Functional Reconstruction of the Digit using Palmaris Longus Tendocutaneous Arterialized Venous Free Flap

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to present the results after functional reconstruction of the digits using palmaris longus tendocutaneous arterialized venous free flap in digits with compound defects. METHODS: This study is based on 29 cases of palmaris longus tendocutaneous arterialized venous free flaps harvested from the ipsilateral wrist for the reconstruction of compound defect of the digits. Over the past 10 years, we performed in 17 cases of complex defects of extensor tendon on dorsum of the digits, 7 cases of collateral ligament of the proximal or distal interphalangeal joint and 5 cases of flexor tendon defect with soft tissue defect on the palmar aspect of the digits. We assessed survival rate of the flaps and functional recovery of the digits. RESULTS: All free flaps completely survived except one with completele necrosis and another one with 50% necrosis. In cases of extensor tendon defect, the mean total active range of motion of the digits was 180degrees, in cases of flexor tendon reconstruction, it was 165degrees. In reconstruction of collateral ligament of interphalangeal joint of the thumb and digits, flexion and extension was within normal range and we got very good results without instability in all 7 cases. CONCLUSION: Palmaris longus tendocutaneous arterialized venous free flaps are very useful for reconstruction of composite defect of the digits with extensor or flexor tendons as well as collateral ligaments.

Arterialized Venous Free Flap at the Insufficient Vascular Recipient Bed in Finger Reconstruction

PURPOSE: Arterialized venous flap is useful for reconstruction of the traumatic soft tissue defect in fingers, but insufficient circulation of the traumatic fingers makes surgeons annoying to use the flap. We have grafted flaps in 7 fingers with insufficient vascular bed hoping to expanded the category of the flap. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Arterialized venous flap have transplanted in 7 fingers from March 2008 through February 2010 and followed up for 4 to 16 months(average 7.2 months). They were all male with a mean age at the time of surgery was 33. The main injury was crushing in 4 degloving, contact burn and saw injury was I respectively. Time interval from injury to flap transplantation was average 3.1. weeks(3 days to 6 weeks). Designed flap size ranges from 8 cm x 3.5 cm to 4 cm x 3 cm. Vessel type of flap was one artery with two veins were 5 cases and one artey with one vein 2. Flap type was cutaneous in 3, tendocutaneous 2, neurotendocutaneous 1 and neurocutaneous 1. The circulation state of recipient site was avascular in 2 cases, insufficiency 3 and tip avascular 2. RESULTS: Arterialized venous flap was complete survived in 2 cases, partial necrosis(less than 10%) 3 and failed in 2. CONCLUSION: An arterialized venous free flap could be a useful procedure for reconstruction in soft tissue or combined defect of the finger despite an avascular or insufficient vascular beds if the recipient beds were free from infection.

Reconstruction of Soft Tissue Defects in the Finger using Arterialized Venous Free Flaps

PURPOSE: To report the clinical results of the use of arterialized venous free flaps in reconstruction in soft tissue defects of the finger and to extend indications for the use of such flaps based on the clinical experiences of the authors. Materials and METHODS: Eighteen patients who underwent arterialized venous free flaps for finger reconstruction, between May 2007 and July 2009 were reviewed retrospectively. The mean flap size was 4.7x3.2 cm. The donor site was the ipsilateral volar aspect of the distal forearm in all cases. There were 8 cases of venous skin flaps, 5 cases of neurocutaneous flaps, 4 cases of tendocutaneous flaps, 1 case of innervated tendocutaneous flap. The vascuality of recipient beds was good except in 4 cases (partial devascuality in 2, more than 50% avascuality (bone cement) in 2). RESULTS: All flaps were survived. The mean number of included veins was 2.27 per flap. Mean static two-point discrimination was 10.5 mm in neurocutaneous flaps. In 3 of 5 cases where tendocutaneous flaps were used, active ROM at the PIP joint was 60 degrees, 30 degrees at the DIP joint and 40 degrees at the IP joint of thumb. There were no specific complications except partial necrosis in 3 cases. CONCLUSIONS: An arterialized venous free flap is a useful procedure for single-stage reconstruction in soft tissue or combined defect of the finger; we consider that this technique could be applied to fingers despite avascular recipient beds if the periphery of recipient bed vascularity is good.

Arterialized Venous Free Flap with Palmaris Longus Tendon for the One-Stage Reconstruction of Defects of Skin and Extensor Tendon / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to introduce our new modified surgical method using a tendocutaneous flap, which is an arterialized venous free flap with palmaris longus tendon, to reconstruct composite defects of the dorsal skin and extensor tendons of the hand and to evaluate the clinical results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between March 1994 and December 2001, composite defects of the hands in 39 patients were reconstructed using various modifications of arterialized venous free flap. Among these patients, eight cases of tendocutaneous type were included in this study. The mean age of the patients was 33.2 years (ranging from 19 to 49), and the flap sizes ranged from 1.5x2 cm to 4x7 cm. In 2 of the 8 cases, neurorrhaphy using forearm cutaneous nerve was performed simultaneously for of digital nerve reconstruction. RESULTS: All flaps survived successfully and covered exposed bone and tendon. Marginal necrosis occurred partially in one case by less than 10% and this was completely recovered without any further surgical treatment. A functional range of motion (ROM) at the involved joint was achieved in an average ROM of 70 degrees at the PIP joint and 25 degrees at the DIP joint. CONCLUSION: Tendocutaneous arterialized venous free flap with palmaris longus tendon, is was found to be especially useful surgical foro reconstruct in a composite defects of the dorsal skin and extensor tendon of the hand.