Objective To investigate the feasibility of temporary ectopic implantation of amputated fingers and dorsalis pedis flaps for thumb reconstruction and skin defect repair of the hand. Methods Between February 2006 and February 2012, 9 patients with thumb amputation having no replanted condition were treated. There were 7 males and 2 females with an average age of 35 years (range, 20-45 years). The injury causes included explosive injury in 1 case, puncher injury in 1 case, stiring machine injury in 1 case, gear injury in 3 cases, and heavy pound injury in 3 cases. At 2-5 hours after injury, one-stage temporary ectopic implantation of amputated finger to foot was performed. After debridement, thumb defect was rated as degree III in 1 case, as degree IV in 3 cases, and as degree V in 5 cases. When amputated fingers survived completely after 1-4 months, the amputated finger was replanted to its anatomic position, skin defect was repaired with dorsalis pedis flap. The area of skin defect ranged from 5 cm × 4 cm to 7 cm × 6 cm. The area of flaps ranged from 6 cm × 5 cm to 8 cm × 7 cm. The donor site was repaired by the skin grafting. Results Arterial crisis occurred in 1 case after 1 day of one-stage operation, and was cured after vascular exploration, and the amputated fingers survived in the others. The reconstructed thumbs and flaps survived after two-stage operation, and the skin graft at donor site survived. The patients were followed up 1-4 years (mean, 2.8 years). The reconstructed thumbs had good appearance and satisfactory opposition and finger-to-finger functions. According to the standard functional evaluation issued by Hand Surgery Association of Chinese Medical Association, the scores of survival fingers were 73-91 (mean, 84); the results were excellent in 7 cases and good in 2 cases with an excellent and good rate of 100%. Conclusion Temporary ectopic implantation of amputated finger to foot combined with dorsalis pedis flap can be used to reconstruct thumb and repair skin defect of the hand.
Objective To investigate the effectiveness of Kirschner wire combined with silk tension band in the treatment of ulnar collateral ligament avulsion fracture of the thumb metacarpophalangeal joint. Methods Between September 2008 and October 2011, 14 patients with ulnar collateral ligament avulsion fracture of the thumb metacarpophalangeal joint were treated using a combination of Kirschner wire and silk tension band. There were 8 males and 6 females, aged 23-55 years (mean, 40.8 years). The causes of injury were machinery twist injury in 5 cases, manual twist injury in 4 cases, falling in 4 cases, sports injury in 1 case. The time from injury to operation was 2 hours-14 days. All the patients presented pain over the ulnar aspect of the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb, limitation of motion, and joint instability with pinch and grip. The lateral stress testing of the metacarpophalangeal joint was positive. Function training was given at 2 weeks after operation. Results All incisions healed by first intention. The lateral stress testing of the metacarpophalangeal joint was negative. All the patients were followed up 6-18 months (mean, 13.1 months). The X-ray films showed good fracture reduction and healing with an average time of 7 weeks (range, 4-10 weeks). At last follow-up, the thumbs had stable flexion and extension of the metacarpophalangeal joint, normal opposition function and grip and pinch strengths. According to Saetta et al. criteria for functional assessment, the results were excellent in 11 cases and good in 3 cases; the excellent and good rate was 100%. Conclusion It is an easy and simple method to treat ulnar collateral ligament avulsion fracture of the thumb metacarpophalangeal joint using Kirschner wire combined with silk tension band, which can meet the good finger function.
Objective To evaluate the results of thumb opposition function by transferring the extensor carpi ulnaris and the extensor poll icis brevis muscle tendons. Methods Between March 2006 and August 2009, 35 patients with dysfunction of thumb opposition were treated and the thumb opposition function was reconstruced by transferring the extensor carpi ulnaris and the extensor poll icis brevis muscle tendons. There were 25 males and 10 females with an average age of 33.5 years (range, 20-53 years); 20 had median nerve injury in the wrist and 15 had median nerve injury with ulnar nerve injury. The causes were sharp instrument injury in 24 cases, blunt injury in 9 cases, and hot crush injury in 2 cases. Six cases complicated by shaft fractures of radius and ulna. All the patients underwent an operation of nerve repair at 1 to 3 hours after injury (mean, 2 hours). The time from injury to reconstructing operation was 6-14 months (mean, 7.5 months). Two cases was able to abduct thumb sl ightly, the others had no functions of thumb abduct and thumb opposition. Results All the wounds gained the primary healing. The patients were followed up 12-18 months (mean, 14 months). The wrist joint angle and thumb dorsal extension were satisfactory. Thumb abduct and thumb opposition function returned to normal in 20 patients with simple median nerve injury; in 15 patients with median nerve injury and ulnar nerve injury, thumb abduct and thumb opposition function returned to normal in 15 and 13, respectively. According to ZHAO Shuqiang’s standard, the results of thumb opposition function were normal in all patients at 12 months after operation. Conclusion It is a convenient and efficient procedure to reconstruct thumb opposition function by transferring the extensor carpi ulnaris and the extensor poll icis brevis muscle tendons.
