ABSTRACT
Objective:To retrospectively analyse the clinical effect of sensation reconstructed free medial plantar artery perforator flap in repair of digit-tip defects.Methods:From March 2017 to February 2021, 11 cases with digit-tip defect were repaired by medial plantar artery perforator flap in the Department of Hand Surgery of Xuzhou Renci Hospital. The cutaneous sensory nerves were separated when the flap was harvested, and then the sensory nerves were sutured to the palmar nerves of the digits to reconstruct the sensation of the flap. All wounds had exposure of phalangeal bones, the size of the digit-tip defects was 1.2 cm×1.0 cm-2.5 cm×2.2 cm, the size of the flaps was 1.6 cm×1.5 cm-3.0 cm×2.7 cm. Ten donor sites were directly sutured and 1 was repaired by skin grafting. All patients were included in the postoperative follow-up through outpatient clinic and WeChat reviews to collect relevant information, including texture, sweating, stability, sensation, degree of bloating, blood circulation, usage of the flaps and skin and scars at the donor sites.Results:All flaps survived besides 1 case had venous occlusion occurred 12 hours after the operation, and the venous occlusion was relieved by releasing the dressing and removing some of sutures, and the flap survived smoothly. The wounds in the donor sites healed well. The postoperative follow-up period lasted for 6-18 months, with an average of 10.7 months. The flaps were soft, wear-resistant, and stable. The skin texture was restored with a small amount or normal sweating. One flap had mild bloated, and another flap showed a slightly poor colour of the flap together with a lower temperature. The sensory recovery of the flaps was good, reaching S 3+ or above. The TPD had achieved 6.0-8.5 mm, with an average of 7.1 mm. One patient had concerns in using the affected digit and 3 cases were in protective use of the affected digits. There was no wear and ulcer in the foot donor sites. According to Wang Shuhuan's assessment of flap function and Evaluation Trial Standards of Upper Limb Partial Functional of Hand Surgery of Chinese Medical Association, the patients in this group were scored excellent in 8 cases and good in 3 cases. Conclusion:The application of free medial plantar artery perforator flap in repair of digit-tip wounds can achieve good repairs. The donor site is hidden without effect on walking. It is one of the ideal donor sites for repairing digit-tip wounds.