Reconstruction of palmar soft tissue defect of digits using dorsal digital flap with bilaterally dorsal branch of proper palmar digital nerve / 中华显微外科杂志

Objective:To describe the reconstruction of palmar soft tissue defect of digit using dorsal digital flaps including double dorsal branches of the proper palmar digital nerves (DBPPDN) and report the results of the application of the flaps.Methods:From May, 2005 to April, 2019, a retrospective study was conducted on 113 digits of 113 patients who had palmar soft tissue defects in single digit treated with 4 types of dorsal digital flaps with bilaterally DBPPDN. Flap types: ① Modified cross-digit flap in 29 digits of 29 cases; ②Dorsal digital flap based on the dorsal branch of proper palmar digital artery (DBPPDA) in 43 digits of 43 cases; ③First dorsal metacarpal artery flap in 23 digits of 23 cases; ④ Free dorsal digit flap in 18 digits of 18 cases. In control group, single-innervated flap was used for repair of the defects, only one of injured proper palmar digital nerves on both sides was repaired with DBPPDN. Static TPD, VAS and patient satisfaction of the injured digits were evaluated by means of outpatient follow-up. The t test was applied to compare the 2 groups in relation to the quantitative outcomes. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:In the dual-innervated flap group, flap ischemia was shown in 11 digits and venous congestion was noted in 7 digits. Partial necrosis was noted in 9 flaps and healed without surgical intervention. In the dual-innervated and single-innervated flap groups, the mean static TPD were (6.92±0.12) mm and (8.92±0.20) mm, the score of VAS were (0.46±0.08) and (1.11±0.28), and patient satisfaction were (4.45±0.06) and (4.00±0.16). Significant difference was found between the 2 groups in static TPD, VAS and patient satisfaction. Dual-innervated flaps presented better discriminatory sensation on the flap ( P<0.01) and lower pain incidence ( P=0.0032) and higher patient satisfaction ( P=0.0014). Conclusion:The 4 types of dual-innervated flap are useful in reconstruction of palmar soft tissue defects of digits, especially in prevention of neuropathic pain.

Clinical efficacy of dorsal digital nerve fasciocutaneous pedicle flap with superficial vein anastomosis in repair of the type III and type IV of fingertip defects / 中华显微外科杂志

Objective To analysis the clinical efficacy of dorsal digital nerves fasciocutaneous pedicle flap (DDNFPF) with superficial vein anastomosis in the treatment of the type III and type IV of fingertip defect, and the re鄄lationship between the incidence of vein crisis and superficial vein anastomosis. Methods A total of 85 patients with 92 fingers, treated by DDNFPF from February, 2017 to December, 2018, were retrospectively analyzed.The superficial veins of 30 patients with 32 fingers were anastomosed, and 55 patients with 60 fingers were not. The difference of the superior rate and the incidence of venous crisis between superficial vein anastomosis and non-superficial vein anasto鄄mosis was compared by Chi-square test. The difference was considered as statistically significant when P＜0.05. The regular postoperative followed-up was performed. Results The average followed-up time was (7.0±2.9) months. The incidence of venous crisis in anastomosis group (1/32) was lower than that in non-anastomosis group (13/60). The dif鄄ference was statistically significant ( χ2=4.217, P＜0.05). There was no significant difference in the superior rate be鄄tween the 2 groups after operation(96.8% and 90.0% respectively, χ2=0.596, P＞0.05). The repaired fingertips of the 2 groups were in good appearance, wear-resistant, stable holders and two-point discrimination was 5 to 8 mm. Con鄄clusion DDNFPF for the type III and IV type of fingertip defect is safe and effective. A anastomosis of superficial veins in recipient area can significantly reduce the incidence of venous crisis.

