Objective To investigate the operative method and cl inical efficacy of repairing fingertip defect with modified reverse homodigital artery island flap. Methods From March 2000 to September 2006, 18 cases (24 fingers) of fingertip defect were treated, including 12 males and 6 females aged 18-53 years (mean 29 years). Defect was caused by crush injuries in 12 cases, by avulsion injury in 3 cases, by twist injury in 2 cases and by incised injury in 1 case. The time from injury tooperation was 2-8 hours (mean 4 hours). The location were index fingers (3 fingers), middle fingers (4 fingers) and ring fingers (17 fingers). The defects of soft tissue were 1.9 cm × 1.7 cm to 2.4 cm × 1.9 cm in size, the reverse homodigital artery island flaps were from 2.0 cm × 1.5 cm to 2.5 cm × 2.0 cm in size. The donor site was repaired with dumped skin grafting(3 cases) and with skin grafting from medial area of planta pedis (15 cases). Results Skin flaps and skin grafting of all the 24 fingers survived after operation. All incisions and donor sites healed by first intention. Sixteen patients (22 fingers) were followed up for 1-5 years (mean 3.2 years).The appearance and function of the flaps were all satisfactory. Two-point discriminations of flaps ranged from 4.5 mm to 6.3 mm. According to the total active movement/total passive movement assessment criteria, the results were excellent in 20 fingers and good in 2 fingers; and the excellent and good rate was 100%. The circumference of donor site was 2.0-3.5 mm shorter than that of normal side. The two-point discriminations of donor site was 7.8-10.5 mm. Conclusion Repairing defect of fingertip with modified reverse homodigital artery island flap can provide good texture and contour matching the recipient area, good function and l ittle trauma at donor site.
Objective To analyze the effectiveness and advantages of the microsurgical repair of flexor tendon rupture with non-knot Kessler suture method in anastomotic stoma by comparing with the method of traditional Kessler suture. Methods Between February 2005 and February 2010, 122 patients (163 fingers with 243 flexor digital tendons) with flexor tendon rupture, were treated with microsurgical repair by non-knot Kessler suture method (treatment group); flexor tendon was sutured, and sodium hyaluronate was used to repair tendon membrane, tendon sheaths, and the tissue surroundingtendons. The cl inical data were analysed, and were compared with ones from 96 patients (130 fingers with 186 flexor digital tendons) with flexor tendon rupture treated with traditional Kessler suture between February 2001 and February 2005 (control group). There was no significant difference in gender, age, cause of injury, injury site, duration, and other general information between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). Kleinert elastic traction therapy (dynamic-protection) was performed at 3 weeks after surgery, and the finger function exercise was done after 24 hours. Results Infection of incision occurred in 2 cases of the treatment group and in 5 cases of the control group, and were cured after 2 weeks of dressing change; the other incisions healed by first intention. The patients were followed up 6 to 14 months (mean, 9 months). In the treatment group, the total active movement (TAM) was (192.0 ± 13.1)°; the results were excellent in 54 cases, good in 58 cases, moderate in 8 cases, and poor in 2 cases with an excellent and good rate of 92%. In the control group, TAM was (170.0 ± 15.2)°; the results were excellent in 23 cases, good in 30 cases, moderate in 22 cases, and poor in 21 cases with an excellent and good rate of 55%. Significant difference in TAM was found between 2 groups (P lt; 0.01). Conclusion The microsurgical repair of flexor tendon with non-knot Kessler suture method in anastomotic stoma with repair of tendon membrane, tendon sheaths, and the tissue surrounding tendons is more effective than the traditional Kessler suture, but long-term effectiveness still needs further observation.
Objective To observe the clinical effects of neurovascular island flap from the same finger for repairing pulp defect. Methods From November 2003 to February 2005, 32 pulp defects in 30 cases were covered with neurovascular island flap from the same finger.There were 25 males and 5 females. The age ranged from 18 to 56 years. The operation was performedafter debridement and 2-8 days antibiotics therapy. The defect area ranged from 1.5 cm×1.2 cm to 3.5 cm×2.1 cm. The flap was harvested on the dorsal part ofthe finger ularly or radially. The distal end of the flap should be more than 5mm away from the nail base to avoid nail injury. The ventral and dorsal cut should not exceed the middle line respectively. The flap size ranged from 2.0 cm×1.5 cm to4.0 cm×2.5 cm. The donor site was covered with flap of subdermal vascular plexus from the medial side of the upper arm. Results All 32 transferred flaps survived after operation. There was no vascular crisis. Twentyfive cases were followed up from 2 to 8 months. The flaps had good appearance and texture and blood circulation. Two-point discrimination was 7-10 mm. The function of finger motion was returned to normal. Conclusion Transfer of neurovascular island flap from the same finger offered a sensational skin flap for reconstruction of pulp defect. The technique was simple, andthe clinical result was satisfactory. It is an ideal method for reconstruction of thumb or finger pulp defects.
