Objective To investigate the cl inical effect and operative method of local island flap for complex thumb mutilation with soft tissue and blood vessel defect. Methods From May 2003 to March 2006, 6 cases of complex thumb mutilation with soft tissue and blood vessel defect were treated with local island flap. There were 4 males and 2 females aged 14-48 years, with an average of 23.5 years, among whom 2 cases were caused by triangular bandage twist, 3 cases by machinesavulsion and 1 case by explosion. Five cases suffered thumb mutilation of soft and blood vessel defect only, and 1 case was combined with middle and ring finger injures. The defect was located in pulp soft tissue in 4 cases and in dorsal soft tissue in 2 cases, ranging 2.0 cm × 1.2 cm-2.5 cm × 1.8 cm in size. The time from injury to operation varied from 30 minutes to 6 hours. Two cases were replanted with bridging index finger radial is digital artery island, 2 cases were repaired by ring finger radial is digital artery island and 2 cases by index finger near dorsi-flap. The flap was 2.0 cm × 1.4 cm-2.5 cm × 1.8 cm in size. Free-skin graft from forearm was conducted. Results All flaps free skin and replanted thumbs in 6 cases survived completely, following up for 6-24 months after operation. The flaps and thumb had good texture and color match, two-point discrimination was 10-12 mm on thumb pulp and 8-10 mm on flap. All replanted thumb recovered satisfied function, there were no donor site dysfunction. According to the criteria for function assessment of amputated finger issued by the Branch of Hand Surgery of Chinese Medicine Association：4 cases were regarded as excellent and 2 as good. Conclusion Local island flap is capable of repairing complex thumb mutilation with soft tissue and blood vessel defect, maximizing the recovery of thumb appearance and function.
Objective To investigate new classification and repair methods for the traverse amputated fingertip. Methods From March 2000 to October 2006, 20 cases of 20 fingers with traverse amputated fingertip, including 13 males and 7 females aged 17-47 years, were treated. Twenty patients (9 crush injuries, 5 cutting injuries and 6 sawing injuries) were classified into 4 types, namely type I (the distal one third of nail bed), type II (the middle of nail bed), type III (the poximal one third of nail bed), and type IV (the root of nail bed). There were 3 patients (2 index fingers and 1 l ittle finger) of type I, 8 patients (2 thumbs, 3 index fingers and 3 middle fingers) of type II, 5 patients (3 index fingers, 1 ring finger and 1 l ittle finger)of type III, and 4 patients (2 thumbs, 1 middle finger and 1 l ittle finger) of type IV. The soft tissue defect ranged from 1.2 cm × 1.2 cm to 1.5 cm × 1.2 cm. The time from injury to surgery was 3-10 hours. Fingers of type I and type II were treated with forward flow axial flap and modified nail bed lengthening. Fingers of type III and type IV were treated with forward flow axial flap and partial nail bed replantation as well as modified nail bed lengthening. The flaps ranged in size from 1.5 cm × 1.2 cm to 2.0 cm × 1.4 cm. Results Twenty patients incisions healed by first intention and the flaps, nails and skin grafting survived. All donor sites healed by first intention. All patients were followed up for 2-6 months (4 months on average). The appearances of fingertips were good. The texture of the flap was soft, and the fingers had no tenderness and motor disturbance. The two-point discrimination was 4.5-6.5 mm．The finger nails of type I and type II extended 3-4 mm after operation, while the finger nails of type III and type IV extended 8-10 mm after operation. All finger nails were smooth and flat without pain. Hook nail happened in 1 case 6 months after operation. Conclusion Classification of the injured fingers according to the condition of the amputation base is helpful in choosing repair methods, and is conducive to maximize the recovery of the function and shape of fingertips.
Objective To explore the effectiveness of limited small incision with simple Krackow suture in treatment of acute closed Achilles tendon rupture. Methods Between October 2013 and July 2016, 25 cases with acute Achilles tendon rupture were repaired by simple Krackow suture via limited small incision. There were 21 males and 4 females with an average age of 33.6 years (range, 25-39 years). The left side was involved in 15 cases and the right side in 10 cases. The injury caused by sport in 22 cases and by falling in 3 cases. The time from injury to operation was 3-7 days (mean, 4.4 days). Physical examination showed that the Thompson sign and single heel raising test were positive. Results The operation time was 30-60 minutes with an average of 39.2 minutes. All incisions healed by first intention. There was no complication of wound infection, deep vein thrombosis, tendon re-rupture, and sural nerve injury. All patients were followed up 9-20 months (mean, 14.2 months). The ankle and hindfoot score of American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) was 92-97 (mean, 94.9) after 9 months. The AOFAS score results were excellent in 13 cases, good in 9 cases, and fair in 3 cases. The range of motion of ankle joint was 49-58° with an average of 53.7°. All single heel raising tests were negative. Conclusion The method of simple Krackow suture via limited small incision has the advantages of minimal injury, less incidence of re-rupture and sural nerve injury, quicker recovery and so on.
Objective To approach a new procedure of microsurgery to repair thumb fingertip amputation with forward homodigital ulnaris artery flap coverage for bone and nail bed graft. Methods From March 2005 to October 2007, 6 cases of amputated thumb fingertip (6 fingers) were treated, including 4 males and 2 females and aging 23-63 years. Six patients’ (3 crush injuries, 2 cut injuries and 1 other injury) amputated level was at nail root (2 cases), mid-nail (3 cases), and the distalone third of nai bed (1 case). The time from injury to surgery was 3-10 hours, they were treated with forward homodigital ulnaris artery flap coverage for bone and nail bed graft. The flaps size ranged from 1.5 cm × 1.4 cm to 2.0 cm × 1.4 cm. Results All flaps survived. Wound healed in one-stage in 5 cases, and healed in second stage in 1 case because of swell ing. All skin grafting at donor site survived in one-stage. All patients were followed up for 6-8 months. The appearance of flaps were good, and the two-point discrimination was 5-6 mm. Bone graft were healed, the heal ing time was 4-5 weeks. All finger nails were smooth and flat without pain. Conclusion When there was no indication of replantation in thumb fingertip amputation, establ ishing the functional and esthetic construction can be retained with forward homodigital ulnaris artery flap coverage for bone and nail bed graf