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Objective:To investigate the clinical outcomes of homodigital reversed dorsal digital artery island flap innervated by the dorsal digital nerve to repair degloving injury of distal thumb.Methods:From July 2016 to June 2019, a total of 15 cases (15 thumbs) with degloving injury of distal part were admitted to the Department of Hand Surgery, the Second Hospital of Tangshan. Nine males and six females were involved, with an average age of 49 years (range, 41 to 69 years). There were twist injury in eight cases and crush injury in seven cases, with four cases of distal phalanx fracture. The defect dimensions after debridement ranged from 3.5 cm×1.8 cm to 4.6 cm×2.4 cm, and the dimension of the flaps ranged from 3.8 cm×2.1 cm to 5.0 cm×2.7 cm. All defects were repaired using homodigital reversed dorsal digital artery island flap innervated by the dorsal digital nerve. The survival, appearance and sensory recovery of the flaps and function of the injured fingers were observed at the follow-up after operation.Results:All the flaps survived without wound infection and blood supply disorder. The follow-up times ranged from 9 to 22 months (mean, 16 months). There was satisfactory appearance of the flaps with similar color and texture to the surrounding tissue. Fracture healing ranged from 4 to 6 weeks. At final follow-up, the values of static 2-PD test of the flaps ranged from 5 to 10 mm (mean, 7.8 mm). The results of range of motion of injured thumb joints were excellent in nine cases and good in five cases. There was slight linear scar left at the donor area of dorsal thumb.Conclusions:The innervated reversed dorsal digital artery island flap has a simple procedure and minimal donor-site cost, which is especially suitable for elderly patients who refuse to free toe transfers.
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Objective:To explore the surgical method and clinical effect of harvesting 2 ipsilateral free pedicled perforator flaps from a single donor site of superficial peroneal artery in reconstruction of 2 defects in same or adjacent digits.Methods:From November 2017 to August 2021, 12 patients with 2 defects in same or adjacent digits were treated in the Department of Hand Surgery, Suzhou Ruihua Orthopaedic Hospital with 2 ipsilateral free pedicled perforator flaps from a single donor site of superficial peroneal artery. Among the patients, 1 had the defect in dorsal and palmar of index finger, 1 in thumb and index finger, 6 in index and middle fingers, 3 in middle and ring fingers, and 1 in ring and little fingers. The size of digit defects was 1.5 cm×0.8 cm-6.0 cm×3.5 cm. The size of flaps was 2.0 cm× 1.2 cm-8.0 cm×4.0 cm. All the patients were included in postoperative monthly follow-up to assess the recovery of recipient and donor sites at outpatient service, by telephone or WeChat.Results:All 24 flaps in 12 patients survived without vascular compromise and achieved 100% of survival rate. The follow-up period ranged from 4 to 18 months, with an average of 10 months. Six patients were treated with additional flap thinning and plastic surgery at 4 months after the primary surgery due to slightly bloated flaps. Otherwise, all the flaps in the recipient site had neither pigmentation, obvious hyperplasia nor scar pain. All flaps gained the protective sensations, however the assessment of TPD was not conducted. The flaps were wear-resist and had no ulceration. The texture of the flaps was soft with good elasticity, and the flap did not turn to purple or swelling when in cold. The functional recovery of 23 digits in 12 patients was evaluated according to the total active mobility (TAM) of the digits. It achieved excellent in 3 digits, good in 15 digits, and fair in 5 digits, with an excellent and good rate of 78.26%. A linear scar appeared at the donor site without obvious hyperplasia or scar pain. There were normal sensations around the scar and at the digit-tips. The blood supply to the digit-tips was normal.Conclusion:Harvest of multiple free pedicled perforator flaps from a single donor site of superficial peroneal artery is an effective method in reconstruction of 2 defects in same or adjacent digits at the same time. It has advantages of being a simple surgery procedure by sacrificing only one donor site. It achieves a minimal damage to the donor site and a reliable blood supply of the flap.
