Objective To investigate new classification and repair methods for the traverse amputated fingertip. Methods From March 2000 to October 2006, 20 cases of 20 fingers with traverse amputated fingertip, including 13 males and 7 females aged 17-47 years, were treated. Twenty patients (9 crush injuries, 5 cutting injuries and 6 sawing injuries) were classified into 4 types, namely type I (the distal one third of nail bed), type II (the middle of nail bed), type III (the poximal one third of nail bed), and type IV (the root of nail bed). There were 3 patients (2 index fingers and 1 l ittle finger) of type I, 8 patients (2 thumbs, 3 index fingers and 3 middle fingers) of type II, 5 patients (3 index fingers, 1 ring finger and 1 l ittle finger)of type III, and 4 patients (2 thumbs, 1 middle finger and 1 l ittle finger) of type IV. The soft tissue defect ranged from 1.2 cm × 1.2 cm to 1.5 cm × 1.2 cm. The time from injury to surgery was 3-10 hours. Fingers of type I and type II were treated with forward flow axial flap and modified nail bed lengthening. Fingers of type III and type IV were treated with forward flow axial flap and partial nail bed replantation as well as modified nail bed lengthening. The flaps ranged in size from 1.5 cm × 1.2 cm to 2.0 cm × 1.4 cm. Results Twenty patients incisions healed by first intention and the flaps, nails and skin grafting survived. All donor sites healed by first intention. All patients were followed up for 2-6 months (4 months on average). The appearances of fingertips were good. The texture of the flap was soft, and the fingers had no tenderness and motor disturbance. The two-point discrimination was 4.5-6.5 mm．The finger nails of type I and type II extended 3-4 mm after operation, while the finger nails of type III and type IV extended 8-10 mm after operation. All finger nails were smooth and flat without pain. Hook nail happened in 1 case 6 months after operation. Conclusion Classification of the injured fingers according to the condition of the amputation base is helpful in choosing repair methods, and is conducive to maximize the recovery of the function and shape of fingertips.
【Abstract】 Objective To research the method and effectiveness of V-Y advancement of skin flap pedicled with the upper limb lateral branch in the treatment of small skin defect in the dorsal elbow. Methods Between March 2008 and August 2010, 6 cases of skin defect in the dorsal elbow were treated by V-Y advancement of skin flap pedicled with the upper limb lateral branch, including 4 males and 2 females with a mean age of 53 years (range, 16-76 years). Defects were caused by crushing in 3 cases, by punching in 2 cases, and the disease duration was 4 hours 30 minutes to 7 days (mean, 29.5 hours); and by chronic infection in 1 case, and the disease duration was 12 months. The defect size ranged from 4.0 cm × 2.5 cm to 9.5 cm × 3.5 cm, all complicating by bone or tendon exposure. The flap size ranged from 6.0 cm × 4.0 cm to 12.5 cm × 9.5 cm; the donor sites were sutured directly. Results All flaps survived completely, wounds and incisions at donor sites healed by first intention. Six cases were followed up 6-12 months after operation. The flaps had good texture and color. Two-point discrimination of the skin flap was 12-16 mm. The function of limb was normal, and elbow flexion and extension activity averaged 105° (range, 95-125°). Conclusion It is ideal to treat small skin defect in the dorsal elbow with V-Y advancement of skin flap pedicled with the upper limb lateral branch because of easier operation and less injury at donor site.
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