Upper limb free mini-flap transplantation for repair of finger wounds / 中国组织工程研究

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:Recently, the clinical repair methods of irregular wound on fingers primarily include local pedicled flap and free mini-flap of upper extremities or lower extremities. OBJECTIVE:To discuss the application of free mini-flap derived from upper limb in repairing the wound on fingers. METHODS:From December 2010 to February 2014, 12 patients with irregular wounds on 12 fingers were selected from Department of Traumatic Orthopaedics and Hand Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, China. The size of wounds ranged from 1.5 cm × 2.0 cm to 3.0 cm × 4.5 cm with different degrees of bone or tendon exposure. After the debridement, 12 patients were treated by free mini-flaps of upper limb. The donor sites were directly sutured. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Among the 12 patients, al the wounds at recipient and donor sites were healed at stage I, and the free mini-flags survival completely. Al of patients were fol owed up for 3-6 months (average 4.5 months). Free mini-flags had good appearance and needn’t undergo secondary trimming. The active motion of fingers was improved dominantly. According to the criteria of Hand Surgery Association Society of Chinese Medical Association Society for the function evaluation of upper limb, three cases were excellent, eight were good, and only one was bad. The excellent and good rate was 91%. Free mini-flaps of upper limb are an ideal method for repair of wounds on fingers. It has no injury to normal tissue in hands, donor site is very secluded, and the short-term curative effect is good.