Introduction: Deep sternal wound infections (DSWI) after cardiac surgery pose a significant challenge in reconstructive surgery. In this context, free flaps represent well-established options. The objective of this study was to investigate the clinical outcome after free myocutaneous tensor fasciae latae (TFL) flap reconstruction of sternal defects, with a special focus on surgical complications and donor-site morbidity. Methods: A retrospective chart review focused on patient demographics, operative details, and postoperative complications. Follow-up reexaminations included assessments of the range of motion and muscle strength at the donor-site. Patients completed the Quality of Life 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) as well as the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) questionnaire and evaluated aesthetic and functional outcomes on a 6-point Likert scale. The Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) and the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scales (POSAS) were used to rate scar appearance. Results: A total of 46 patients (mean age: 67 ± 11 years) underwent sternal defect reconstruction with free TFL flaps between January 2010 and March 2021. The mean defect size was 194 ± 43 cm². The mean operation time was 387 ± 120 min with a flap ischemia time of 63 ± 16 min. Acute microvascular complications due to flap pedicle thromboses occurred in three patients (7%). All flaps could be salvaged without complete flap loss. Partial flap loss of the distal TFL portion was observed in three patients (7%). All three patients required additional reconstruction with pedicled or local flaps. Upon follow-up, the range of motion (hip joint extension/flexion (p = 0.73), abduction/adduction (p = 0.29), and internal/external rotation (p = 0.07)) and muscle strength at the donor-sites did not differ from the contralateral sides (p = 0.25). Patient assessments of aesthetic and functional outcomes, as well as the median SF-36 (physical component summary (44, range of 33 to 57)) and LEFS (54, range if 35 to 65), showed good results with respect to patient comorbidities. The median VSS (3, range of 2 to 7) and POSAS (24, range of 18 to 34) showed satisfactory scar quality and scar appearance. Conclusion: The free TFL flap is a reliable, effective, and, therefore, valuable option for the reconstruction of extensive sternal defects in critically ill patients suffering from DSWIs. In addition, the TFL flap shows satisfactory functional and aesthetic results at the donor-site.

Introduction: Hypercoagulability is associated with an increased risk of microvascular complications and free flap failures. The authors present their experience and approach to diagnosing and treating patients with heterozygotic factor V Leiden (hFVL) thrombophilia undergoing free flap reconstruction. Methods: Between November 2009 and June 2018, 23 free flap surgeries were performed in 15 hypercoagulable patients with hFVL. According to the timing of perioperative hypercoagulability work-up, they were grouped into flaps with established diagnoses prior to surgery (Group A) versus flaps with unknown diagnoses prior to surgery (Group B). Baseline characteristics and perioperative complications were compared between both groups, including revision surgeries due to microvascular thromboses, acute bleedings, hematomas, flap necroses, and reconstructive failures. Results: HFVL mutations had been confirmed preoperatively in 14 free flap surgeries (61%, Group A), whereas in 9 free flap surgeries (39%, Group B), mutations were only diagnosed postoperatively after the occurrence of microvascular thromboses had warranted extended hypercoagulability work-up. The overall rate of intraoperative flap thromboses was 9% (n = 2), whereas the overall rate of postoperative flap thromboses was 43% (n = 10). The corresponding salvage rates were 100% (n = 2/2) for intraoperative and 40% (n = 4/10) for postoperative pedicle thromboses. A total of five free flaps were lost (22%). Upon comparison, flaps with an unconfirmed diagnosis prior to surgery were at ten times higher risk for developing total necroses (flaps lost in Group B = 4/9 versus Group A = 1/14; OR: 10.4; 95% CI 1.0, 134.7; p = 0.03). Conclusion: Meticulous preoperative work-up of patients with any history of hypercoagulability can help reduce free flap loss rates, thus improving surgical outcomes and increasing patient safety.