Objective To study the improved index finger dorsal island flap for primary repair of thumb tip injury. Methods Between January 2009 and February 2010, 23 patients with thumb tip injury were treated. There were 17 males and 6 females, aged 21-47 years (mean, 27.5 years). The causes of injury were mechanical injury in 18 cases and heavy crushing injury in 5 cases. The time from injury to operation was 2.5-5.0 hours (mean, 3.5 hours). The defect locations included ulnar palmar defect in 5 cases, dorsal foot defect in 6 cases, radial palmar defect in 8 cases, and radial dorsal defect in 4 cases. All patients complicated by exposure of the thumb distal phalanx. The wound area varied from 2.1 cm × 1.8 cm to 2.8 cm × 2.5 cm. According to distal soft tissue defect of thumb, a modified index finger dorsal island flap was designed, key point of which was moved forward, and defects were repaired with the flaps. The size of flap was 2.3 cm × 2.0 cm to 3.0 cm × 2.7 cm. The donor sites were repaired with skin graft. Results All the flaps and grafts survived after operation and the wounds healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 6-12 months with an average of 6.4 months. The appearance and texture of the flaps were excellent. At last follow-up, the sensation of the flaps recovered to S3+ in 18 cases, to S3 in 2 cases, and to S2 in 3 cases. The two-point discrimination was 3-4 mm. Thumb opposition function was normal without contracture at the first web space. The skin graft at the donor site survived completely, and the metacarpophalangeal joint at donor site had the flexion and extension function. Conclusion Using a modified index finger dorsal island flap for primary repair thumb tip injury is a simple operation, which has good blood supply and high survival rate. When the pedicle flap rotation point is moved forward 10 mm or more, it can meet the needs of repairing thumb tip defect.
Objective To explore the effect of the first dorsal metacarpal artery-based pedicle dictyo-pattern sublobe flaps in repairing irregular wounds on thumbs and index fingers. Methods From December 2006 to March 2009, 15 patients with irregular wounds on thumbs and index fingers were treated, including 11 males and 4 femals, with an average age of 31 years (range, 18-48 years). Of them, 6 cases of hyperplastic scar of postburn had a 2-25 years course of disease (7.5 years onaverage) and 9 cases of machine injury had a 14-30 days course of disease (20 days on average). In 8 thumb wounds on palmaris, there were 3 cases of rhomboid wounds, 1 case of C-shape wound, and 4 cases of irregular wounds; the area of wounds ranged from 4.5 cm × 3.0 cm to 5.5 cm × 4.5 cm and wounds were treated by the first dorsal metacarpal artery-based proximate pedicle dictyo-pattern sublobe flaps (5 cm × 3 cm to 6 cm × 5 cm). In 7 index fingers wounds on dorsi-fingers, there were 3 cases of 2-wounds, 4 cases of irregular wounds; the area of wounds ranged from 1.0 cm × 0.5 cm to 2.2 cm × 2.0 cm and wounds were treated by the first dorsal metacarpal artery-based distal pedicle dictyo-pattern sublobe flaps (1.2 cm × 0.5 cm to 3.0 cm × 2.2 cm). The donor sites were covered with skin grafts or sutured directly. Results All of the flaps survived completely, the wound of recipient site healed at stage I. The free skin graft on donor site survived completely, the wound of donor site healed at stage I. All cases were followed up for 6-12 months (9 months on average). There was good appearance of flaps. The two point discrimination was 5-7 mm for the proximate pedicle flaps and 9-10 mm for the distal pedicle flaps. The thumbs had digital opposition, opposition function, the index fingers had no dysfunction. According to Hand Surgery Association Society of Chinese Medical Association Society standard for the part function evaluation trial-use of upper l imb, the results of the total active movement were excellent in 14 cases, and good in 1 case. The l ine-scar was existed at donor site of the case of direct suture, the function of thumb web had no dysfunction. Conclusion The first dorsal metacarpal artery-based pedicle dictyo-pattern sublobe flaps can repair the irregular wounds on thumbs and index fingers. It has rel iable blood supply and simple operation.