Clinical efficacy of dorsal digital nerve fasciocutaneous pedicle flap with superficial vein anastomosis in repair of the type III and type IV of fingertip defects / 中华显微外科杂志

Objective@#To analysis the clinical efficacy of dorsal digital nerves fasciocutaneous pedicle flap (DDNFPF) with superficial vein anastomosis in the treatment of the type III and type IV of fingertip defect, and the relationship between the incidence of vein crisis and superficial vein anastomosis.@*Methods@#A total of 85 patients with 92 fingers, treated by DDNFPF from February, 2017 to December, 2018, were retrospectively analyzed. The superficial veins of 30 patients with 32 fingers were anastomosed, and 55 patients with 60 fingers were not. The difference of the superior rate and the incidence of venous crisis between superficial vein anastomosis and non-superficial vein anastomosis was compared by Chi-square test. The difference was considered as statistically significant when P<0.05. The regular postoperative followed-up was performed.@*Results@#The average followed-up time was (7.0±2.9) months. The incidence of venous crisis in anastomosis group (1/32) was lower than that in non-anastomosis group (13/60). The difference was statistically significant (χ2=4.217, P<0.05) . There was no significant difference in the superior rate between the 2 groups after operation (96.8% and 90.0% respectively, χ2=0.596, P>0.05) . The repaired fingertips of the 2 groups were in good appearance, wear-resistant, stable holders and two-point discrimination was 5 to 8 mm.@*Conclusion@#DDNFPF for the type III and IV type of fingertip defect is safe and effective. A anastomosis of superficial veins in recipient area can significantly reduce the incidence of venous crisis.

Schwannoma Arising from the Plantar Digital Nerve of the 2nd Toe: A Case Report / 대한족부족관절학회지

A schwannoma is a benign tumor that originates from the peripheral nerve sheath. Schwannomas occur most commonly in the head and neck region involving the brachial plexus and the spinal nerves. The lower limbs are less commonly affected. This paper presents a case of a patient with a schwannoma showing atypical localization at the digital nerve of the foot causing neurological symptoms.

Effect comparison of anterograde and reverse digital artery island flap in repairing of fingertip defects / 局解手术学杂志

Objective To evaluate the clinical effect of anterograde and reverse digital artery island flap in treatment of wound repairing for fingertip defects.Methods From January 2015 to December 2016,there were 35 patients with fingertip defects underwent surgical treat-ment in our hospital,including 14 cases underwent surgery with anterograde digital artery island flap(anterograde group)and 21 cases under-went surgery with reverse digital artery island flap(reverse group).The anterograde group used proper palmar digital artery and nerve as the pedicle of flap,then took forward the finger pulp flap to the injured site.The reverse flap from the dorsal of one side of finger was harvested for coverage of the distal phalanx.Results All the flaps of the 35 cases were survived.In the anterograde group,reflux obstacle of vein appeared in 1 case,and it was cured with scarification procedures.In the reverse group,there were 3 cases of vascular crisis.After dressing release and partial remove of the stitching,2 cases of them return to normal.The other 1 case suffered from flap edge necrosis,and then the wound healed after dressing change.The operation time of anterograde group was(107.5 ±18.4)min and it was(139.5 ±18.0)min in the reverse group, which showed significant difference between the two groups(P<0.05).All the 35 cases were followed up for 6 to 12 months,with an average of 8.5 months.At the last follow-up,it showed that patients in both of the two groups had ruddy color,good texture and no significant bloated flap appearance.In the anterograde group,the sensory function of 12 patients restored to S4 and 2 patients restored to S3.Meanwhile,in re-verse group,5 patients restored to S3,12 patients restored to S2, and 4 patients restored to S1.The two-points discrimination of the antero-grade group was(4.22 ±0.67)mm,and it was(7.04 ±1.25)mm in the reverse group,which was significantly different(P<0.05).The in-terphalangeal joint motion was(102.67 ±7.35)°at the distal end and(64.46 ±8.37)°at the proximal end in anterograde group.And it was (100.64 ±10.29)°and(60.81 ±10.80)°respectively in the reverse group,with no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05).The excellent and good rate was 92.8%in the anterograde group and 80.9%in the reverse group by the criteria for functional evaluation,and there was no statistically significant difference(P>0.05).Conclusion For fingertip defects(IshikawaⅠ~Ⅲ)treated by anterograde digital artery island flap or reverse digital artery island flap both can obtained good clinical efficacy.But it has shorter operation time and better sensory recovery with anterograde digital artery island flap repairing.