OBJECTIVE: To discuss the indication of replantation of destructive amputation of multiple fingers for improvement of the function of injured fingers. METHODS: From February 1996 to August 1999, 23 amputated fingers in 8 cases were shortened and replanted. The crushed digital bones were fixed by Kirschner wires, flexor tendons repaired by Kessler suture technique, and digital extensor tendons repaired by mattress suture. The arteries and veins were anastomosed in each finger at the ratio of 1 to 2 or 2 to 3. The defect of blood vessels was repaired by free graft of autologous veins in 5 fingers. All of the cases were followed up for 10 to 18 months, and clinical evaluation was performed. RESULTS: All replanted fingers survived in the 8 cases, with good sensation, two point discrimination of 6 to 12 mm, and satisfied function, such as pinching, grasping and hooking. The fingers were shortened for 2.6 cm in average, ranging from 2.2 cm to 4.0 cm. CONCLUSION: Multiple digits replantation by shortening fingers is beneficial to functional restoration of segmental destructive fingers.
Patients receiving venous skin grafts having 3 different patterns of nutrient supply were introduced. It was considered that the venous skin graft had contain role in the repair of skin defects of fingers and dorsum of hands. The mechanism of the survival of the venous skin graft was discussed. It was assumed that, in the early stage, the skin nutrient was possibly in relation with the effusion or exudation from the wound surface, and in the later stage, depended upon the collateral circulation established with the surrounding tissues.
Objective To investigate the operative procedure and the clinical results of the island flap based on the vascular chain of the cutaneous branch of dorsal metacarpal artery for repairing finger soft tissue defect. Methods Between January 2008 and March 2012, 28 cases of tissue defect of fingers (32 fingers) were repaired with the island flaps based on the vascular chain of the cutaneous branch of dorsal metacarpal artery. There were 20 males (23 fingers) and 8 females (9 fingers), with an average age of 29.5 years (range, 14-67 years). The injury causes included 14 cases of crush injury, 6 cases of pressing injury, 5 cases of cutting injury, and 3 cases of avulsion injury. The locations included 10 index fingers, 13 long fingers, 6 ring fingers, and 3 little fingers. There were 9 defects of proximal segment, 12 defects of middle segment, and 11 defects of distal segment. The area of defect ranged from 1.0 cm × 0.8 cm to 5.2 cm × 3.5 cm. The disease duration was 1 hour to 15 days. The area of flaps ranged from 1.2 cm × 1.0 cm to 5.5 cm × 3.8 cm. The donors were closed by suture or were repaired with skin graft. Results Tense blister occurred in 3 cases, which was cured after dressing change; the other flaps survived. Wound obtained primary healing. Twenty-five patients (27 fingers) were followed up 6-25 months (mean, 16.8 months). The flaps had soft texture and satisfactory appearance. Two point discrimination was 6-9 mm (mean, 7.7 mm) at 6 months after operation. The total active movement of fingers was 105-230° (mean, 204.6°). The results were excellent in 17 fingers, good in 8 fingers, and fair in 2 fingers with an excellent and good rate of 92.6%. Conclusion The island flap based on the vascular chain of the cutaneous branch of dorsal metacarpal artery has the advantages of the deverting point from the dorsal point to the palm, the extended vessel pedicle, and expanded operation indications, so it is not necessary to cut the dorsal metacarpal artery. It can be used to repair finger tissue defect.
Double adjacent-finger skin flap could be used to treat severe cicatricial contracture of fingers with resultant complete release of contracture and good coverage of raw surface. From the follow-up, it was noted that the appearance of the fingers following treatment looked nice, no recurrence of contracture in the late stage, and partial sensation of the fingers could be recovered as well. It had no ill-effect on the donor fingers, The method was simple and reliable,from 1987, a total of 4 cases had been done,and the functional recovery wassatisfactory.
Objective To investigate the effectiveness of ipsilateral digital proper artery dorsal branch flap to repair mid-phalanx degloving injury with distal segment finger defect. Methods Between February 2013 and July 2016, 11 cases (11 fingers) of mid-phalanx degloving injury with distal segment finger defect were treated. There were 9 males and 2 females with an average age of 33.6 years (range, 18-59 years). The injury caused by twisting in 8 cases and crushing in 3 cases. The injury located at index finger in 3 cases, middle finger in 6 cases, and ring finger in 2 cases. The skin avulsion was from proximal interphalangeal joint in 1 case, proximal 1/4 of mid-phalanx in 6 cases, and 1/2 of mid-phalanx in 4 cases. The area of wounds ranged from 4.0 cm×1.7 cm to 6.2 cm×2.6 cm. The interval between injury and operation was 2.5-6.0 hours (mean, 4.5 hours). All defects were repaired with the ipsilateral digital proper artery dorsal branch flaps. The size of flaps ranged from 4.4 cm×1.9 cm to 7.0 cm×2.9 cm. Nerve anastomose was carried between digital proper nerve dorsal branch in the flap and digital proper nerve stump in the wound. The donor sites were repaired by skin grafting. Results Tension blisters of the flap and partial necrosis occurred in 1 case, and healed after dressing change. The other flaps and skin grafting survived, and wounds healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 6-18 months (mean, 16 months). The texture and appearance of all the flaps were satisfactory. At 6 months after operation, two-point discrimination of flaps ranged from 7 to 10 mm (mean, 8.5 mm). At last follow-up, according to the functional assessment criteria of upper limbs by the Branch of Hand Surgery of Chinese Medicine Association, the results were excellent in 10 cases and good in 1 case, with the excellent and good rate of 100%. Conclusion The ipsilateral digital proper artery dorsal branch flap is a good method to repair mid-phalanx degloving injury with distal segment finger defect for the advantages of simple operation, less damage in donor site, high survival rate of the flap, and good feeling recovery of the finger.
