ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of the upper limb free flap for repair of severe contracture of thumb web, and one stage reconstruction of the index finger abduction. MethodsBetween March 2007 and June 2011, 16 cases of severe contracture of thumb web and index finger abduction dysfunction were treated. There were 14 males and 2 females with an average age of 29 years (range, 16-42 years). All injuries were caused by machine crush. The time between injury and admission was 6-24 months (mean, 10 months). The angle of thumb web was 10-25° (mean, 20°), and the width of thumb web was 15-24 mm (mean, 22 mm). After scar relax of the thumb web, the defect size ranged from 6 cm × 4 cm to 8 cm × 6 cm; the upper limb free flap from 7 cm × 5 cm to 9 cm × 7 cm was used to repair the defect, index finger abduction was simultaneously reconstructed by extensor indicis proprius tendon transfer. The donor site was repaired with skin grafting. ResultsAll the flaps and skin graftings survived after operation and incisions healed by first intention. Fourteen patients were followed up 6-12 months (mean, 9 months). The flap appearance was satisfactory. The two-point discrimination was 6-9 mm (mean, 7 mm) after 6 months. The angle of thumb web was 85-90° (mean, 88°). The width of thumb web was 34-52 mm (mean, 40 mm). The abduction and opposing functions of thumb and abduction function of index finger were both recovered. Conclusion A combination of the upper limb free flap for severe contracture of thumb web and one stage reconstruction of the index finger abduction for index finger abduction dysfunction can achieve good results in function and appearance.
Objective To assess the efficacy of the extra long scapular-lateral thoracic-il ioinguinal siamese flap to repair the contracture deformity of perineal scar caused by burn and to discuss its characteristics. Methods From January2008 to August 2009, 9 patients with contracture deformity of perineal scar after deep II degree to III degree burn were treated. There were 7 males and 2 females aged from 22 to 54 years (35.4 years on average). The course of disease ranged from 8 months to 5 years. All cases had central type of perineal scar. Among the cases, 3 cases were compl icated by abdominal scar, 4 cases by legs scar, and 2 cases by abdominal and legs scar. Scar ulcer was observed in 2 cases. The opening-closing angle of bilateral lower extremities was (29.4 ± 8.8)°. And anus could not expose entirely so that squatting and rel ieving the bowels were difficult in 6 cases. Defect areas after scar resection ranged from 20 cm × 6 cm to 28 cm × 8 cm. The size of extra long scapular-lateral thoracic-il ioinguinal siamese flap ranged from 35 cm × 12 cm to 58 cm × 15 cm. The donor sites were sutured directly. Results Bl ister and necrosis occurred in 1 case and was cured after dressing changed, and others flaps survived with wounds primary heal ing. Incision at donor site healed by first intention. All cases were followed up 6-12 months. The perineal function improved and the partial deformities were corrected. The opening-closing angle of bilateral lower extremities increased to (75.6 ± 11.3)°, showing significant difference between pre- and post-operation (P lt; 0.05). The functions of squatting and rel ieving the bowels recovered well. The perineal scar adhesion recurred in 2 cases after 6 months of operation and were cured after scar resectionand expanding flaps transposition. Conclusion In view of large donating region, great facil ity for transposition, stableand sufficient blood supply, reutil ization as expanded flap, it was an effective treatment and a beneficial trial by applying the transposition of the extra long scapular-lateral thoracic-il ioinguinal siamese flap for contracture deformity of perineal scar caused by burn.
Objective To investigate the therapeutic effects of the groin skin and iliac bone composite graft on the repair of severe contracture of the first web space and one-stage reconstruction of the pollicis opponens function under the condition of no ideal muscle or tendon used. Methods From July 2003 to February 2006, 5 patients (4 males, 1 females; age range, 2038 years) with severe contracture of the first web space with loss of the pollicis opponens function were treated by the groin skin and iliac bone composite graft, with the clinical observation performed. The defect was caused by a crush injury in 3 patients, by an explosion injury in 1 patient, and by awrist joint mutilation injury in 1 patient. They all had been treated by operation at least once with a disease course of 6-24 months. The width and the angle of the first web space was 18 mm and 20° on average. Results The followed-up for 612 moths revealed that all the flaps had a success. The pedicle of the groin skin and iliac bone composite graft was cut off after 3 weeks, and 8 weeks later there was a bone union between the imbedded bone block and the first and second metacarpal bones. There was no evidence that the imbedded bone block was deformed or absorbed. The width of the first web space was augmented by an average of 32 mm, the angle of the first web space was augmented by an average of 60°. The pollicis opponens function recovered. Conclusion It is relatively simple and reliable to repair the contracture of the first web space and reconstruct the pollicis opponens function in one-stage usingthe groin skin and iliac bone composite graft.
OBJECTIVE To explore the pathogenic mechanism of intrinsic muscle contracture after replantation of severed palm or wrist, and put forward the prevention and treatment methods. METHODS From 1985 to 1997, 48 cases were received replantation of severed palm or wrist, among them, 9 cases with thumb adductor contracture and 6 cases with intrinsic muscle contracture were occurred in different degree. Two cases with mild thumb adductor contracture were received conservative treatment, and 7 cases with moderate thumb adductor contracture and 6 cases with intrinsic muscle contracture were received operative treatment. The pathogenic mechanism, clinical results, and prevention methods were studied in those 15 cases. RESULTS The postoperative function recovery was better in 4 cases, moderate in 5 cases with thumb adductor contracture, and better in 3 cases, moderate in 1 case with intrinsic muscle contracture, and moderate in 1 case, poor in 1 case with intrinsic muscle contracture of cord-like induration. Followed up 1 to 10 years, no recurrence was observed in all of 15 cases. The incidence and degree of thumb adductor contracture and intrinsic muscle contracture were closely related to the ischemia time of replanting graft. CONCLUSION Prevention of thumb adductor contracture and intrinsic muscle contracture is most important in severed palm or wrist replantation. When the ischemia time of replanting graft is longer than 12 hours, the effective decompression in myofascial compartment is performed in time to reach satisfactory result.
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the clinical efficacy of thin flap with subdermal vascular network of the neck-pectoral region on repair of the contracture of the burn scar on the neck. METHODS From March 1990 to May 1998, 21 cases of deformity of neck due to burn scar were repaired with the thin flap ranging from 8 cm x 5 cm to 14 cm x 8 cm, and all of the cases were followed up for 6 to 42 months. RESULTS Except partial necrosis of the distal end of the flap in 1 case, the flaps in the other 20 cases all survived and presented a satisfactory appearance and function. CONCLUSION The thin flap with subdermal vascular network in neck-pectoral region may provide a large area of flap, and could be easily transferred. It’s an ideal flap for the repair of skin defect on the neck.