Response of three digital anesthetic technics in horses with forelimb hoof lameness / Resposta de três técnicas anestésicas digitais em equinos com claudicação dos membros anteriores ligada ao casco

The presented study aimed to assess objectively the response of distal interphalangeal joint (DIJ), navicular bursa (NB) and deep digital flexor tendon sheath (DDFTS) anesthesia in horses with forelimb hoof lameness; and evaluate if the presence of radiographic abnormalities on navicular bone could interfere on blocks' results. Fifteen horses with lameness improvement above 70% after palmar digital nerve (PDN) block were selected for this study. Blocks were assessed separately on five consecutive trials at seven different time-points. The fifth trial was performed to evaluate the influence of exercise on preexisting lameness. Most of horses (73.33%) presented pain related to the podotrochlear apparatus based on clinical and lameness exam and blocks' responses. NB and DIJ anesthesia differed on the frequency of horses with lameness improvement above 70% only at 10min (p=0.03), and both differed from DDFTS block until 30'(p<0.05). The blocks' response was variable along the time and the highest means for NB, DIJ and DDFTS were observed at 5-10 minutes ('), 15-20' and 10-15' respectively.Exercise had low interference on lameness intensity since no improvement above 50% was observed and an increase on lameness intensity over time was identified in seven horses. Variable grades of navicular bone radiographic lesions were observed in 14 horses, although these lesions had no interference on blocks' response (p>0.05). The NB and DIJ blocks had similar responses and both were superior to DDFTS anesthesia, coincident with a major prevalence of podotroclear apparatus abnormalities in this equine population.(AU)

O presente estudo avaliou, de forma objetiva, as respostas do bloqueio da articulação interfalangeana distal (AID), da bursa do navicular (BN) e da bainha do tendão flexor digital profundo (BTFDP) em equinos com claudicação ligada ao casco nos membros torácicos; além de analisar a influência das alterações radiográficas do osso navicular no resultado dos bloqueios. Quinze cavalos, que apresentaram uma melhora da claudicação acima de 70% após o bloqueio do nervo digital palmar, foram selecionados para este estudo. Os bloqueios foram avaliados separadamente em cinco turnos consecutivos e em sete tempos diferentes. O quinto turno foi utilizado para analisar a influência do exercício sobre a claudicação preexistente. A maioria dos cavalos (73,33%) apresentou dor relacionada à porção palmar do casco, com base nos achados do exame clínico em movimento e nas respostas dos bloqueios. As anestesias da BN e da AID apresentaram diferença quanto à frequência de cavalos com melhora da claudicação acima de 70% apenas aos 10min (p=0.03), e ambos diferiram do bloqueio da BTFDP até os 30min (p<0.05). A resposta dos bloqueios foi variada ao longo do tempo, e as maiores médias de melhora da claudicação para os bloqueios BN, AID e BTFDP foram observadas aos 5-10min, 15-20min e 10-15min, respectivamente. O exercício teve pequena interferência na intensidade da claudicação, uma vez que nenhuma melhora acima de 50% foi observada e sete cavalos aumentaram a intensidade da claudicação ao longo do tempo. A presença de diferentes graus de lesão radiográfica do osso navicular foi observada em 14 cavalos, porém essas lesões não interferiram na resposta dos bloqueios (p>0,05). Os bloqueios da BN e da AID apresentaram respostas semelhantes, e ambos foram superiores ao bloqueio da BTFDP, coincidindo com uma marcada prevalência de doença do aparato podotroclear nesta população de equinos.(AU)

