Innervated Cross-Finger Pulp Flap for Reconstruction of the Fingertip

BACKGROUND: Fingertip injuries involving subtotal or total loss of the digital pulp are common types of hand injuries and require reconstruction that is able to provide stable padding and sensory recovery. There are various techniques used for reconstruction of fingertip injuries, but the most effective method is functionally and aesthetically controversial. Despite some disadvantages, cross-finger pulp flap is a relatively simple procedure without significant complications or requiring special techniques. METHODS: This study included 90 patients with fingertip defects who underwent cross-finger pulp flap between September 1998 and March 2010. In 69 cases, neurorrhaphy was performed between the pulp branch from the proper digital nerve and the recipient's sensory nerve for good sensibility of the injured fingertip. In order to evaluate the outcome of our surgical method, we observed two-point discrimination in the early (3 months) and late (12 to 40 months) postoperative periods. RESULTS: Most of the cases had cosmetically and functionally acceptable outcomes. The average defect size was 1.7x1.5 cm. Sensory return began 3 months after flap application. The two-point discrimination was measured at 4.6 mm (range, 3 to 6 mm) in our method and 7.2 mm (range, 4 to 9 mm) in non-innervated cross-finger pulp flaps. CONCLUSIONS: The innervated cross-finger pulp flap is a safe and reliable procedure for lateral oblique, volar oblique, and transverse fingertip amputations. Our procedure is simple to perform under local anesthesia, and is able to provide both mechanical stability and sensory recovery. We recommend this method for reconstruction of fingertip injuries.

Necrotizing Fasciitis of Nose Skin Following Herpes Zoster

PURPOSE: Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection is a common childhood disease. However, old and immune compromised patients are also at risk. Necrotizing fasciitis is a life threatening infection of the subcutaneous tissues, rapidly extending along the fascial planes. It is associated with a significant mortality rate, reported between 20% and 50%, and is therefore regarded as a surgical emergency. The authors treated a patient, who developed skin necrosis of her nose and left hemifacial area, following VZV infection. There are few literatures concerning this case; therefore, we present a rare case with review of literature. METHODS: A 39-year-old woman had shown a localized, painful, multiple bullae and eschar formation in her nose and left hemifacial area for several days. Her skin lesion had rapidly worsened in size and morphology. RESULTS: We diagnosed her as a necrotizing fasciitis, following herpes zoster, and then we performed a debridement of necrotic tissue and took a full thickness skin graft on her nose and left hemifacial area. Now, she was followed up with acceptable aesthetic result after 6 months. CONCLUSION: Secondary bacterial skin infection following VZV, can cause a result in a higher risk of complications. Among the complication, a necrotizing fasciitis of the head and neck is uncommon, and involvement of the nose is even more rare. Through this uncommon case report, we intend to emphasize the fact that early diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis is very important, since it frequently necessitates surgical treatment which improves morbidity and leads to good recovery.

The Case Report of Malignant Lymphoma on the Submandibular Gland

PURPOSE: Extranodal marginal zone B cell lymphoma of MALT type represents approximately 8% of non- Hodgkin's lymphomas and this lymphoma is present in extranodal sites. Although the presentation of this lymphomain in stomach is usually associated with H. pylori infection in 95% of cases, MALT lymphoma found in soft tissue has been reported very rarely in the field of plastic surgery. We report a case of MALT lymphoma in the submandibular gland without any involvement of other organs such as the stomach. METHODS: A 49-year-old man complained of a huge neck mass sized about 10x12cm. It started about 2 years ago and grew rapidly for the late 6 months. It was of hard nature with erythematous skin overlying it. Under the diagnosis of possible malignant lymphoma or sarcoma, radical resection was performed and the defect was reconstructed using transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous free flap. RESULTS: The mass was well demarcated from the normal tissue, 11 x 10.5 x 10cm in size and whitish- gray color. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that the tumor cells were LCA(+), CD20(+) , CD3(-) and CD5(-). The tumor was diagnosed as extranodal marginal zone B cell lymphoma. The patient was treated with prophylactic radiation therapy after surgery, there was no complication for 1 year. CONCLUSION: We reported that very rare form of MALT lymphoma in 49-year-old male patient was experienced with clinical characteristics, histologic features and references.