Fiftyone thumbs with complete or partial loss of the distal segment in 50 patients has been reconstructed with transplantation of great or second toe by microsurgical technique from 1985 to 1993. All cases were survived and regained favourable functions. Ninteen cases had been followup after operation, with an average of 51 months. In the group Ⅱ° of thumb loss, the overall functional impairment inproved from 11% to 1.7%, and in the remaining cases, from 5% to 0%. Sensation examination found S+3 in 42%, S4 in 37% and the two point discrimination between 4mm to 10mm. The merits of reconstruction of the distal thumb segment was stated and emphasized. The choice of operative procedures, the advantagesof emergency reconstruction, the selection emphasized of anastomosis site of blood vessels and the complications and sequelae of the donor foot were discussed in detaill.
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.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness of Ilizarov technique in reconstruction of thumb function in patients with thumb degloving injury after amputation.MethodsBetween June 2011 and September 2016, 9 cases of thumb degloving injury were treated with amputation and Ilizarov technology. There were 8 males and 1 female with an age of 18-52 years (mean, 34.7 years). The amputation plane was the level of the metacarpophalangeal joint in 5 cases, the level of the proximal metacarpophalangeal joint in 2 cases, and the level of the base of the proximal phalanx in 2 cases (the length of proximal phalanx was less than 1 cm). After amputation, the affected finger was shorter than the healthy finger by 4.0-7.5 cm, with an average of 5.7 cm. On the fifth day after operation, the semi-loop external fixation extender was applied for extension, which was extended by 0.5 mm per day, and was extended once every 6 hours.ResultsAfter bone lengthening surgery, the first web space elevation and contracture occurred in 8 cases. Six of them were treated with the amputation of the inner muscle of the thumb and the "Z" forming technique, postoperative thumb function recovered well; the remaining 2 cases rejected plasty. All 9 patients were followed up 14-47 months, with an average of 33 months. Bone lengthening time was 64-122 days, with an average of 86 days. The lengthening length of bone was 3.0-5.9 cm, with an average of 4.1 cm, and the average lengthening length was 71.9% of the average shortened length. The fixation time of external fixator was 169-342 days, with an average of 231 days. The healing index was 43.2-59.1 days/cm, with an average of 53.4 days/cm. One case showed prolonged mineralization delay and recovered after "accordion" treatment. Bone healing was finally achieved in all patients, with the healing time ranging from 169 to 342 days, with an average of 231 days. No replantation internal fixation and flexion contracture occurred. The two-point discrimination of extended fingertip was similar to that of normal fingertip. The grip strength reached 53%-89% of the healthy side; the kneading force reached 59%-91% of the healthy side.ConclusionThe application of Ilizarov technology to extend the thumb metacarpal lengthening is a good method to reconstruction the thumb function after degloving injury.
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
It is difficult to repair the pulp defect of finger with good function. Here reported two cases of pulp defect of the thumb which were repaired with free palmris brevis musculo-cutaneous flap. The flap was designed as the following: taken the line crossing the pisiform and metacarpo-phalangeal joint of the little finger as the longitudinal axis of the flap. The proximal end of the flap was at the level of pisiform and the distal end was the distal transverse palmar crease. The radial border was the radial side of the palmris brevis and ulnar border was the ulnar edge of the palm. The flap should not be larger than 6.5 cm x 2.5 cm. The flap was dissected with proper ulnar vessels and the accompanying arterial branch and superficial branch of the ulnar nerve. The flap was transferred to repair the pulp defect of the thumb. The vessels were anastomosed with the radial artery and cephalic vein at the snuffbox. The nerves were sutured to the digital nerve. Three months after operation, the defect was healed and the sensation of pulp was recovered. The donor area was painless and without sensation disturbance. The motion of the little finger was normal. The function of the thumb was restored. It was concluded that the palmaris brevis musculocutaneous flap is one of the best donor region to repair pulp defect of thumb.
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.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness of dorsalis pedis flap series-parallel big toe nail composite tissue flap in the repairment of hand skin of degloving injury with tumb defect.
MethodsBetween March 2009 and June 2013, 8 cases of hand degloving injury with thumb defect caused by machine twisting were treated. There were 7 males and 1 female with the mean age of 36 years (range, 26-48 years). Injury located at the left hand in 3 cases and at the right hand in 5 cases. The time from injury to hospitalization was 1.5-4.0 hours (mean, 2.5 hours). The defect area was 8 cm×6 cm to 15 cm×11 cm. The thumb defect was rated as degree I in 5 cases and as degree II in 3 cases. The contralateral dorsal skin flap (9 cm×7 cm to 10 cm×8 cm) combined with ipsilateral big toe nail composite tissue flap (2.5 cm×1.8 cm to 3.0 cm×2.0 cm) was used, including 3 parallel anastomosis flaps and 5 series anastomosis flaps. The donor site of the dorsal flap was repaired with thick skin grafts, the stumps wound was covered with tongue flap at the shank side of big toe.
ResultsVascular crisis occurred in 1 big toe nail composite tissue flap, margin necrosis occurred in 2 dorsalis pedis flap;the other flaps survived, and primary healing of wound was obtained. The grafted skin at dorsal donor site all survived, skin of hallux toe stump had no necrosis. Eight cases were followed up 4-20 months (mean, 15.5 months). All flaps had soft texture and satisfactory appearance;the cutaneous sensory recovery time was 4-7 months (mean, 5 months). At 4 months after operation, the two-point discrimination of the thumb pulp was 8-10 mm (mean, 9 mm), and the two-point discrimination of dorsal skin flap was 7-9 mm (mean, 8.5 mm). According to Society of Hand Surgery standard for the evaluation of upper part of the function, the results were excellent in 4 cases, good in 3 cases, and fair in 1 case. The donor foot had normal function.
