Objective To summarize the effectiveness of radial dorsal fasciocutaneous flap of thumb for repairing severe nail bed defects. Methods Between May 2009 and January 2012, 16 patients with severe nail bed defect were treated with radial dorsal fasciocutaneous flap of the thumb. There were 10 males and 6 females, aged 16-54 years (mean, 36 years). The causes of injury included crush injury in 10 cases, chainsaw injury in 4 cases, and scald in 2 cases; injured fingers were thumb in 3 cases, index finger in 4 cases, middle finger in 5 cases, ring finger in 3 cases, and little finger in 1 case. The time between injury and operation was 2 hours to 8 days (mean, 19.3 hours). Of 16 patients, 9 complicated by distal phalanx fracture. The area of defect ranged from 0.9 cm × 0.6 cm to 2.3 cm × 2.1 cm. According to ZHOU Qingwen’s grading system for nail bed defects, 6 cases were rated as degree III and 10 cases as degree IV. The area of flap ranged from 1.0 cm × 0.6 cm to 2.5 cm × 2.2 cm. Retrograde transposition was performed to repair the thumb defect, and pedicled transposition to repair the 2nd-5th fingers defects. The donor sites were directly sutured or were repaired with skin graft. Results All flaps and skin grafts survived, and wounds healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 6-12 months (mean, 8 months). The color, texture, and contour of the flaps were good. According to total active motion standard, the finger function was assessed as excellent in 10 cases, good in 4 cases, and fair in 2 cases, and the excellent and good rate was 87.5%. Conclusion Radial dorsal fasciocutaneous flap of thumb is a reliable flap with easy dissection and less trauma in repair of severe nail bed defects.
ObjectiveTo assess the effectiveness of lateral ligament reconstruction with autogenous partial peroneus longus tendon for chronic lateral ankle instability.MethodsBetween September 2014 and November 2018, 32 patients (32 sides) with chronic lateral ankle instability were treated with lateral ankle ligament reconstruction by using autogenous anterior half of the peroneus longus tendon. There were 25 males and 7 females, with an average age of 28.5 years (range, 20-51 years). The disease duration was 6-41 months (mean, 8.9 months). The preoperative Karlsson-Peterson ankle score was 53.7±9.7. The talar tilt angle was (14.9±3.7)°, and the anterior talar translation was (8.2±2.8) mm. Six patients combined with osteochondral lesion of talus and 4 patients combined with bony impingement.ResultsAll incisions healed by first intention postoperatively. All patients were followed up 12-53 months (mean, 22.7 months). At last follow-up, the Karlsson-Peterson ankle score was 85.2±9.6; the talar tilt angle was (4.3±1.4)°; the anterior talar translation was (3.5±1.1) mm. There were significant differences in all indexes between pre- and post-operation (P<0.05). Seventeen patients were very satisfied with the results, 10 patients were satisfied, 4 patients were normal, and 1 patient was unsatisfied. After operation, the ankle sprain occurred in 7 cases, the tenderness around the compression screws at calcaneus in 5 cases, the anterolateral pain of ankle joint over 6 months in 4 cases. No patient had discomfort around the reciepient sites. At last follow-up, the ultrasonography examination showed that there was no significant difference in the density and diameter between bilateral peroneus longus tendons in 12 cases.ConclusionFor chronic lateral ankle instability, the lateral ankle ligament reconstruction with the autogenous partial peroneus longus tendon is a safe and effective surgical option.