb vessel transfer. Once the infection has successfully been cleared, flow-through flap transfer was performed for definitive reconstruction of the arterial injury. Data collated included patient demographics, injury and operation details, and post-operative outcomes including blood supply of the limb, wound infection and complications. RESULTS: Between April 2014 and January 2017, 3 patients with an average age of 21 years (range, 16-29) were admitted. The median length of hospital stay was 62 days (range, 26-122). The average number of operation was 7.3 times (range, 6-10). Two patients' upper limb had survived with limited movement, relatively minor donor site morbidity and confirmed flow through the vessel reconstruction using CTA, while one patient had lower limb amputation due to severe infection and prolonged ischemia time. CONCLUSIONS: This series of patients demonstrates that cross limb vessel transfer is an invaluable technique to salvage the limb in patients with complex vascular injury and wound infection. However, for lower limb with prolonged ischemia time and severe infection, limb salvage is not recommended.