Reconstruction of palmar soft tissue defect of digits using dorsal digital flap with bilaterally dorsal branch of proper palmar digital nerve

Chao CHEN; Xu ZHANG; Bin WANG; Hui WANG; Yongqing ZHUANG

ABSTRACT

Objective:

To describe the reconstruction of palmar soft tissue defect of digit using dorsal digital flaps including double dorsal branches of the proper palmar digital nerves (DBPPDN) and report the results of the application of the flaps.

Methods:

From May, 2005 to April, 2019, a retrospective study was conducted on 113 digits of 113 patients who had palmar soft tissue defects in single digit treated with 4 types of dorsal digital flaps with bilaterally DBPPDN. Flap types ① Modified cross-digit flap in 29 digits of 29 cases; ②Dorsal digital flap based on the dorsal branch of proper palmar digital artery (DBPPDA) in 43 digits of 43 cases; ③First dorsal metacarpal artery flap in 23 digits of 23 cases; ④ Free dorsal digit flap in 18 digits of 18 cases. In control group, single-innervated flap was used for repair of the defects, only one of injured proper palmar digital nerves on both sides was repaired with DBPPDN. Static TPD, VAS and patient satisfaction of the injured digits were evaluated by means of outpatient follow-up. The t test was applied to compare the 2 groups in relation to the quantitative outcomes. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results:

In the dual-innervated flap group, flap ischemia was shown in 11 digits and venous congestion was noted in 7 digits. Partial necrosis was noted in 9 flaps and healed without surgical intervention. In the dual-innervated and single-innervated flap groups, the mean static TPD were (6.92±0.12) mm and (8.92±0.20) mm, the score of VAS were (0.46±0.08) and (1.11±0.28), and patient satisfaction were (4.45±0.06) and (4.00±0.16). Significant difference was found between the 2 groups in static TPD, VAS and patient satisfaction. Dual-innervated flaps presented better discriminatory sensation on the flap ( P<0.01) and lower pain incidence ( P=0.0032) and higher patient satisfaction ( P=0.0014).

Conclusion:

The 4 types of dual-innervated flap are useful in reconstruction of palmar soft tissue defects of digits, especially in prevention of neuropathic pain.