Transferring the ulnaris proper digital nerve of index finger and its dorsal branch to repair the thumb nerve avulsion / 中国修复重建外科杂志

Results: All incisions healed by first intention. Ten cases of thumb reimplantation were successful. All the patients were followed up for 5 months to 2 years and 8 months, with an average of 1 year and 4 months. Two-point discrimination was 3-9 mm (mean, 6.8 mm). According to Society of Hand Surgery standard for the evaluation of upper part of the function, the sensory of the thumb was rated as S 4 in 18 cases and S3+ in 5 cases; the sensory at donor sites recovered to S3. Conclusion Transferring the ulnaris proper digital nerve of index finger and its dorsal branch to repair the thumb nerve avulsion is a simple and effective method to restore sensory function of the thumb pulp.

Pacinian corpuscle-like structure in the digital tendon sheath and nail bed: a study using late-stage human fetuses / 대한해부학회지

Pacinian corpuscle-like structures were identified in the digital tendon sheaths and nail beds of hands obtained from eight of 12 human fetuses of gestational age 20–34 weeks (crown-rump length, 150–290 mm). The aberrant corpuscles were present in tight fibrous tissue connecting the flexor tendon sheath to the dorsal aponeurosis (138 corpuscles in the thumbs and all fingers of eight fetuses); loose fibrous tissue inside the sheath on the dorsal side of the tendon (37 corpuscles in the thumbs and all fingers of four fetuses); and the nail bed (10 clusters in the thumbs and second fingers of four smaller fetuses). The aberrant corpuscles in the tendon sheath were classified into two types: thin and short, with tightly packed lamellae, of diameter 20–40 µm and length 20–200 µm; and thick and long, with loosely packed lamellae, of diameter 70–150 µm and length 0.5–1.5 mm. The small corpuscles tended to form clusters, each containing 5–10 structures. Their similarity indicated that the tight and loose lamellae in these two types of corpuscles corresponded to typical immature and mature corpuscles, respectively, usually distributed along the palmar digital nerve. However, mature, large corpuscles were absent from the nail bed, and most aberrant corpuscles were smaller than typical corpuscles along the nerve. The aberrant corpuscles were apparently incorporated into the tendon sheath or nail bed during fetal vascular development, but they appeared to degenerate after birth due to mechanical stress from the tendon or nail.

Sensory Neuropathy of the Common Palmar Digital Nerve Caused by Ganglion Cyst

Ganglion cysts that arise from the palm and compress the median nerve are rarely reported. Previous studies have described ganglion cysts compressing the motor branch of the median nerve, but no reports have described sensory neuropathy of the common palmar digital nerve as a result of ganglion cysts. We present a case of sensory neuropathy similar to carpal tunnel syndrome caused by a ganglion cyst that originated from the second carpometacarpal joint.

The Importance of Preoperative Imaging Study on a Solitary Neurofibroma Originated from the Digital Nerve

This case is about a rare type of a solitary neurofibroma that originated from the digital nerve between the proximal phalanx of a finger and the web space, which was first misdiagnosed as giant cell tumor, ganglionic cyst, or fibroma originating from the tendon before radiologic studies were done. The preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a non-enhanced well-circumscribed mass and the digital nerve was deviated to the volar-medial side due to the mass effect. Since neurofibroma is difficult to differentiate from others by physical examination, crucial information such as the connection between the mass and the nerve or the deviation of the digital nerve can be obtained by MRI findings. And it is important to plan the surgery safely from this information.

Anatomic Variation of the Common Palmar Digital Nerves and Arteries

Variations in the course and distribution of common palmar digital nerves and arteries are rare. A classic common palmar digital nerves and arteries are defined as concomitant. During routine dissection classes to undergraduate medical students we observed formation of each common palmar digital nerve divided into 2 or 3 branches and formed a ring enclosing the corresponding common palmar digital artery. Knowledge of the anatomical variations of the common palmar digital nerves and arteries is crucial for safe and successful hand surgery.

