Compound flaps of foot with joint transplantation bridging severed thumbs and fingers / 中华显微外科杂志

ABSTRACT

ObjectiveTo report the methods and clinical efficacy of bridging severed thumbs and fingers with foot joint compound flaps.Methods Ten patients with completely amputated thumbs and fingers with extensive defects in the proximal phalanx had bridged and repaired by using composite-free flap with joints from foot. Three of 4 cases of thumb amputation were repaired by using composite flaps of the second metatarsophalangeal and proximal interphalangeal joints in foot,and the other was used composite flap of the second metatarsophalangeal joints in foot.Donor sites underwent the second metatarsals distal osteotomy associated with free skin graft. And 6 cases with absent fingers by using composite-free flaps of the proximal interphalangeal joint to repair. The donor site in foot underwent metatarsophalangeal and toe joints osteotomy.ResultsAll flaps and replanted thumbs and fingers survived. Hand wounds recovered by primary repair.Donor site in foot all healed by primary repair except for 1 case,which healed after several dressing changes.All 10 cases were followed-up from 6 to 28 months,averaged of 9 months.The metacarpophalangeal joint of 4 replanted thumbs extension between -10° and 0°,and flexion between 20° and 50°.The function of fullfield digital mammography recovered well in 3 replanted thumbs, as well as the function of thumb-middle in the other. Three of them could completely 2-5 fingers tapping,one case could complete middle finger tapping,four cases could complete radial abduction.The proximal interphalangeal joints of 6 replanted fingers extension between -10° and 0°,and flexion between 30° and 90°,averaged of 50°.Sensory recovery of 1 case reached S4,two cases reached S3+,five cases reached S3,and 2 cases of S2.All replanted bones and joints healed after transplantations(bone healing time was 6 to 16 weeks), with no occurrence of re-fracture nor nonunion. Walking function was not significantly affected. According to the evaluation criteria of replanted severed fingers by Chinese Medical Association,one was excellent,eight were good,and 1 was poor.The excellent and good rate was 90％. Conclusion Repairing amputated thumbs and fingers with foot joint compound flaps could not only maximize the recovery of replanted fingers shape,but also get some function,which to meet everyday needs of patients.