Modified toe pulp fillet flap coverage: Better wound healing and satisfactory length preservation

BACKGROUND: Amputation is commonly performed for toe necrosis secondary to peripheral vascular diseases, such as diabetes mellitus. When amputating a necrotic toe, preservation of the bony structure is important for preventing the collapse of adjacent digits into the amputated space. However, in the popular terminal Syme's amputation technique, partial amputation of the distal phalanx could cause increased tension on the wound margin. Herein, we introduce a new way to resect sufficient bony structure while maintaining the normal length, based on a morphological analysis of the toes. METHODS: Unlike the pulp of the finger in the distal phalanx, the toe has abundant teardrop-shaped pulp tissue. The ratio of the vertical length to the longitudinal length in the distal phalanx was compared between the toes and fingers. Amputation was performed at the proximal interphalangeal joint level. Then, a mobilizable pulp flap was rotated 90° cephalad to replace the distal soft tissue defect. This modified toe fillet flap was performed in 5 patients. RESULTS: The toe pulp was found to have a vertically oriented morphology compared to that of the fingers, enabling length preservation through cephalad rotation. All defects were successfully covered without marginal ischemia. CONCLUSIONS: While conventional toe fillet flap coverage focuses on the principle of length preservation as the first priority, our modified method takes both wound healing and length into account. The fattiest part of the pulp is advanced to the toe tip, providing a cushioning effect and enough length to substitute for phalangeal bone loss. Our modified method led to satisfactory functional and aesthetic outcomes.

Management of Lacrimal Fistula during Epicanthoplasty: A Case Report

Lacrimal fistula (LF) is a rare abnormality of the lacrimal system. Patients with LF are usually asymptomatic, and thus, treatment is unnecessary. During surgery on a patient with LF, the fistula may fall into the range of dissection. In such cases, fistula management becomes important. A 19-year-old woman visited our department to receive incisional blepharoplasty and medial epicanthoplasty, and a preoperative physical examination revealed LF. During surgery, we found the fistula tract to be within the dissection field, and thus, the LF was cut and cauterized. One year after the surgery, inflammation and hypertrophy of the remnant lacrimal duct occurred. The wound was stabilized by creating an opening that reconnected the stump and the overlying skin. Through this case, we hope to establish the appropriate strategy for managing LF detected during medial epicanthoplasty. As seen in our case, cauterization should be avoided because of the high recurrence rate of LF. Instead, as definitive treatment, fistulectomy should be performed, or the fistula should be moved along with the skin flap when a small skin flap is transferred.

Management of Lacrimal Fistula during Epicanthoplasty: A Case Report

Lacrimal fistula (LF) is a rare abnormality of the lacrimal system. Patients with LF are usually asymptomatic, and thus, treatment is unnecessary. During surgery on a patient with LF, the fistula may fall into the range of dissection. In such cases, fistula management becomes important. A 19-year-old woman visited our department to receive incisional blepharoplasty and medial epicanthoplasty, and a preoperative physical examination revealed LF. During surgery, we found the fistula tract to be within the dissection field, and thus, the LF was cut and cauterized. One year after the surgery, inflammation and hypertrophy of the remnant lacrimal duct occurred. The wound was stabilized by creating an opening that reconnected the stump and the overlying skin. Through this case, we hope to establish the appropriate strategy for managing LF detected during medial epicanthoplasty. As seen in our case, cauterization should be avoided because of the high recurrence rate of LF. Instead, as definitive treatment, fistulectomy should be performed, or the fistula should be moved along with the skin flap when a small skin flap is transferred.