ABSTRACT
Objective:To explore the clinical effect of repairing interphalangeal joint defect of hand with free transfer of part of the 2nd metatarsophalangeal joint tissue flap precisely cut with the aid of digital 3D printing technology.Methods:From December 2016 to December 2020, 7 patients with partial joint defects of proximal interphalangeal joints of fingers were treated in Department of Hand and Foot Surgery, Shunde Hospital Affiliated to Guangzhou Medical University(Foshan Shunde Lecong Hospital). Before surgery, three-dimensional data of hand and foot bones were collected, and the 3D printing model was used to simulate the operation in vitro. During the operation, the first dorsal metatarsal artery-the 2nd dorsal metatarsal artery was used as the pedicle, and the 2nd metatarsophalangeal joint composite tissue flap with a required size was harvested with the assistance of the navigation template to tranfer and repair the small joint defects of hand. All 7 cases entered follow-up at outpatient and telephone. Results:All 7 cases survived. Postoperative follow-up was 3-24(mean 9.5) months, Range of motion of the repaired interphalangeal joint was (56 ± 6)°; According to the Evaluation Standard of Thumb and Finger Reconstruction Function of the Society of Hand Surgery of the Chinese Medical Association, 2 cases were excellent, 4 cases were good, and 1 case was poor.Conclusion:Transfer of the free 2nd metatarsophalangeal joint tissue flap assisted by 3D printing technology in repair of the small joint defect of the hand can accurately harvest the tissue flap, which is clinically reliable.