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Objective:To explore the surgical method and therapeutic effect of repairing soft tissue defect of digit-tip with single subcutaneous pedicle V-Y advancing flap combined with skin grafting.Methods:From August 2013 to December 2020, 25 soft tissue defects of digit-tip were repaired by a single subcutaneous pedicle V-Y advancing flap combined with pedicle skin grafting. The area of the defects was 0.8 cm× 0.8 cm to 1.6 cm× 1.4 cm. The flaps were harvested from palm or lateral side of the wound and the area of flap was 0.5 cm×1.0 cm to 0.8 cm×2.5 cm. In order to make the flap transfer to a further distance, the subcutaneous fibre connection of the flap was cut-off during the operation. At the same time, cut off 1 side of subcutaneous pedicle. Finally, the advanced distance of the flap reached 0.5-1.2 cm. After the flap harvested, the medium thickness skin was removed for graft to close the donor site from the wrist striations. After the surgery, follow-up visits were conducted regularly by outpatient clinic, or via telephone or WeChat review or by home visit. Throughout the follow-up, the flap appearance, sensation and recovery of the function of digital joint were observed, together with the patient satisfaction. Results:After the surgery, the postoperative follow-up lasted for 4 months to 8 years. All 25 flaps and skin grafts were survived in first stage wound healing. The flaps and skin grafting areas had excellent texture. The fingerprint had been reconstructed with good appearance. The TPD was 4-9 mm, the functions of digital joint recovered well, and there was no complain about a discomfort at the donor site. According to the evaluation standard of Michigan hand function questionnaire, all 25 patients were very satisfied with the overall appearance and function of the hand. According to Total Angle of Motion (TAM) evaluation standard, finger mobility was excellent in all 25 patients.Conclusion:Subcutaneous V-Y advancing flap combined with skin grafting is an ideal method for repairing soft tissue defect of digit-tip. The surgery characterises a simple flap cutting, less traumatic damage, long advancing distance of flap and good repair effect.
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Objective:To explore the surgical method and therapeutic effect of repairing digital tip defect with free flap of proximal perforating branch of proper palmar digital artery.Methods:From March, 2009 to January, 2021, 15 patients with soft tissue defects at the tip of 16 digits were repaired with free perforator flap of proper palmar digital artery. The flap was obtained from the ulnar side of an index finger, on both sides of a middle finger and on the proximal side of the radial side of the ring finger. The size of flaps was 1.8 cm × 1.2 cm - 4.5 cm × 2.2 cm. The flap carried dorsal branch of proper palmar digital nerve and 0.5-4.5 cm of arteriae digitales palmares propriae. The donor digital artery was re-anastomosed in 3 cases 3 digits, transferred and anastomosed in 2 cases and un-anastomosed in 10 cases 11 digits. The dorsal branch of the proper palmar digital nerve in the flap was anastomosed with the proper palmar digital nerve of the finger stump at the recipient site to restore the sensation of flap, and the donor sites at the wrist transverse stripes or elbow transverse stripes were directly sutured. Regular follow-up via outpatient visit, telephone or WeChat interviews was conducted to observe the appearance, sensation and recovery of the flap and finger joint function.Results:After surgery, the flaps and donor site skin grafts of 15 cases with 16 digits were all survived, with first stage healing. A 4 months to 12 years follow-up showed that the flaps were in good texture and full shape with TPD at 7 - 11 mm. The joint function of digits was recovered well, and there was no complaint about uncomfortable donor site. According to the Michigan Hand Function Questionnaire, all 15 patients were satisfied with the overall appearance and function of the hands. According to TAM evaluation standard, all the digits of 15 patients were in excellent.Conclusion:Free flap of the proximal perforating branch of proper palmar digital artery is an ideal in the repair of digital tip soft tissue defect, as it has the advantages of an anatomical constant vessel, hidden donor site, less trauma caused, simple flap resection and good therapeutic effect.