Reconstruction of High-Pressure Paint Gun Injection Injured Finger Using Free Flaps with T-Shaped Pedicles and Multiple Venous Anastomoses

High-pressure (HP) injection injury to the upper extremity often causes a very serious clinical problem, leading to poor outcomes, including amputation, so that a true surgical emergency is required. The outcomes can be improved with emergent wide surgical debridement. However the diagnosis of these injuries is often delayed due to underestimated evaluation at first appearance and lack of common knowledge of the seriousness of this injury. The type and pressure of the infecting material is an important factor in prognosis and organic solvents infected pressure injury can cause poor outcome and increased amputation rate. In this case, we report on reconstruction of HP oilbased paint injection injuries of the finger using T-shaped pedicles and multiple venous anastomoses. In this concept, arterial flow can be maintained by the reverse flow of distal anastomosis when there is difficulty with the proximal anastomosis. And venous flow can be preserved by deep and superficial vein anastomosis. This concept has various advantages including preserving patency of the pedicle in chronic vasculopathy or trauma cases and maintaining the arterial flow by the reverse flow of distal anastomosis and can improve the free flap survival by a two vascular anastomosis system.

Compression of the Ulnar Nerve in the Ulnar Tunnel Caused by an Anomalous Pulsatile S-shaped Ulnar Artery

PURPOSE: Compression of the ulnar nerve in the ulnar tunnel is a relatively uncommon condition. Many authors have described several etiologies of ulnar nerve compression. We experienced two cases of ulnar nerve compression in the ulnar tunnel due to an anomalous pulsatile S-shaped ulnar artery. METHODS: Case 1: A 51-year-old man was referred with numbness and paroxysmal tingling sensation along the volar side of the ring and little fingers of his right hand for 6 months. When exploration, the ulnar artery was pulsatile S-shaped and was impinging on the ulnar nerve. To decompress the ulnar nerve, the tortuous ulnar artery was mobilized and translocated radially onto the adjacent fibrous tissue. Case 2: A 41-year-old man was referred with tingling sensation on the 4th, 5th finger of the right hand for 4 months. Sensory nerve conduction velocities of the ulnar nerve was delayed. Preoperative 3D angio CT scan showed an anomalous S-shaped ulnar artery. Same operation was done. RESULTS: The postoperative course was uneventful. After decompression, paroxysmal tingling sensation decreased to less than 1 minute per episode, occurring 1 or 2 times a day. After 4 months, they had no more episodes of numbness and tingling sensation. Examination demonstrated good sensation to pinprick and touch on the ulnar aspect of the hand. CONCLUSION: We report two cases of ulnar nerve compressive neuropathy that was caused by an anomalous pulsatile S-shaped ulnar artery in the ulnar tunnel. Although this is an unusual cause of ulnar nerve compression, the symptoms will not spontaneously resolve. The prompt relief of compressive neuropathic symptoms following the translocation of the impinging ulnar artery from the affected ulnar nerve onto adjacent tissue proved that the ulnar nerve compression is due to the anomalous vessel.

Versatility of Adipofascial Flap for the Reconstruction of Soft Tissue Defect on Hand or Foot

PURPOSE: Various types of flaps, with their own advantages and disadvantages, have been described for reconstruction of soft tissue defect with exposure of tendons, bones, or joints in the hand or foot. Local flaps with random vascularity have a limitation by their length. Free flaps are time-consuming procedure that may require the sacrifice of some major vessels. The ideal flap for covering soft tissue defects of the hand or foot must provide subcutaneous tissue that tendons can glide through which, supply enough subcutaneous tissue for cover of vital neural, bony, vascular and joint structures, and it has to be aesthetically pleasing. The adipofascial flap fulfills these criteria. It allows immediate or early closure of difficult wound of hand and foot in an easy way, and is especially indicated for small to medium-sized defects. METHODS: From October 2005 to December 2006, seven cases underwent this procedure to reconstruct soft tissue defect on hand or foot. RESULTS: All flaps survived completely, and no complications were observed. CONCLUSION: The adipofascial flap is a convenient flap for coverage of soft tissue with exposure of vital structure in the hand or foot, and provide several advantages, as following; easy and safe, short operating time, one stage procedure, thinness and good pliability of the flap, preservation of the major vascular pedicles, skin preservation at the donor site, thus preserve the shape of the limb and minimize donor site scar.