Objective To discuss the effectiveness of free toe fibular-dorsal artery flap anastomosed to dorsal digital artery in repairing dorsal soft tissue defect of fingers. Methods Between May 2010 and September 2015, 28 patients with dorsal soft tissue defect of fingers were treated, including 17 males and 11 females with an average age of 23.8 years (range, 15-55 years). The reasons of injuries were machine twist (15 cases), heavy pound (4 cases), the sharp cut (5 cases), and hot crush (4 cases). The time from injury to admission was 30 minutes to 12 hours (mean, 1.5 hours). The involved fingers included thumb (3 cases), index finger (8 cases), middle finger (6 cases), ring finger (6 cases), and little finger (5 cases). The area of soft tissue defects ranged from 2.0 cm×1.5 cm to 3.5 cm×2.5 cm, and the area of free toe fibular-dorsal artery flap ranged from 2.8 cm×1.7 cm to 3.8 cm×2.8 cm. The blood supply of the flaps were reconstructed by anastomosing the toe fibular-dorsal artery, vein, and nerve to the dorsal digital artery, vein, and nerve, respectively. The donor site was repaired by free skin graft. Results The operation time was 1.5-5.5 hours (mean, 2.5 hours); the blood loss during operation was 10-50 mL (mean, 30 mL). Vessel crisis occurred in 1 case, and the flap survived after symptomatic treatment. The other flaps survived and the wounds healed with stage I; the skin grafts at donor site survived and the incisions healed with stage Ⅰ. Twenty-eight cases were followed up 6-24 months (mean, 8 months). The appearance of flaps was good, and two-point discrimination was 3.5-12.0 mm (mean, 5.3 mm) at 6 months after operation. The fingers function of grab and pinch recovered. According to the standard functional evaluation issued by Hand Surgery Association of Chinese Medical Association, the results were excellent in 20 cases and good in 8 cases, with an excellent and good rate of 100% at 6 months after operation. The donor sites of toe were smooth and had no depression. The patients had normal gait. Conclusion Free toe fibular-dorsal artery flap anastomosed to dorsal digital artery in repairing dorsal soft tissue defect of fingers can obtain satisfactory effectiveness in appearance and function of fingers, and has the advantages of modified repair and less injury at donor site.
Objective To investigate the method and cl inical outcomes of repairing the skin and tissue defect of the finger pulp with transverse digital palmar island flap. Methods From August 2007 to September 2008, 9 patients with skin and tissue defects of the finger pulp were treated, including 6 males and 3 females aged 18-48 years old. The defect was caused bycrush injury by machine in 6 cases, pressure injury by heavy objects in 2 cases, and abrasion injury by grinding wheel in 1 case. The defect was located in the index finger in 4 cases, the middle finger in 2 cases, the ring finger in 3 cases, the proximal phalanx in 1 case, the middle phalanx in 7 cases, and the distal phalanx in 1 case. The defect size ranged from 1.3 cm × 1.0 cm to 2.5 cm × 1.5 cm. The defect was compl icated with unilateral blood vessel and nerve defect in 8 cases, bone fracture in 2 cases, and tendon exposure in 5 cases. The time between injury and hospital admission was 20 minutes-14 hours. Transverse digital palmar island flaps (2.0 cm × 1.2 cm-4.0 cm × 1.7 cm) were used to repair the soft tissue defect during operation. The donor site was repaired with full-thickness skin graft. Results All the flaps and skin graft at the donor site survived uneventfully. All the wounds healed by first intention. Nine patients were followed up for 6-17 months. The appearance of the flaps was similar to that of the uninjured side, there was no occurrence of obvious pigmentation and scar contracture, and the two-point discrimination value was 8-11 mm. According to the function evaluation standard for the replantation of severed finger by Chinese Medical Association Hand Surgery Academy, 8 cases were graded as excellent, 1 as good. Conclusion Repairing the skin and tissue defects in the finger pulp of middle and distal phalanx with transverse digital palmar island flap can simpl ify the operation procedure, reduce the suffering of the patient, and provide satisfying therapeutic effect.