Arched nerves of double end-to-side neuroanastomosis for repairing bilateral acute proper digital nerve injuries / 第二军医大学学报

Objective To explore a new method for repairing bilateral acute proper digital nerve injuries. Methods From Feb. 2009 to Aug. 2012, 56 patients with bilateral acute proper digital nerve injuries were admitted to our center, with20 undergoing double end-to-side neuroanastomosis. During operation, the injured digital nerve was excised, and then the bilateral distal ends and proximal endswere stured, consequently forming the distal and proximal nerve bows. A cutaneous antebrachii lateralis nerve was freed and obtained from the homolateral forearm, and then was equally divided into 2 parts to bridge the 2 nerve bows. Twenty patients underwent nerve graft with end-to-end neuroanastomosis, and the rest 16 patients underwent direct end-to-end neuroanastomosis. Results All the patients achieved primary healing of wound after operation, with no circulation disorders. A total of 50 patientswere followed up for 3-12 months. In double end-to-side neuroanastomosis group, 18 patientswere successfully followed up, with the average sensation measurement being S3+, which was significantly higher than those of the other 2 groups(P = 0. 024). The average result of two point discrimination was (5. 2±0. 7) mm, which was significantly lower than those of the other 2 groups(P = 0. 037). According to TAM scales, the results of finger joint motion were excellent in 14 cases, good in 3 cases and fair in 1; and there were no significant differences in the motion of joints between the 3 groups (P = 0. 914). In nerve graft with end-to-end neuroanastomosis group, 19 patients were successfully followed up; the average result of sensation measurement was S2 and the average result of two point discrimination was (7. 2±1. 4) mm. In direct end-to-end neuroanastomosis group, 13 patients were successfully followed up; the average result of sensation measurement was S3 and the average result of two point discrimination was (6. 3±0. 8) mm. Conclusion The arched nerves of double end-to-side neuroanastomosis can be used for repairing bilateral acute proper digital nerve injuries, which can quickly restore the sensation of fingers, but the related conclusion needs further verification with large sample studies.

Repair of radial and digital nerve defect with human acellular nerve allograft:6 cases report / 中华显微外科杂志

Objective To explore the safety and clinical effect of the human acellular nerve allograft (hANG) for repairing peripheral nerve defects.Methods During November,2009 to October,2010,6 patients with 3 digital nerve defects and 3 radial nerve defects were repaired with hANG.During postoperation period,safety was evaluated by local wound response and laboratory testing,while the efficacy was evaluated by British Medical Research Council sensory function assessment standards,static 2-point discrimination (2PD) and Semmes-Weinstein monofilament testing.Results Three patients with 6 digital nerve defects received hANG transplant.The length of nerve graft was 20-50 mm(mean 30.8 mm).After followed up for 31-40 months,the excellent rate of 2PD was 66.7％.Two of 3 patients rahabilited as well as the normal.Three patients with radial nerve defects,whose length of nerve graft was 35-60 mm(mean 48.3 mm).The strength of extensor carpiradialis longus muscle had restored Ⅲ in 1 case,and other 2 cases had no restoration.Conclusion hANG is safe and effective for repairing peripheral nerve defects,especially for digital nerve defects.

Anatomic Study of the Vessels of the Digital Nerves in the Fingers

PURPOSE: The vessels of peripheral nerves have been extensively studied since Breidenbach used vascularizd nerve grafts. Tayor and Pinel studied the course and distribution of the vessels of peripheral nerves. However, the vessels of digital nerves are still not well known. The objective of this study was to prove vessels of digital nerves and to investigate the pathway of that. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 36 patients and 2 fresh human cadavers were studied under the microscope and histologic sections under the light microscope. RESULTS: We found that digital nerves had own arterioles and venules as well as peripheral nerves. This small vessels of digital nerves paralleled the digital nerves or run in a spiral. Digital nerves were abundantly vascularized throught their length by a succession of vessels and by their repeated divisions and anastomoses. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical implications of this results can be discussed in relation to the dissection of nerves, the possibility of vasculized nerve grafts.

