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Objective:To compare the difference in clinical efficacy between a free wrist crease flap pedicled with superficial palmar branch of the radial artery flap (SPBRAF) and a traditional free toe flap (TFTF) in reconstruction of hand soft tissue defects, and to provide reference for the treatment of small-to medium-sized hand soft tissue defects.Methods:Data of 37 patients who received hand surgery in Department of Hand Surgery, No.971 Hospital of the PLA Navy from December 2016 to December 2019 for small-to medium-sized hand soft tissue defects were retrospectively studied. Among the 37 patients, there were 32 males and 5 females, aged between 18 and 65 years old, with 41.5 years old in average. According to the reconstructive surgical procedure, patients were divided into SPBRAF group (22 cases) and TFTF group (15 cases). Regular follow-ups were conducted after surgery. The difference in curative effect at the last follow-up between the 2 groups was evaluated by the comparison of data acquired in follow-up. SPSS 25.0 was used to analyse the data statistically. The evaluation indicators included flap survival, long-term recovery of flap, recovery effect at donor site, total active movement(TAM) of the affected digit, time of hospital stay and the time return to work. P<0.05 was considered a statistically significant. Results:All free flaps survived. All patients were entered 6-18 (mean, 10) months of postoperative follow-up to comprehensively evaluate the therapeutic effect. According to the Evaluation Trial Standards of Upper Limb Partial Function of Hand Surgery of Chinese Medical Association, in the SPBRAF group, 20 flaps were found in excellent, and 2 in good; in the TFTF group, 14 flaps were found in excellent, 1 in good. There was no statistical difference between the 2 groups( P>0.05). The colour, texture and thickness of flaps between the 2 groups were either in excellent or good. There was no statistical difference between the 2 groups( P>0.05). TPD in the TFTF group (5-6 mm) was better than that in SPBRAF group (6-7 mm) with statistical difference between the 2 groups ( P<0.05). Texture at donor sites between the 2 groups was either in excellent or good ( P>0.05). In terms of appearance, sensation and recovery time of donor site, it was found that the SPBRAF group(mean, 6 weeks) was significantly better than those in the TFTF group(mean, 8 weeks) and there was statistical difference between the 2 groups ( P<0.05). In terms of recovery of TAM in single-digit, excellent or good were shown in both groups and there was no statistical difference between the 2 groups ( P>0.05). In terms of hospitalisation and time for return to work, the SPBRAF group(mean, 8 days and 17 weeks) was significantly better than that of TFTF group(mean, 12 days and 24 weeks), and there was statistical difference between the 2 groups ( P<0.05). Conclusion:SPBRAF has an ideal effect on reconstruction of small-to medium-sized hand soft tissue defects in hand. Although the flap is still inferior in sensation and appearance compared with the TFTF, the advantages in terms of donor site recovery, patient satisfaction of the donor site and reduced time of hospitalisation and return to original work are more obvious. SPBRAF provides a good complement to surgical procedures reconstructing a digit defect.
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Objective:To explore clinical results in reconstruction of finger C-shape soft tissue defect with the wrist crease free flap carrying cutaneous nerve.Methods:From June, 2017 to April, 2019, 7 fingers(7 patients) with C-shape defect were treated with the wrist crease free flap carrying cutaneous nerve. The size of defect ranged from 1.0 cm × 2.5 cm-2.2 cm × 4.0 cm; the flap sizes were 1.3 cm × 2.7 cm-2.5 cm × 4.5 cm. Five fingers had unilateral defect of proper palmar digital artery. Two fingers that had bilateral defect of proper palmar digital artery with poor blood circulation were re-established with blood supply by Flow-through flaps. Four fingers had unilateral defect of proper palmar digital nerves, and 3 had bilateral defect of proper palmar digital artery. Five of the fingers were repaired by the superficial branch of the radial nerve and 2 repaired by palmar cutaneous branch of median nerve. Regular outpatient follow-up was conducted after surgery for 8 to 15 (mean 11) months.Results:All the fingers and flaps survived with primary healing. Numbness existed in the areas of functional dominance of the cutaneous nerve. At the end of follow-up, the flaps showed good texture without significant bloated appearance with the recovery of protective sensation. The sensation of fingertip recovered to S 4 in 5 fingers and S 3+ in 2 fingers. Finger pulps were plump. All of the fingers moved freely. Linear scars were observed at donor sites and the wrists moved freely. Numbness feeling in the areas of cutaneous nerve disappeared at 6 to 8 weeks after surgery. According to the Functional Evaluation Criteria of the Finger Replantation published by the Hand Surgery Society of the Chinese Medical Association, the results were excellent in 6 fingers and good in 1 finger. Conclusion:The wrist crease free flap carrying cutaneous nerve is constant and can be dissected transversely to reconstruct and fit the C-shape defect of finger. It can re-establish the blood supply as well as to repair the proper palmar digital nerve defect at the same time.
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Objective To summarize the cutaneous branches of the superficial branch of radial artery distribution were dissected and to discuss the operational technique and clinical efficacy of repairing hand tissue defect by the flap based on the superficial branch of radial artery.Methods From May,2014 to February,2017,8 fresh hand specimens perfused with red latex to observe the distribution and characteristics.And 24 cases of fingers tissue defects (3 thumbs,6 index fingers,5 middle fingers,9 ring fingers,and 1 litter finger) which were repaired with the free wrist crease flap based on the cutaneous branches of superficial palmar branch of the radial artery.Combined fracture in 5 cases.Combined rupture or defect of the flexor tendon in 8 cases.Combined vascular nerve injury in 6 cases.The maximum area of the flap was 5.5 cm × 3.2 cm,and the minimum was 2.0 cm × 1.5 cm.Regular followedup was performed after operation.Results Superficial palmar branch of the radial artery came from the level of radial styloid process ulnar palmar then through ulnar of tubercle of scaphoideum and tended to the thenar muscle.It gave 1-3 branches of the direct skin perforators at distal wrist crease and the anatomical location was constant.The vascular pedicle length could achieve 2.0-3.2 cm.All flaps were survived uneventfully.Twenty-four cases were followed-up for 6-29 months (mean,18.6 months),and the appearance and functional recovered satisfactorily.Flap sensation recovered to S3+.The 2 point discrimination was 8-13 mm.There was no complication in donor area.According to the fingers total active motion (TAM) method to assess:excellent in 17 cases,good in 5 cases,fair in 2 cases.The excellent and good rate was 91.7％.Conclusion The wrist crease cutaneous branches of superficial palmar branch of the radial artery anatomical location is constant.And the flap based on the artery has a reliable blood supply.The vascular pedicle flap is long enough and the operational technique is easy and safe.The postoperative effect is satisfied.It is an ideal method for repairing finger tissue defect.