Objective To evaluate the function of the reconstructed thumbs and the donor feet after thumb reconstructions with modified wrap-around flap. Methods A total of 65 patients who accepted thumb reconstruction with the modified wrap-around flap between January 2003 and October 2007 were followed up, including 54 males and 11 females with an average age of 33 years (range 15-46 years). There were 12 cases of skin degloving injury and late class I B defect, 44 cases of class II defect and 9 cases of class III A defect. The reconstructed thumbs and donor feet were examined andevaluated. Foot function index-verbal rating scales (FFI-5pt), American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) forhallux metatarsophalangeal-interphalangeal score, gait analysis and dynamic pedobarography were conducted to 20 patients who were followed up recently. Results Sixty-five patients were followed up 6-60 months with an average of 22 months. The reconstructed thumbs had aesthetic appearance and satisfactory range of motion. The two-point discrimination was (9.7 ± 2.8) mm, showing statistically significant difference (P lt; 0.05) when compared with that of the contralateral normal thumb [(4.2 ± 1.1) mm]. Full or most length of the donor toes were preserved in 63 patients. The width of remaining plantar strip skin that covered the plantar weight-bearing area was (24.5 ± 3.7) mm, and its two-point discrimination was (9.0 ± 2.6) mm; showing no statistically significant difference (P gt; 0.05) when compared with that of contralateral normal one [(8.1 ± 1.9) mm]. Of the 20 patients who were followed up recently, the evaluation of the FFI-5pt score showed that the pain scale score was 5.6 ± 4.5, the disabil ity scale score was 1.2 ± 2.7, and the FFI-5pt total scale score was 3.2 ± 2.9. The results of AOFAS cl inical rating scale showed that the pain scale score was 34.0 ± 5.0, the function scale score was 38.7 ± 4.2, the al igment scale score was 15.0 ± 0, and the total AOFAS scale score was 87.7 ± 7.4. There was no statistically significant difference (P gt; 0.05) in the durations of subphases of the gait cycle between the donor foot and the contralateral normal foot, and in the peak force and force-time integral of the two whole foot. The peak force of the donor toe was significantly smaller than that of the contralateral normal toe (P lt; 0.05), but there was no significant difference in the peak pressure (P gt; 0.05); and there were no significant differences in the peak forcesand peak pressures of other six anatomical sites of the two feet (P gt; 0.05). Conclusion Using the modified wrap-around flap for thumb reconstruction, aesthetic and functional thumbs can be obtained, and most of the function of the donor feet can be preserved.
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
Objective?To compare the double dorsal phalangeal flap (DDPF) with the combination of digital neurovascular island flap (NVIF) and first dorsal metacarpal artery flap (FDMA) in terms of repairing digit degloving injury.?Methods?From October 2005 to March 2008, DDPF was used to repair 9 patients (9 fingers) with degloving injury of the thumb and index finger and completely amputated thumb and index finger (group A). From August 1996 to June 2007, NVIF and FDMA were used to repair 13 patients (13 fingers) with the thumb degloving injury and completely amputated or necrotic thumb (group B). In group A, there were 7 males and 2 females aged 19-48 years old, there were 4 cases of thumb and index finger degloving injury repair and 5 cases of completely amputated thumb and index finger reconstruction, the skin defect ranged from 6.0 cm × 3.5 cm to 7.0 cm × 4.5 cm, and the interval between injury and operation was 3-10 hours. The size of DDPF harvested during operation was 4.0 cm × 3.5 cm-5.0 cm × 4.0 cm. In group B, there were 10 males and 3 females aged 18-50 years old, there were 5 cases of thumb degloving injury repair and 8 cases of completely amputated or necrotic thumb reconstruction, the skin defect ranged from 6.0 cm × 3.0 cm to 7.0 cm × 4.5 cm, and the interval between injury and operation was 3 hours-5 days, and the size of NVIF and FDMA harvested during operation was 3.5 cm × 3.0 cm-5.0 cm × 4.0 cm. The donor site was repaired with the full-thickness skin graft.?Results?All the flaps survived uneventfully except for 1 case in group A suffering from venous crisis 1 day after operation and 2 cases in group B suffering