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Objective:To investigate the effect of free thenar perforator flap on repair of finger pulp defect.Methods:From September 2019 to November 2021, 79 cases of finger injuries complicated with defects in the pulp of fingers received free thenar perforator flap transfer surgery for reconstruction of finger pulps in the Department of Hand and Foot Surgery, Taizhou Hospital, Zhejiang Province. The patients were 51 males and 28 females, aged from 17 to 52(37.5±5.2) years old. There were 34 finger-pulp defects of index fingers, 15 of middle fingers, 26 of ring fingers and 4 of little fingers. All patients were treated with free thenar perforator flaps sized 2.0 cm×2.5 cm-3.0 cm×3.5 cm. All thenar perforator flaps were pedicled with the perforator artery and subcutaneous superficial vein in the thenar region, and the vessels were anastomosed with the proper palmar digital artery and dorsal digital vein, respectively. At the same time, subcutaneous nerve and proper palmar digital nerve were sutured to reconstruct the sensation of flaps. During the operation, the dominant perforating branch of thenar was found being originated from the superficial palmar branch of radial artery in 27 cases, from the superficial palmar arch in 21 cases, from the perforating branch of metacarpophalangeal proper artery of thumb in 11 cases, from the radial artery in 10 cases and from the main artery of thumb in 10 cases. The origins of nerves within the flaps were found from the superficial branch of radial nerve(24 cases), the terminal branch of lateral cutaneous nerve of forearm(22 cases) and the palmar branch of median nerve(33 cases). The operation time was (96.7±10.7) minutes. The donor site for the flap was closed directly without skin grafting. Most of the follow-up were conducted through the visit of outpatient clinic and the patients from other regions were reviewed via telephone or WeChat.Results:All perforator flaps survived completely and the flap donor sites healed smoothly. Follow-up lasted for (20.5±3.8) months. The reconstructed finger pulp was not bulky and the texture was satisfactory. TPD of the flaps was (5.6±0.9) mm. Only a linear scar left in the flap donor sites without significant affect on thenar function.Conclusion:The vascular anatomy of thenar perforator flap is constant, which helps to regain sensations of the flap. The texture and thickness of the flap are similar to those of the finger. It is ideal for reconstruction of defect of finger pulp.
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Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of free fibular flap of great toe without vein in repairing soft tissue defect of finger pulp.Methods:From June 2020 to January 2021, 8 cases of finger pulp soft tissue defect were repaired with free flap of fibular side of great toe without vein, including 6 males and 2 females, with an average age of 32(18-42) years old. The defect area of finger pulp was 1.0 cm×0.5 cm-1.8 cm×0.8 cm. The proper digital artery and digital nerve of the affected finger were anastomosed. All flaps did not carry reflux veins. The donor site of the toe was directly sutured. Postoperative routine anti infection, anti spasm and anticoagulant treatment was performed. Postoperative outpatient regular follow-up.Results:All flaps survived without vascular crisis, and the donor and recipient sites healed in the first stage. All patients were followed-up for an average of 6.4(4-12) months. At the last follow-up, the TPD was 6-8 mm, the hand function was evaluated according to the Trial Standard of Upper Limb Function Evaluation of Hand Surgery Society of Chinese Medical Association. Seven cases were excellent and 1 case was good.Conclusion:The free fibular flap of the great toe can be used to repair the small wound of finger pulp without carrying the draining vein, the flap can still survive. And it can provide a certain reference for the failure of anatomic separation of the draining vein.
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Objective:To evaluate the clinical effect of striated free wrist transverse flap pedicled with superficial palmar branch of radial artery carrying sensory nerve in repairing pulp defect of middle-and-distal segments of fingers.Methods:From February 2019 to March 2021, the data of 20 patients with defects of middle-and-distal finger segment were collected. The defects were repaired with striated free wrist transverse flaps pedicled with superficial palmar branch of radial artery. The defects sized were 2.0 cm×1.5 cm-4.0 cm×1.5 cm, and the flaps sized were 2.5 cm×2.0 cm-4.5 cm×2.0 cm. The flap carried metacarpal cutaneous branch of median nerve for the reconstruction of the sensation of finger pulps. The donor sites were directly sutured. After operation, the patients were evaluated according to the shape, sensation and functional recovery of the repaired fingers through outpatient visits and reviews via WeChat.Results:All 20 flaps survived and the wounds healed well. All patients entered regular follow-up for 6-12(average, 8) months. The colour of the flaps was close to the finger skin, without bloating flaps. The flaps were soft in good shapes and function. TPD were 6-11 mm, at 8 mm in average. The scars at the donor sites were hidden and the wrist function was not affected. According to the Trial Evaluation Standard of Upper Limb Function of Hand Surgery Society of Chinese Medical Association, 16 patients were classified as excellent and 4 as good.Conclusion:The striated transverse wrist flap with radial artery palmar superficial branch and sensory nerve offers many advantages, such as a good texture, hidden donor site, convenient flap harvesting, good recovery of sensation, etc. More clinical studies and the promotion of the technique are expected.