ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the surgical methods and clinical effects of the reconstruction of soft tissue defect in distal thumbwith dorsal thumb neurocutaneous vascular flap.Methods From January,2014 to December,2016,32 patients with soft tissue defects of distal thumb were repaired with dorsal thumb neurocutaneous vascular flaps,including left thumbs in 11 cases and right thumbs in 21 cases.They were including 7 cases of nail bed defects,9 cases of pulp defects under nails,16 cases ofthe defects of tips or stump of fingers;skin and soft tissue defects range of 1.5 cm×1.0 cm-3.5 cm×3.2 cm;Flap cutting areas range of 2.0 cm×l.5 cm-4.0 cm×3.5 cm.If the donor areas could be sutured directly,be sutured;if they could not,be covered with intermediate split thickness skin grafts.All patients were followed up when they were reviewed in outpatient department,and to be evaluated the shape,texture,sensation,flexion and extension function,and donor site of the flaps.Results One case of flaps blood circulation disordereddue to tight suture,and eased after the removal of part of the sutures;One case of flaps atrophied,and the phalangette was exposed after 3 months,so we removed the end part of bone and the wound was closed;other flaps were survived,with primary wound healing.In the total 32 patients,they were followed up range of 3 to 36 months,with an average of 12 months.Eighteen cases were followed up at least 6 months,which were 4 of the 7 cases of nail bed defects,5 of the 9 cases of pulp defects under nail and 9 of the 16 cases of the defects of tip or stump of fingers.The appearances and textures of flaps were good,protective sensations were restored,and skin flap two-point discriminationswere 8-10 mm.According to the Trial Standard for Evaluation of Upper Limb Function of Chinese Society of Hand Surgery,it was excellent in 11 cases,good in 17 cases and moderate in 4 cases,with the excellent and good rate of 87.5％.Conclusion It has advantages of simple operation,low risk,high success rate and satisfactory curative effects of the use of dorsal thumb neurocutaneous vascular flap for repair of distal thumb defect of skin and soft tissue.It is not only suitable for the hospital with good technical and equipment,but also suitable for the primary hospital.