Intraneural Ganglion of the Digital Nerve of the Hand: A Case Report

Intraneural ganglia in the upper extremity are rare, and the involvement of the digital nerve of hand has not been reported. The following case report demonstrates a 57-year-old woman with a symptomatic nodular mass on the thenar area of the left hand. Magnetic resonance images showed a lobulated, homogeneous mass of high signal intensity on T2-weighted images and low signal intensity with peripheral enhancement on T1-weighted images. Excisional biopsy and histopathologic examination revealed an intraneural ganglion of the digital nerve of the thumb. Her symptom disappeared immediately after the surgery, and has remained free of abnormal sensation and parestheia for the 3-year follow-up period.

Contribución proximal del nervio ulnar para la formación del nervio digital palmar propio ulnar del dedo mínimo / Proximal contribution of the ulnar nerve in the formation of the ulnar proper palmar digital nerve of the little finger

La anatomía de la mano presenta padrones generales en la distribución de los nervios responsables de la inervación motora y sensitiva. Sin embargo, se encuentran variaciones que son de interés para la anatomía quirúrgica de la región. En una serie de 20 manos disecadas, en 19 (95 por ciento) observamos que el nervio digital palmar propio del lado ulnar del dedo mínimo correspondía a un ramo directo del nervio ulnar y en el caso restante (5 por ciento), de un cadáver de sexo femenino, se observó un ramo de origen antebraquial que participó en la formación del nervio digital palmar propio ulnar del dedo mínimo. Este ramo se originó desde el tronco del nervio ulnar, distal al origen del ramo dorsal de este nervio y proximal al hueso pisiforme. En su trayecto pasó a través del músculo abductor del dedo mínimo, emergiendo por la cara superficial de éste a una distancia de 11,3 mm del origen del músculo en el hueso pisiforme, uniéndose al nervio digital palmar propio del dedo mínimo, distal al hueso mencionado. A pesar que la literatura muestra diversas variaciones en la formación y distribución de los nervios en la mano, la disposición descrita es inusual y no ha sido mencionada en ella.

The hand anatomy presents general patterns in motor and sensitive nerves distribution. However, is possible to find some variations that are very important for the surgical anatomy of the region. We study 20 hands of 10 cadaver individuals, fixed in 10 percent formaldehyde solution. We found in 19 hands (95 percent) that the ulnar proper palmar digital nerve of the little finger was a direct branch of the ulnar nerve and only one case (5 percent) - of female cadaver ¡ we observed one branch originated from the forearm, which was a part in the formation of the nerve mentioned above. This branch originated from the trunk of the ulnar nerve, distal to the origin of the dorsal branch of this nerve, proximal to the pisiform bone. This nerve passed through of the abductor digiti minimi muscle and then it emerged by the superficial face of this muscle, 11,3 mm distal to its origin in the pisiform bone. Then, it joined to the ulnar proper palmar digital nerve of the little finger, distal to mentioned bone. Although the literature describes innumerous variations in the formation and distribution of the hand nerves, this disposition is rare and has not been mentioned.

Distally based dorsal digital neurocutaneous flap for finger-pulp reconstruction / 中华显微外科杂志

Objective To introduce the clinical experience and investigate venous drainage of distal- ly-based dorsal digital neurocutaneous flap for finger-pulp reconstruction.Methods From Mar.2004 to Oct.2005,18 patients with traumatic finger-pulp defect (＞2cm) were treated by distally based dorsal ho- modigital neurocutaneous flaps.The flap measured 2 cm?2cm～3cm?4cm with the neuro-veno-adipal ped- icle 1cm wide and 2～3cm long.The pivot points were proximal to the PIP joints.The dorsal digital nerve was neurorrhaphied with the proper digital nerve of the recipient site.The dorsal digital vein was ligated at 1cm distal to the pivot point to prevent venous ingress.No venous anastomosis was performed.Results All the flaps survived but had some degrees of venous congestion and swelling,and 8 flaps developed tension blisters. In 13 flaps with follow-up more than 6 months,protective sensation was restored.Conclusion Dorsal digit- al neurocutaneous flap is simple and effective for finger-pulp reconstruction.Ligating the big superficial vein at the distal base to interrupt venous ingress,and allowing the proximal vein open and venous egress,can reduce flap congestion and swelling.

