Objective To establish a new operative method to repair defects of palm and proximal fingers with double vascular pedicle flaps. Methods From August 1992 to June 2000, 20 cases of soft tissue defects of palm and fingers were repaired with double vascular pedicle flaps. Twenty patients included 9 males and 11 females, aged 17-35 years. The causes were crush,avulsion, and so on. The interval between injury and operation was 3-11 hours.The wound area ranged from 8 cm×12 cm to 10 cm×20 cm. We devised the two side flaps on pectoral-umbilical place with well-known blood vessel to cover flexion and extension regions of palm and the multi-lobes skin flap to cover defect of fingers simultaneously. Results Out of 20 patients, 19 were followed up 8-12 months with an average of 9.8 months. All the flaps survived completely. The skin colour and the contour of the palm and digits were good. Conclusion The double vascular pedicle flap is one of the best choices torepair soft tissue defect of the palm and proximal fingers; the procedure is simple and the operation is extended easily.
Objective To discuss the advantages and disadvantages of flaps in therepairment of soft tissue defects in upper extremity. Methods Based on the 2 609 cases of flaps in 2 512 patients from 1995 to 2004,the advantages and disadvantages of different sort of flaps, outcomes of treatment and indications of different soft of flaps were analyzed retrospectively. In the series, 2 089 pieces of the traditional flaps of different sorts were applied in 1 992 patients, 474 piecesof the axial flaps of different sorts were applied in 474 patients, different sorts of free flaps were used in 46 patients. Results Follow-ups were done for 1 month to 9 years (2.7 months in average). 2 531 flaps survived (97.01%); complete necrosis occurred in 10 flaps(0.38%); partial necrosis occurred in 68 flaps(2.61%). Of the 2 089 traditional flaps, 46 had partial necrosis(2.2%); 687 needed flap revisions(32.9%). Of the 474 axial flaps, 28 had complete or partial necrosis(5.9%); 82 needed revisions(17.3%). Of the 46 free flaps, 4 had complete or partial necrosis(8.7%) and nearly all the anterolateral flpas of thighs needed revisions.Conclusion Traditional flaps had the advantages of easy manipulation and the highest survival rate, however, also had the disadvantages of poor texture and many timesof operations. The flap with a pedicle had the advantage of good texture, consistent artery, free-range arc, however, the venous congestion was its disadvantage, which impaired the survival of the reverse flap. Free flap had the advantage ofgood texture and abandant donor site, but complicate manipulation was its shortage. Axial Flap with a pedicle is the optional choicefor repairing soft tissue defects in upper extremity.
Objective To study the repair and function reconstruction of complex soft tissue defect of posterior of hand and forearm. Methods From May 2001 to November 2003, 8 cases of soft tissue defect of posterior of hand and forearm were repaired with thoracico abdominal flaps with hilum for primary stage. The tendon transplantation and allogeneic tendon function reconstruction of hand were performed for secondary stage. The range of the flap was 9 cm×15 cm to 12cm×38 cm. Allogeneic tendon amounted to 6.Results All the flaps survived. The flap countour was good. The results of allogeneic tendon transplantation were satisfactory and the function of hand was good. Conclusion Repairing complex soft tissue defect of posterior of hand and forearm and reconstructing hand function by use of thoracico abdominal flaps with hilum and transplantation of allogeneic tendon have the satisfactory clinical results.
