The 'Double hit': Free tissue transfer is optimal in comorbid population with irradiated wounds for successful limb salvage
Autor: | Kenneth L. Fan, Romina Deldar, Karen K. Evans, Elizabeth G. Zolper, Cara K. Black, Peter Wirth, Kyle Luvisa |
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Rok vydání: | 2021 |
Předmět: |
Male
Chronic wound medicine.medical_specialty medicine.medical_treatment Population Comorbidity 030230 surgery Dehiscence Free Tissue Flaps Prosthesis 03 medical and health sciences Wound care Postoperative Complications 0302 clinical medicine Fibrosis Early Medical Intervention medicine Humans Thrombophilia Radiation Injuries education Aged Peripheral Vascular Diseases Wound Healing education.field_of_study business.industry Vascular disease Leg Ulcer Plastic Surgery Procedures Limb Salvage medicine.disease Surgery Outcome and Process Assessment Health Care Amputation 030220 oncology & carcinogenesis Hypertension Female medicine.symptom business |
Zdroj: | Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery. 74:1246-1252 |
ISSN: | 1748-6815 |
Popis: | Summary Background Radiation therapy causes histopathologic changes in tissues, including fibrosis, loss of tissue planes, and vascular damage, which can lead to chronic wound formation. Patients with nonhealing, irradiated wounds and comorbidities that affect microvasculature suffer a "double hit", which leads to delayed wound healing. Local wound care and grafts are commonly insufficient. In this study, we evaluated limb salvage outcomes and long-term complications after free tissue transfer (FTT) in patients with chronic, irradiated leg wounds. Methods We retrospectively reviewed patients with irradiated lower extremity wounds who underwent FTT from 2012 to 2017. Primary outcomes included limb salvage, ambulation, and overall flap success. Reconstruction involved complete excision of irradiated tissue and coverage with well-vascularized tissue. Results Seven free flaps in six patients were identified. Average age was 68.4 years and average BMI was 27.8 kg/m2. Comorbid conditions included hypertension (57.1%), peripheral vascular disease (57.1%), underlying hypercoagulability (42.9%), diabetes (14.3%), and tobacco use (14.3%). Wounds were present for an average of 25.5 months prior to FTT. Donor sites included anterolateral thigh (71.4%), vastus lateralis (14.3%), and latissimus dorsi (14.3%). Overall flap success rate was 100% with one patient requiring reoperation for dehiscence. Limb salvage rate was 85.7% with one patient undergoing elective amputation due to pain. All patients could ambulate (one used a prosthesis) at a mean follow-up time of 1.4 years. Conclusions Radiation therapy in a comorbid population often leads to the formation of chronic nonhealing wounds. We advocate for earlier consideration of FTT to provide healthy vascularized tissues, thereby avoiding prolonged wound care and patient burden. Successful limb salvage outcomes can be achieved. |
Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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