Finger reconstruction: combined flap constituted of bilateral hallux nails, skins and bones / 中华显微外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To report our usage of a combined flap which is constituted of bilateral hallux nails, skins, bones to reconstruct a finger, and to introduce the method and outcome of this way. Methods Combine two halves of halluxes harvested from both feet to reform a fabricated finger and then transplant it to the finger stump to reconstruct the defect part of the finger. Plantar flaps or some other flaps near the donor sites were transposed to cover them. From June 2003 to June 2009, a total of 20 fingers (20 cases) which had defect degrees range from I to Ⅲunderwent reconstruction surgeries in this way. Results All the 20 fingers transplanted survived completely. Follow-ups 1 to 5 years after each surgery all the fabricated fingers had very realistic configurations. The MP joints of the reconstructed thrumbs got to the normal range of motion, and the other reconstructed fingers' total ROM were 203 degree on average. All the reconstructed fingers had the sensation function above S3,and their two-point discriminations ranged from 6mm to 10mm. Both halluxes of each case were conserved major parts of nails and had nice, symmetric appearances. All the flaps for the donor halluxes survived completely, and none of the cases showed pains, ulcers or abrasions of their feet. All the cases showed normal gaits during follow-ups. Conclusion The combined flap by bilateral hallux nails, skins, bones is an ideal alteration for finger defect reconstruction for the important advantages of realistic configuration as well as minor destructions to donor sites.