ConclusionDorsalis pedis flap series-parallel big toe nail composite tissue flap is an ideal way to repair hand skin defect, and reconstructs the thumb, which has many advantages, including simple surgical procedure, no limitation to recipient site, soft texture, satisfactory appearance and function of reconstructing thumb, and small donor foot loss.
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.
ObjectiveTo study the causes and treatment of postoperative deviation secondary to thumb duplication resection.
MethodsBetween February 2007 and June 2013,32 cases (33 thumbs) of postoperative deviation secondary to thumb duplication resection were treated,and the clinical data were retrospectively analyzed.There were 13 males and 19 females,aged 2-34 years (median,8 years).The left thumbs were involved in 7 cases,the right thumbs in 24 cases,and bilateral thumbs in 1 case.Of 33 thumbs,2 were rated as type Ⅱ,4 as type Ⅲ,10 as type IV,7 as type V,and 10 as type VⅡ according to Wassel classification.The average time between duplicated thumb resection and admission was 6.5 years (range,1-29 years).Nine thumbs only had ulnar deviation of the metacarpophalangeal (MP) joint;8 thumbs only had radial deviation of the interphalangeal (IP) joint;10 thumbs only had ulnar deviation of the IP joint;and 6 thumbs had ulnar deviation of the MP joint combined with radial deviation of the IP joint.The mean deviation degree of the MP joint was 32.3°(range,20-40°),and the mean deviation degree of the IP joint was 42.5°(range,30-110°).Operation methods were chosen specially according to the deformity,including remnant bone or cartilage resection,restoring normal alignment,and soft tissue balance.
ResultsAll wounds got first stage healing and there was no complication associated with operation.Postoperative follow-up period ranged from 6 to 70 months (mean,34 months).The skeleton alignment of the thumbs was improved on the X-ray images;all osteotomy got union at 5-10 weeks (mean,6 weeks).Deviation was completely corrected in 31 thumbs;the preoperative deviation degree was too large to correct completely in 2 thumbs with a postoperative deviation degree of 10°.The motion degree was similar to that at preoperation in 13 thumbs;the motion degree decreased in 20 thumbs,which did not affect the function of the thumbs.Nineteen cases (20 thumbs) were followed more than 2 years,there was no recurrence of deviation and all thumbs developed well,but the size of affected thumb was smaller than that of the contralateral side in 14 cases (14 thumbs).
ConclusionGetting good result and preventing postoperative deviation for thumb duplication resection acquires appropriate preoperative design,reconstruction of the insertion of the abductor pollicis brevis,transposition of the flexor and extensor pollicis longus insertion,and essential osteotomy play important roles in preventing postoperative deviation after thumb duplication resection.Individualized treatment plan for deviation should be made according to the degree and the cause of deviation.
ObjectiveTo explore a new improved technique and its effectiveness to repair dorsal thumb composite tissue defects including interphalangeal joint by transplantation of modified hallux toe-nail composite tissue flap.
MethodsThe hallux toe-nail composite tissue flap carrying distal half hallux proximal phalanx, extensor hallucis longus, and interphalangeal joint capsule were designed and applied to repair the dorsal skin, nails, and interphalangeal joint defect of thumb in 14 cases between January 2007 and June 2013. They were all males, aged from 19 to 52 years (mean, 30 years). The time from injury to hospital was 0.5-2.0 hours (mean, 1.2 hours). The area of the thumb nail and dorsal skin defects ranged from 2.5 cm×1.5 cm to 5.0 cm×2.5 cm. The dorsal interphalangeal joint had different degrees of bone defect, with residual bone and joint capsule at the palm side. The length of bone defect ranged from 2.5 to 4.0 cm (mean, 3.4 cm). The hallux nail flap size ranged from 3.0 cm×2.0 cm to 6.0 cm×3.0 cm. The donor sites were repaired by skin grafting in 5 cases, and retrograde second dorsal metatarsal artery island flap in 9 cases.
ResultsAfter operation, arterial crisis occurred in 1 case and the flap survived after relieving pressure; the other flaps survived, and wounds healed by first intention. Liquefaction necrosis of the skin grafting at donor site occurred in 3 cases, and the other skin grafting and all retrograde second dorsal metatarsal artery island flaps survived. The follow-up ranged from 9 months to 3 years and 6 months (mean, 23 months). The secondary plastic operation was performed in 4 cases at 6 months after operation because of slightly bulky composite tissue flaps. The other composite tissue flaps had good appearance, color, and texture. The growth of the nail was good in 12 cases, and slightly thickened in 2 cases. At last follow-up, X-ray examination showed that bone graft and proximal phalanx of the thumb had good bone healing in 12 cases. Good bone healing was obtained at the donor site. According to the Hand Surgical Branch of Chinese Medical Association standard for thumb and finger reconstruction function, the results were excellent in 12 cases and good in 2 cases, and the excellent and good rate was 100%. No pain at donor site was observed, with normal gait.
ConclusionTransplantation of modified hallux toe-nail composite tissue flap to repair dorsal thumb composite tissue defects including interphalangeal joint can effectively improve the appearance and function of the impaired thumb.
