A comparative study of two kinds of reverse radial flap for thumb soft tissue reconstruction / 中华显微外科杂志

Objective To evaluate the clinical results of the thumb dorsoradial flap and the greater thenar flap for coverage of thumb soft tissue defect,and to provide guidance on clinical selection of flaps.Methods From January,2013 to June,2014,23 thumb dorsoradial flaps and 20 greater thenar flaps were used to repair the soft tissues defects in thumbs and were followed up to compare the results.Patient satisfaction,cold intolerance scores,TAM of the reconstructed thumb,sensation (pain and temperature sensation,Semmes-Weinstein monofilament test,static two-point discrimination) and blood perfusion of the flaps were recorded and analyzed statistically.Results Thumb dorsoradial flaps group:patient satisfaction was (36.97 ± 7.70)％,cold intolerance score was 58.96 ± 12.47,TAM of the thumb was (87.57 ± 12.83)°,median Semmes-Weinstein monofilament test was 3.61mm,static two-point discrimination was (14.22 ± 2.84)mm,and blood perfusion was (98.41 ± 15.66) PU.Greater thenar flaps group:patient satisfaction was (50.00 ± 10.80)％,cold intolerance score was 60.45 ± 14.10,TAM of the thumb was (95.00 ± 14.58)°,median Semmes-Weinstein monofilament test was 4.31mm,static twopoint discrimination was (20.70 ± 2.56)mm,and blood perfusion was (104.74 ± 14.12)PU.The greater thenar flap had a larger degree of satisfaction than the dorsoradial flap (P ＜ 0.05).Both pain and temperature sensation of the flap were regained in all cases,but the dorsoradial flap presented better Semmes-Weinstein monofilament score and static two-point discrimination(P ＜ 0.05).No differences were found regarding TAM of the thumb,cold intolerance score and blood perfusion of the flap (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion The dorsoradial flap is suitable for repairing the thumb pulp defect due to its good sensation.For the small defect of non-functional dorsal area,the greater thenar flap will be a satisfactory method.

A Comparision of Functional Outcomes after Successful Replantation versus Thenar Flap for Single Fingertip Amputations

PURPOSE: This retrospective study was to determine the functional results of patients who were amputated of their fingertip between patients who were treated with replantation and patients who were treated with thenar flap. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 2004 to 2007, we identified and operated 159 patients who were diagnosed with fingertip amputations. Of 159 patients, Eighty-two patients were treated by replantation (67 in men and 14 in women) and the mean age at the operation was 41 years (range, 15-68 years). Seventy-nine patients was treated with thenar flap(54 in men and 25 in women) and the mean age at the operation was 43 years(range, 21-70 years). We compared variables between two groups including, age, gender, diagnosis, duration of hospital admission, grip strength, two-point discrimination, Semmes Weinstein monofilament test, active range of motion (ROM) of the proximal and distal interphalangeal (PIP and DIP) joint, pain (or tenderness), paresthesia, cold intolerance, the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire, and finger for activities of daily living (ADLs). RESULTS: The duration of admission was longer in Replantation group than in Thenar flap group(p=0.001). However, the grip strength (p=0.003) and Semmes Weinstein monofilament test (p=0.029) in the Replanation group were statistically superior to the Thenar flap group. The average DASH disability (p=0.003)/symptom score (p=0.007) and ADLs (p<0.001) in the Replantation group was statistically better. In addition, cold intoleranace test of Thenar flap group is worse than the Replantation group. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrate that fingertip replantation have demonstrated not only to obtain the best appearance but also to gain better functional outcome. However, it is impossible to perform replatation, the thenar flap can be limited alternative method for fingertip amputation in aspect of preservation of range of motion and hospitalization time.

A Modified Free Thenar Flap with Constant Innervations and Its Clinical Application

PURPOSE: A modified free thenar flap was designed for coverage of volar finger defect with constant innervation using the palmar cutaneous branch of the median nerve. After clinical application of this flap, sensory results were evaluated in 6 cases. METHODS: Patients were selected who have volar soft tissue defect with or without fingertip defect. The six cases of the innervated free thenar flap were performed since September 2009, and sensory outcomes were evaluated by the Semmes-Weinstein monofilament and two-point discriminator at four and half month after the surgery. RESULTS: The Semmes-Weinstein Monofilament test revealed 3 cases showed 2.83, 1 case showed 3.61, 1 case showed 4.31 and 1 case showed 4.56. The static two-point discrimination test revealed 1 case showed 4mm, 1 case showed 6mm, 2 cases showed 9mm, and 2 cases showed over 15mm. The moving two-point discrimination test revealed 1 case showed 3mm, 1 case showed 4mm, 1 case showed 5mm, 1 case showed 7mm, and 2 cases showed over 15mm. The donor sites showed no significant limitation of the thumb and neuroma formation. CONCLUSION: The innervated free thenar flap showed good sensory outcomes as a sensate free flap in a short time after surgery. It can be an option for coverage of volar finger defects that requires sensation.

Comparison Between the Digital Artery Perforator Flaps and the Distant Flaps within Hand

PURPOSE: The digital artery perforator flap was recently introduced and has been proven to be useful for reconstruction of various finger defects. Short operative time, less invasive surgery, and reliable flap circulation are the major advantages of this flap. The authors presented the clinical cases of the digital artery perforator flap and compared them with the distant flaps within a hand (thenar and hypothenar flaps) to reveal their differences. METHODS: From May of 2006 to February of 2009, the authors performed reconstructions of finger defects with the digital artery perforator flaps in 10 patients as with the distant flaps within hand in 9 patients (7 thenar and 2 hypothenar flaps). In these two groups of the patients, flap size, use of skin graft, length of stay in hospital, healing time, complications were reviewed retrospectively and compared with statistical analysis (Student's t-test). RESULTS: All flaps survived completely. The mean size of the perforator flap was 0.9 x 1.9 cm and the mean distant flap within a hand was 1.9 x 2.0 cm. The use of skin graft was reduced in the perforator group because the donor site of the flap was closed primarily. The hospitalization period and healing time also reduced significantly in the perforator group. Minor complications (partial flap loss) were noted in small percentages in both groups but resolved with conservative management. Mean follow-up period was about 6 weeks. CONCLUSION: The digital artery perforator flap was smaller than the distant flap but its reconstruction of finger defects was reliable and comparable to the conventional distant flaps within a hand. This flap would be not only an alternative method but very useful in the management of various finger defects, because of ease of operative technique, less invasive surgery, decreased need of skin graft, and shorter period of hospitalization and healing time.