Objective To investigate the effectiveness of split nail in the emergency treatment of nail bed partial defect. Methods Between February 2008 and August 2011, 27 cases (30 fingers) of nail bed partial defect were treated. There were 19 males (22 fingers) and 8 females (8 fingers) with an average age of 27.4 years (range, 16-64 years). The causes of injury included machine injury in 25 cases and cutting injury in 2 cases. The injured fingers included 5 thumbs, 7 index fingers, 11 middle fingers, and 9 ring fingers. The disease duration ranged from 30 minutes to 7 hours with an average of 4.3 hours. The size of nail bed defect ranged from 4 mm × 3 mm to 9 mm × 5 mm. All defects were repaired with residual split nail (4 mm × 3 mm-10 mm × 6 mm in size). Results The split nail survived in 25 cases (28 fingers), and primary healing of wound was obtained. Exudation occurred in 2 cases (2 fingers) and was cured after symptomatic treatment. Twenty-three patients (25 fingers) were followed up 5-17 months (mean, 11.1 months). At 3-5 months after operation, the fingernail regeneration was observed in all fingers. Except 2 cases (2 fingers) of delayed healing having poor nail growth, the other patients had smooth nail and normal finger tip function without pain. According effectiveness standard for fingernail regeneration, the results were excellent in 15 fingers, good in 6 fingers, fair in 3 fingers, and poor in 1 finger, with an excellent and good rate of 84%. Conclusion It is a simple and effective method to use residual split nail for emergency treatment of nail bed partial defect.
Objective To investigate the method and cl inical outcomes of repairing the skin and tissue defect of the finger pulp with transverse digital palmar island flap. Methods From August 2007 to September 2008, 9 patients with skin and tissue defects of the finger pulp were treated, including 6 males and 3 females aged 18-48 years old. The defect was caused bycrush injury by machine in 6 cases, pressure injury by heavy objects in 2 cases, and abrasion injury by grinding wheel in 1 case. The defect was located in the index finger in 4 cases, the middle finger in 2 cases, the ring finger in 3 cases, the proximal phalanx in 1 case, the middle phalanx in 7 cases, and the distal phalanx in 1 case. The defect size ranged from 1.3 cm × 1.0 cm to 2.5 cm × 1.5 cm. The defect was compl icated with unilateral blood vessel and nerve defect in 8 cases, bone fracture in 2 cases, and tendon exposure in 5 cases. The time between injury and hospital admission was 20 minutes-14 hours. Transverse digital palmar island flaps (2.0 cm × 1.2 cm-4.0 cm × 1.7 cm) were used to repair the soft tissue defect during operation. The donor site was repaired with full-thickness skin graft. Results All the flaps and skin graft at the donor site survived uneventfully. All the wounds healed by first intention. Nine patients were followed up for 6-17 months. The appearance of the flaps was similar to that of the uninjured side, there was no occurrence of obvious pigmentation and scar contracture, and the two-point discrimination value was 8-11 mm. According to the function evaluation standard for the replantation of severed finger by Chinese Medical Association Hand Surgery Academy, 8 cases were graded as excellent, 1 as good. Conclusion Repairing the skin and tissue defects in the finger pulp of middle and distal phalanx with transverse digital palmar island flap can simpl ify the operation procedure, reduce the suffering of the patient, and provide satisfying therapeutic effect.