Microsurgical breast reconstruction demands the highest level of expertise in both reconstructive and aesthetic plastic surgery. Implementation of such a complex surgical procedure is generally associated with a learning curve defined by higher complication rates at the beginning. The aim of this study was to present an approach for teaching deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) and transverse upper gracilis (TUG) flap breast reconstruction, which can diminish complications and provide satisfying outcomes from the beginning. DIEP and TUG flap procedures for breast reconstruction were either performed by a senior surgeon (>200 DIEP/TUG, ”no-training group”), or taught to one of five trainees (>80 breast surgeries; >50 free flaps) in a step-wise approach. The latter were either performed by the senior surgeon, and a trainee was assisting the surgery (“passive training”); by the trainee, and a senior surgeon was supervising (“active training”); or by the trainee without a senior surgeon (“after training”). Surgeries of each group were analyzed regarding OR-time, complications, and refinement procedures. A total of 95 DIEP and 93 TUG flaps were included into this study. Before the first DIEP/TUG flap without supervision, each trainee underwent a mean of 6.8 DIEP and 7.3 TUG training surgeries (p > 0.05). Outcome measures did not reveal any statistically significant differences (passive training/active training/after training/no-training: OR-time (min): DIEP: 331/351/338/304 (p > 0.05); TUG: 229/214/239/217 (p > 0.05); complications (n): DIEP: 6/13/16/11 (p > 0.05); TUG: 6/19/23/11 (p > 0.05); refinement procedures (n): DIEP:71/63/49/44 (p > 0.05); TUG: 65/41/36/56 (p > 0.05)), indicating safe and secure implementation of this step-wise training approach for microsurgical breast reconstruction in both aesthetic and reconstructive measures. Of note, despite being a perforator flap, DIEP flap required no more training than TUG flap, highlighting the importance of flap inset at the recipient site.

Zusammenfassung: Hintergrund Freie Muskellappenplastiken zur Rekonstruktion großer Weichteildefekte sind neben fasziokutanen Lappenplastiken etablierte mikrochirurgische Standardverfahren. Diese werden häufig mit adipokutanen Monitorinseln zur Durchblutungskontrolle geplant. In unserer Klinik werden sowohl konventionelle, breitbasig aufsitzende adipokutane Monitorinseln (random pattern), als auch perforatorbasierte Monitorinseln verwendet. Während konventionelle Monitorinseln in einer zweiten Operation abgetragen werden müssen und der verbliebene Defekt mit Spalthauttransplantaten versorgt werden muss, können perforatorbasierte Monitorinseln am Patientenbett mittels einfacher Ligatur entfernt werden. In der vorliegenden Studie sollen ökonomische, versorgungsqualitative und ästhetische Aspekte perforatorbasierter versus herkömmlicher adipokutaner Monitorinseln nach freiem Muskellappentransfer verglichen werden. Patienten und Methoden Im Zeitraum von August 2014 bis Juli 2016 konnten anhand einer retrospektiven Datenanalyse 102 geeignete Patienten identifiziert werden. Patienten mit perforatorbasierter Monitorinsel (Gruppe A) wurden einem Kollektiv von Patienten mit breitbasig aufsitzender Monitorinsel (Gruppe B) gegenübergestellt. Patientencharakteristika, Operationszeiten, ökonomische Daten und ästhetische Ergebnisse wurden zwischen den Gruppen verglichen. Ergebnisse Bei 72 Patienten wurden perforatorbasierte (Gruppe A, 71 %), bei 30 Patienten konventionelle (Gruppe B, 29 %) Monitorinseln gehoben. Patienten-, Defekt- und Lappencharakteristika waren in beiden Gruppen vergleichbar. Operations- und Säulenzeit waren in Gruppe B tendenziell kürzer, jedoch ohne statistische Signifikanz zu erreichen (p = 0,35; p = 0,28). Die Entfernung der Monitorinsel in Gruppe A erfolgte signifikant früher (p < 0,01). Sowohl die gesamtstationäre als auch die postrekonstruktive Verweildauer waren in Gruppe A signifikant kürzer (p = 0,03; p < 0,01). Personelle und materielle Ressourcen konnten in Gruppe A geschont und ein ästhetisch ansprechenderes Ergebnis erzielt werden. Schlussfolgerung Mit perforatorbasierten Monitorinseln kann eine zweite Operation zur Monitorinselabtragung und Hauttransplantation vermieden werden. Hierdurch kann eine Reduktion der stationären Verweildauern mit Schonung der materiellen und personellen Ressourcen erreicht werden.