ABSTRACT
Objective: To explore the surgical method and effectiveness of the great toenail bed flap supplied with the fibular dorsal artery of great toe in repair of the finger nail bed central longitudinal defect. Methods: Between May 2012 and February 2017, 7 cases (7 fingers) with the finger nail bed central longitudinal defects were repaired with the great toenail bed flap supplied with the fibular dorsal artery of great toe. There were 3 males and 4 females; the age ranged from 17 to 35 years (mean, 27 years). The cause of injury included cutting injury in 2 cases, electric shaving injury in 3 cases, and frictional injury in 2 cases. The defect located at thumb in 3 cases, index finger in 3 cases, and middle finger in 1 case. The defect area ranged from 12 mm×8 mm to 21 mm×13 mm. The time from injury to admission was 1-2 hours (mean, 1.5 hours). The area of the great toenail bed flap ranged from 14 mm×10 mm to 23 mm×15 mm. The wound of donor site was directly sutured in 3 cases and repaired with full thickness skin graft in 4 cases. Results: All the great toenail bed flaps and skin grafts at the donor sites survived; and all wounds healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 9 to 36 months (mean, 23 months). The finger nails were smooth and shiny and recovered ideal appearance. At 9 months after operation, the two-point discrimination of the skin ranged from 7 to 9 mm (mean, 8 mm). According to the standard evaluation for nail bed repair issued by Zook etc., 6 cases were rated as excellent and 1 case as good, and the excellent and good rate was 100%. Conclusion: It is an ideal method to repair the finger nail bed central longitudinal defect with the great toenail bed flap supplied with the fibular dorsal artery of the great toe.
ABSTRACT
Objective To discuss the clinical effect of partial nail-bed flap at second toe with blood-vessel anastomosed in repair of different types of nail-bed defects at finger.Methods From July,2010 to July,2015,25 cases of partial nail-bed flap at second toe with blood-vessel anastomosed were treated,including 14 males and 11 females,with an age range from 18 to 45 years old (average 25 years old).Eleven cases at index finger,6 cases at middle finger,5 cases at ring finger and 3 cases at little finger.According to the classification of nail bed defect site,9 cases at lateral,5 cases at nail root and 11 cases at distal.All cases were combined skin and soft tissue defect.The area of defects were from 1.1 cm × 2.0 cm to 2.5 cm × 3.2 cm.The time from injury to admission were from 1 hour and 12 minutes to 3 hours and 12 minutes,the average time was 2.1 hours.The area of incised nail flap during operation were from 1.2 cm × 2.2 cm to 2.6 cm × 3.5 cm.The donor site was sutured directly or repaired with free skin graft.The toe length in all cases were retained.The nail shape,nail gloss,fine function of finger such as pinch,grip,grasp and restoration of the donor toes were compared in the follow-up.All patients were followed-up at regllar intervals.Results The nail-bed flap after transplantation and skin graft at donor site survived successfully,and primary healing of the wounds occured in all cases.The follow-up time were from 6 to 26 months(average 9 months).Longitudinal spine or transverse groove occurred in 3 cases at the nail-bed boundary between toe and finger,nail thickened and distal tilted occurred in 1 case,flat,smooth,no deformity nail and glossy deck occurred in others.The flap had good appearance,texture and elasticity.Two-point discrimination was 5-9 mm,averageal of 6 mm.The donor toe had no shortening and no pain after long-term following.According to effectiveness standard for fingernail regeneration:19 cases were excellent and 6 cases were good.Conclusion Partial nail-bed flap at second toe wih bloodvessel anastomosed in repairing nail-bed defects at finger,nail appearance is realistic and function recovered well postoperatively.