from FDMA artery crisis 4-12 hours after operation. Those flaps survived after symptomatic treatment. All the wounds healed by first intention. All patients in two groups were followed up for 1-12 years (average 3.2 years). All the donor sites were normal except for 3 cases in group B suffering from flexion contracture deformity of the proximal interphalangeal joint due to the scar contracture in the margin of NVIF donor site. According to Allen test, the skin temperature and color of the donor fingers in two groups were normal under room temperature; 1 case of group A and 6 NVIF donor fingers of group B were pale and cold under ice water. According to sensory recovery evaluation system, 16 fingers in group A were graded as S4, 1 as S3+, and 1 as S2; while in group B, 3 NVIF fingers were graded as S3, 6 NVIF fingers as S2, 4 NVIF fingers as S1, and 13 FDMA fingers as S4. The appearance of the recipient flap was satisfactory and the color was similar to the surrounding skin. The skin temperature and color of the flaps in two groups were normal under room temperature; 2 cases of group A and 4 recipient fingers of group B were pale and cold under ice water. In group A, all the palmar flap of the recipient finger achieved the reorientation of the recipient flap sensation; while in group B, 8 cases achieved the reorientation of the recipient flap sensation, and 5 cases had double sensation. For the two-point discrimination of the flap, group B was superior to that of group A in terms of the palmar aspect (P lt; 0.05), no significant difference was evident between two groups in terms of the dorsal aspect (P gt; 0.05), and the palmar aspect of each group was superior to the dorsal flap (P lt; 0.05).?Conclusion?DDPF is less invasive to donor finger, easy to be operated, able to partially restore the sensory of the injured finger, and suitable for the repair of the degloving injury of the thumb and the index finger. Combination of NVIF and FDMA can restore the fine sensory of recipient palmar flap better and is applicable for those patients suffering from digital nerve defects from the proximal phalanx and with high demand for the recovery of thumb sensory.
Objective To evaluate a new reconstruction method for grades Ⅴ and Ⅵ defect with flap by skin soft tissue expansion technique. Methods From May 1998to September 2003, 8 cases of serious thumb defect were treated, including 6 males and 2 females, aging 18-27 years. The defect was caused by crush injury ofmachine in 6 cases and hot crush injury in 2 cases( 5 cases of grade Ⅴ and 3 cases of grade Ⅵ). The expander was placed under the tenor skin and softtissue.And then normal saline was infused to expand the skin and soft tissue graduallytill it was available for thumb reconstruction. Iliac autograft was fixed to residual thumb stump and covered with flap produce by expanded skin and soft-tissue.Postoperative rehabilitation was carried out. Results Allreconstructed thumbs were alive. After3-24 months follow-up, all reconstructed thumbs were with good sensation, appearance and durable. Twopoint discrimination was less than 5 mm. The functions of opposition, extend, abduction and endoduction were better in grade Ⅴ thumb defect than in grade Ⅵ thumb defect. Bone union was achieved within 3 to 4 months. Conclusion It is a convenient-to-operate and reliablemethod for thumb reconstruction. It is an alternative new reconstruction methodfor grades Ⅴ and Ⅵ thumb defect.
Objective To introduce the free multiple flaps of lowerextremity based on the anterior tibital vascular pedicle for primary repair of the complex burned hand deformities.Methods From September 2000 to February 2003, the lateral leg flap, dosalis pedis flap and trimmed first toe based on the anterior tibial vascular pedicle were utilized to reconstruct the thumb and repair the first web, thenar, wrist or palmar scar contracture simultaneously in 6 patients. The flap size of lateral leg and dosalis pedis ranged from 4 cm×10 cm to 7 cm×10 cm and from 5 cm×10 cm to 9 cm×12 cm, respectively.Resutls Six cases were treated and followed up for 6 weeks to 1 year. The transplanted flaps survived with satisfactory recovery in function and appearance of theburned hand. The function of donor lower extremity was not damaged. Conclusion The procedure of the free multiple flaps of lower extremity based on the anterior tibial vascular pedicle is reliable and effective for primaryrepair of burned hand.