Symmetric Lipofibromatous Hamartoma Affecting Digital Nerves

Lipofibromatous hamartoma of the nerve is a benign tumor, which affects the major nerves and their branches in the human body. It is often found in the median nerve of the hand and is commonly associated with macrodactyly, but it is rarely found in the digital nerves at the peripheral level. This tumor is often found in young adults and may go through a self- limiting course. However, operation is indicated when the tumor size is large or when the associated nerve compressive symptoms are present. We have experienced a rare case of lipofibromatous hamartoma that symmetrically involved the volar digital nerves of both index fingers on the ulnar side. With the aid of a microscope, we dissected and removed the tumor as much as possible without sacrificing the nerve. No sensory change occurred in both fingers and no sign of recurrence was observed upon follow-up.

The Distribution Patterns of the Cutaneous Nerves on Dorsum of the Hands in the Korean / 체질인류학회지

In order to investigate the distribution patterns of the dorsal digital nerves of the radial and ulnar nerve in the Korean, authors dissect the 113 hands (right 58/left 55) of the 59 cadavers (39 males/20 females). The types were classified by the area of radial dorsal digital nerves and the ulnar digital nerves. The difference in the distribution pattern between males and females, right and left hands was analysed by chi2-test in the case presenting the prequency more than 10%. The results as follows; 1. The ten types of the distribution patterns consisted of the radial and ulnar nerves were observed on the dorsum of the hands. 2. The case of the highest prequency was type VIII(33.9%), in which radial nerve supply the radial side of the 2 1-2 of digits and ulnar nerve extends the ulnar side 2 1-2 of digits. 3. In the cases of the both nerve mingling in the third digital web, the incidences in which the radial nerves extend to the radial half of ring finger and ulnar nerve to the ulnar half of middle finger (type III) were 25.7%, and that the radial nerves extend to the ulnar half of middle finger and ulnar nerve to the ulnar half of middle finger (type VI) were 11.0%. 4. Type IV as combined branch between the radial and the ulnar nerve extend to the third digital web was observed in the 12.8%. 5. The type III, VI, IX, X, XI showing the both nerves mingling in the third digital web and in the second digital web or combining in the second digital web were new observed in the Korean. 6. The musculocutaneous nerve replaces the superficial branch of the radial nerve in 4 cases. 7. There was no statistical difference in the distribution pattern between males and females, right and left hands. From the above results, it was suggested that the majority of the cases were that the ulnar digital nerves supplied the ulnar half of the middle finger in the Korean.

TREATMENT OF TOTAL AVULSION THE WHOLE HAND WITH DIGITAL NERVES PRESERVATION AND UPPER ABDOMINAL BAG-SHAPED SKIN FLAP / 解放军医学杂志

The treatment of total avulsion of the hand is somewhat difficult and the result usually not satisfactory. Four cases of such patients were treated from 1983 to 1987. After routine debridement, digital nerves and its surrounding adipose tissue were preserved. An "S" shape skin flap was designed an raised in the contralateral upper abdominal quadrant to cover the injured hand like a bag, so that both sides of the hand were covered. The donor area (12cm2) was directly sutured. Nerve endings might grow into the flaps because of the preservation of digital nerves. Three patients were followed-up for 2 to 6 years, the injured hands regained good pain sensation as well as stereognostic and temperatuer sensations. The function of the hand is satisfactory, but the flap looked bulky and multiple plastic operations were necessary to seperate the fingers.