Objective To introduce the surgical procedure and indication of the dorsoulnar arterial retrograde flap of the thumb in repair of soft tissue defect. Methods From March 2000 to March 2001, 12 cases of soft tissue defect with exposed bone at the distal thumb were involved. Ten flaps were pedicled distally at the proximal rotation point, 25 cm proximal to the cuticule. Two flaps were pedicled distally at the distal rotation point, 1.0 cm proximal to the cuticule. The flaps harvested in this study were 1.1 cm×1.3 cm to 1.8 cm×2.5 cm.Results All the flaps survived. After an follow-up of 2 to 14 months postoperatively, the appearance of the thumbs were satisfactory, except those of 2 thumbs repaired by the flaps transferred at the distal rotation point, which were bulkiness because of theuncovered pedicle. In 6 cases, the defect of finger pulp was repaired, and the 2point discrimination was measured 810 mm. The same range of motion of the thumb IP joint were observed in both sides in all cases.Conclusion The optimal indication of the procedure is soft tissue defect at the distal thumb.
ObjectiveTo summarize the effectiveness of delayed skin-stretching device in treatment of skin and soft tissue defects.MethodsBetween December 2014 and December 2016, 10 cases of skin and soft tissue defects were treated with delayed skin-stretching device. There were 6 males and 4 females with an average age of 53 years (range, 42-64 years). The skin and soft tissue defects were caused by acute trauma in 6 cases. The incision could not be closed directly after making incisions because of osseous fascia syndrome in 3 cases. The skin soft tissue defect caused after huge carbuncle incision and drainage in 1 case. The defect located at thigh in 4 cases, lower leg in 3 cases, upper arm in 2 cases, back in 1 case. The defect area ranged from 10 cm×4 cm to 22 cm×12 cm. Pinch test was performed on the wound margin, which confirmed that the wound could not be closed directly.ResultsTension blisters were found in 3 cases during traction, and no complications such as impaired blood circulation or skin necrosis occurred in all cases. Skin defects closed directly after continuously stretching for 7-18 days. No skin graft or free flap repair was performed in all patients. The wound healed well after operation. All the 10 patients were followed up 5-8 months (mean, 6.5 months). There was no necrosis around the wound margin and the scar was linear. The sensation and function were not affected.ConclusionDelayed skin-stretching device is an effective method to treat skin and soft tissue defects, which has the advantages of simple operation, lower risk of operation, less complications, and reliable effectiveness.