To successfully surgically reconstruct osteochondral lesions of the talus, the exact three-dimensional (3D) configuration of the upper articular surface of the talus has to be respected. We assessed the talar geometry by measuring the coronal and sagittal talar edge radius and the frontal talar profile in multiplanar reconstructions of computer tomographic (CT) studies of 79 patients (83 feet) with a healthy ankle joint. An image visualization software designated for coordinate measurement was used to perform the measurement. In the coronal plane, the mean lateral talar edge radius was 4.0 mm and the medial 4.5 mm. In the sagittal planes the mean lateral talar edge radius was 20.3 mm, the radius of the sulcus 20.7 mm and the medial talar edge radius 20.4 mm. The talus showed a concave shape in coronal cuts. These results show a significant difference between medial and lateral talar edge configuration in coronal planes. The measurements of the lateral and medial sagittal radius and the mid-sagittal radius in the sulcus tali show no statistically significant difference. The depth of the talar sulcus shows no correlation to age or sex. Different sizes of custom-made tissue-engineered grafts according to the location of the osteochondral lesion at the talus are needed for exact surgical reconstruction of the anatomy. Osteochondral lesions are three dimensional; therefore, a 3D preoperative planning tool by CT scan or MRI is mandatory.

Abstrct Consecutive or simultaneous contralateral breast reduction is a frequent request from patients undergoing unilateral breast reconstruction. Both procedures can be combined using otherwise discarded tissue as a split breast graft for reconstruction of the contralateral side. There have been few reports on the use of pedicled split breast grafts. We present a 75‐year‐old female with multicentric mammary carcinoma following chemotherapy, mastectomy, axillary lymph node dissection and radiotherapy. She requested a reconstruction of the left breast as well as reduction of the right breast. Risk factors, including heavy alcohol and tobacco dependence and COPD, limited the surgical options. While a free flap breast reconstruction was the standard feasible option, we opted for a procedure with minimal surgery‐related morbidity. The right breast was evidently tumor‐free, and the patient had no family history of breast cancer. Reconstruction was performed 22 months postmastectomy. The split‐breast free flap was based on the right internal mammary artery (IMA) perforator and harvested during the right‐sided breast reduction. Microsurgical anastomosis was performed on the IMA perforator on the left side. Mastopexy was performed on the right side and the nipple‐areola complex (NAC) was transferred to its new position as a free graft to complete the breast reduction. A tattoo of the left NAC was performed 4 months postreconstruction. There was complete flap survival with a pleasant cosmetic result. Split breast reconstruction could be an alternative to more common procedures. However, this approach is only feasible in patients with hypertrophic contralateral breast and absence of risk factors for developing a second primary breast cancer.

No abstract

The reconstruction of defects of the perianal area and vagina places a high demand on a reconstructive surgeon. Different reconstructive methods include a skin graft, a local skin flap, a musculocutaneous flap, and a pedicled perforator flap. Here, we report the case of a 59‐year‐old female patient with a pelvic defect, who underwent reconstruction with a quadruplet combination of pedicled flaps from the medial thigh, due to an extensive resection of a recurrence of a squamous cell carcinoma of the anus, vulva, and partially the colon. The surgical oncologist performed a rectum amputation, a partial colectomy, a complete hysterectomy, and a resection of the dorso‐lateral vaginal vault in order to achieve tumor‐free margins. The resulting defect measured 14 × 11 cm2 with 8 cm of deep space. The defect was covered and reconstructed by employing a bilateral pedicled gracilis muscle flap rotated about 120° and advanced to fill up the residual spare space in the deep and a bilateral vertical posteromedial thigh (vPMT) using a propeller flap measuring 27 × 10 cm2 rotated 180° in order to reconstruct the vagina and the perianal area. All flaps survived without major post‐operative complications. The donor site morbidity was minimal. The range of motion was not limited over both hip and knee joints. Patient had no problem with urination. Sexual intercourse was not highly considered due to patient's old age. The follow‐up at 6 months showed acceptable cosmetic results with a satisfying contour of the coverage and reconstructed area. The combination of pedicled gracilis muscle flap and vPMT propeller flap may represent a valuable option in such a defect where deep space obliteration and reconstruction of the vagina with perianal contouring are needed.

We describe a young man who suffered a severe mutilating injury of the hand and forearm while working as a cheesemaker. He underwent a complex reconstruction of his right adominant hand including a heterotopic thumb replantation into the distal radius and combined with an emergency flow-through anterolateral thigh flap.