Objective To explore the method and effectiveness of index finger proximal dorsal island flap supplied by the nutrient vessels of superficial branch of radial nerve for treatment of thumb skin and soft tissue defect. Methods Between August 2019 and December 2024, 12 patients with thumb skin and soft tissue defects caused by trauma accompanied by variation of the first dorsal metacarpal artery were treated. There were 8 males and 4 females, aged 19-55 years, with an average age of 32 years. The wound area ranged from 2.2 cm×2.0 cm to 5.5 cm×3.5 cm. The time from injury to operation ranged from 1.5 to 6.0 hours, with an average of 4.5 hours. After thorough debridement, the wound was repaired with a index finger proximal dorsal island flap supplied by the nutrient vessels of the superficial branch of the radial nerve. The flap area ranged from 2.4 cm×2.2 cm to 6.0 cm×4.0 cm. The donor site was repaired with free skin grafting. Regular follow-up was conducted postoperatively to observe the appearance, texture, sensory recovery of the flap, and the condition of the donor site. Results The operation time ranged from 30 to 72 minutes, with an average of 47 minutes; intraoperative blood loss ranged from 30 to 70 mL, with an average of 46 mL. After operation, partial necrosis occurred at the skin edge of the radial incision on the dorsum of the hand in 1 case, which healed after dressing changes; all other flaps survived uneventfully, with primary wound healing. The skin grafts at the donor sites all survived. All 12 patients were followed up 5-36 months, with an average of 14 months. The appearance and texture of the flaps were good. At last follow-up, the two-point discrimination of the flaps ranged from 4 to 9 mm, with an average of 5.2 mm. According to the functional evaluation criteria for upper limb issued by the Hand Surgery Society of Chinese Medical Association, the results were excellent in 11 cases and good in 1 case. No scar contracture, pain, or joint movement limitation was observed at the donor sites. Conclusion For patients with skin and soft tissue defects of the thumb accompanied by variation of the first dorsal metacarpal artery, the index finger proximal dorsal island flap supplied by the nutrient vessels of the superficial branch of the radial nerve can be selected. This method has advantages such as shorter operation time, less intraoperative bleeding, and good postoperative appearance and sensation of the flap.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of different flaps for repair of severe palm scar contracture deformity. MethodsBetween February 2013 and March 2015, thirteen cases of severe palm scar contracture deformity were included in the retrospective review. There were 10 males and 3 females, aged from 14 to 54 years (mean, 39 years). The causes included burn in 9 cases, hot-crush injury in 2 cases, chemical burn in 1 case, and electric burn in 1 case. The disease duration was 6 months to 6 years (mean, 2.3 years). After excising scar, releasing contracture and interrupting adherent muscle and tendon, the soft tissues and skin defects ranged from 6.0 cm×4.5 cm to 17.0 cm×7.5 cm. The radial artery retrograde island flap was used in 2 cases, the pedicled abdominal flaps in 4 cases, the thoracodorsal artery perforator flap in 2 cases, the anterolateral thigh flap in 1 case, and the scapular free flap in 4 cases. The size of flap ranged from 6.0 cm×4.5 cm to 17.0 cm×7.5 cm. ResultsAll flaps survived well. Venous thrombosis of the pedicled abdominal flaps occurred in 1 case, which was cured after dressing change, and healing by first intention was obtained in the others. The mean follow-up time was 8 months (range, 6-14 months). Eight cases underwent operation for 1-3 times to make the flap thinner. At last follow-up, the flaps had good color, and the results of appearance and function were satisfactory. ConclusionSevere palm scar contracture deformity can be effectively repaired by proper application of different flaps.
Objective To explore the feasibility and effectiveness of using the superior lateral genicular artery (SLGA) perforator propeller flap to reconstruct soft-tissue defects around the knee joint. Methods Between October 2013 and May 2019, 10 patients underwent repairing of soft-tissue defects around the knee joint using the SLGA perforator propeller flap. There were 6 males and 4 males, with a median age of 34.5 years (range, 6-66 years). Etiologies included radical tumor resection in 4 cases, post-burn scar contracture in 3 cases, post-burn hypertrophic scar in 2 cases, and prothesis exposure after knee arthroplasty in 1 case. Defects located on the lateral knee in 6 cases, proximal lateral leg in 2 cases, popliteal fossa in 1 cases, and infrapatellar region in 1 case. The size of soft-tissue defects was from 6 cm×4 cm to 14 cm×8 cm. The extraction range of the flap was from 10.0 cm×5.5 cm to 23.0 cm×7.0 cm; the length of the perforator pedicle was 2.5-5.0 cm, with an average of 3.65 cm; the flaps were rotated 180°, the large paddle of the propeller flap was used to repair the defect, and the small paddle was used to assist the closure of donor site. Results Blister was observed in the distal 3-cm of one flap and the flap survived after conservative management. All the flaps survived, and the wounds in the donor and recipient areas healed by first intention. There was no vascular crisis, incision dehiscence, infection, or other complications. All 10 patients were followed up 4 to 48 months, with an average of 12.6 months. The color and texture of the flap were similar to those of the recipient area, and there was no need for secondary operation for degreasing and thinning. Scar contracture was corrected; no tumor recurrence was found in tumor patients; the artificial knee joint was preserved, the knee joint flexion and extension activities were good, and all the patient and family members were satisfied with the appearance and function of the lower limbs after operation. Conclusion The SLGA perforator propeller flap surgery is relatively simple without the need of microvascular anastomosis, has the minimal donor-site morbidities, and can provide a compound flap for the repairing of a complex wound. The SLGA perforator propeller flap is one of the optional methods to repair soft-tissue defects around the knee joint.