Reconstruction of a fingertip with a thenar perforator island flap

Abstract

We raised thenar island flaps that were supplied by perforators that originated in the superficial palmar arch or the superficial palmar branch of the radial artery for the reconstruction of fingertip defects in eight patients. The flap was so well-vascularised that a large flap with increased mobility could be raised. The donor site was covered with well-vascularised thick tissue, and skin grafting of the donor site was avoided in all cases. No patient developed a complication, and all flaps survived. Functional and cosmetic results of both fingertips and donor sites were excellent. A perforator island flap from the thenar eminence can be raised easily without injuring any digital and palmar arteries. They have a good colour and texture that matches the fingertips and donor site defects on the palm.     

Reconstruction of a fingertip with a thenar perforator island flap

We raised thenar island flaps that were supplied by perforators that originated in the superficial palmar arch or the superficial palmar branch of the radial artery for the reconstruction of fingertip defects in eight patients. The flap was so well-vascularised that a large flap with increased mobility could be raised. The donor site was covered with well-vascularised thick tissue, and skin grafting of the donor site was avoided in all cases. No patient developed a complication, and all flaps survived. Functional and cosmetic results of both fingertips and donor sites were excellent. A perforator island flap from the thenar eminence can be raised easily without injuring any digital and palmar arteries. They have a good colour and texture that matches the fingertips and donor site defects on the palm.     

带血管神经蒂的大鱼际近端皮瓣修复指腹缺损

目的介绍一种修复拇指指腹软组织缺损并重建感觉功能的新供区.方法用带血管神经蒂大鱼际近端皮瓣修复拇指指腹软组织缺损6例,其中4例为逆行岛状皮瓣,2例为游离皮瓣.皮瓣最大切取面积为4.0cm×2.5cm,最小为2.5cm×1.5cm.术中在放大6倍手术显微镜下,观察大鱼际近端皮肤的动脉,静脉,神经支配的来源、分支及血管吻合情况.结果6例皮瓣全部成活.术后随访9～18个月,伤指外形及皮肤色泽与健指相似,拇指指腹静止二点分辨觉(S-2PD)为6.6～8.1mm,移动二点分辨别觉(M-2PD)为5.1～6.5mm.结论带血管神经蒂大鱼际近端皮瓣是修复拇指指腹软组织缺损并能重建感觉功能的好供区.     

Reconstruction of two fingertip amputations using a double thenar flap and comparison of outcomes of surgery using a single thenar flap

BackgroundAlthough thenar flap for single fingertip amputation is a common and popular surgical technique, double thenar flap technique for patients with two fingertip amputations has rarely been reported in the literature. The purpose of this case-control study was to introduce the double thenar technique and compare the clinical outcomes between single thenar flap and double thenar flap surgical treatments.MethodsFrom January 2005 to December 2014, 92 patients with single fingertip amputations were treated with thenar flap (Group I) and 28 patients with two fingertip amputations were treated with double thenar flap (Group II). These 120 patients were followed-up for a minimum of 12 months postoperatively. At the latest follow-up, the two groups were assessed for pain, cold intolerance in the reconstructed finger, functional outcomes by Chen’s criteria, and subjective patient satisfaction.ResultsAt the final follow-up, all flaps in both groups had survived. No flap failure occurred. There was no significant difference in cold intolerance (p = 0.783), donor site pain (p = 0.728), fingertip pain (p = 1.000), or paresthesia (p = 0.514) between the two groups. A total of 100 (83.3%) patients were completely or fairly satisfied. There was no significant difference in satisfaction between the two groups (p = 0.801). According to the Chen criteria, 102 (85%) patients had excellent or good results.ConclusionThis study demonstrated that the double thenar flap technique used for patients with two fingertip amputations produced complete survival with functional outcomes comparable to those of the single thenar flap technique at the last follow-up.     

Functional gracilis flap in thenar reconstruction.

Restoration of lost opposition in the context of significant thenar soft tissue defects represents a tremendous reconstructive challenge. Free functioning muscle transfer has been described in this context and has the advantage of providing both a functioning muscle unit as well as soft tissue coverage in a single reconstructive procedure. It adds to the injured limb, and by sparing donor tendons avoids the need for re-education of motor function. We describe the use of a free innervated gracilis muscle flap for functional thenar reconstruction in two unique cases following extensive traumatic loss of thenar skin and musculature. Crucially, in each case, the recurrent motor branch of the median nerve had been destroyed at its point of insertion into the thenar muscle remnants. AIM: To date, the main reported disadvantages of free functioning muscle transfer in thenar reconstruction include difficult flap dissections, donor site morbidity, inadequate strength and excursion of the transplanted muscle and excessively bulky flaps. Our aim was, as far as possible, to address these issues. SURGICAL PROCEDURE: Each thenar defect was measured and a corresponding segment of gracilis muscle, measured in situ, was raised on the proximal neurovascular pedicle. End-side microvascular anastomosis was performed between the medial circumflex femoral artery and the radial artery. The venae comitantes of the pedicle were anastomosed end-end with those of the radial artery and also with the cephalic vein. Epineural anastomosis was performed between the motor branch of the obturator nerve and the recurrent motor branch of the median nerve. Each flap was covered with a split thickness skin graft. RESULTS: Both flaps survived without any complication. Both patients regained excellent voluntary thumb opposition, sufficient to allow return to full-time employment, and had restoration of sufficient thenar bulk. This was achieved with minimal donor site morbidity. CONCLUSIONS: Restoration of lost opposition, in the context of significant thenar soft tissue defects, can be achieved using a free functional gracilis flap. This produces clinically excellent functional results and can be carried out as a single stage reconstructive procedure. This is a novel application of a tremendously versatile donor muscle in functioning free muscle transfer.     

Finger pulp reconstruction with thenar flap: Aesthetic and functional outcome

Purpose: Fingertip injuries are common in industrial production activities as well as in domestic work. Loss of pulp hampers daily life activities. Functional and aesthetic aspects are important in fingertip reconstruction. The bone is usually exposed along with soft tissue loss. Therefore to reconstruct the pulp flap with adequate bulk is required. Methods: We reported a case series of 12 patients with the injury over the volar aspect of distal phalanx of the index or middle finger. In all cases, laterally based thenar flap was chosen. The flap donor site was closed primarily in most of cases, while 4 patients required skin graft. The flap was detached between 2-3 weeks. Functional assessment was done using static and dynamic 2-point discrimination and range of motion at each joint. The aesthetic outcome was assessed through questionnaire. The results were analyzed using the unpaired t-test (SPSS version 21). Results: Partial necrosis occurred in 2 cases while rest of flaps survived successfully. Static 2-point discrimination ranged from 6e10 mm, mean 8.6 mm; and dynamic 2-point discrimination ranged from 8-10 mm, mean 8.9 mm. The mean satisfaction score was (4.0 ± 0.55). Conclusion: Thenar flap is a good choice for reconstruction of the finger pulp as it provides the bulk with good functional and aesthetic outcome.     

Revascularization of an incompletely amputated ear with a temporal artery fascia flap

A 14-year-old male adolescent underwent incomplete amputation of his right ear. Revascularization of the remnant was achieved by means of a temporoparietal fascial-island flap. It was sutured between the dorsal aspect of the cartilage and the dorsal skin of the ear. The postoperative course was uneventful. It healed with no complications.     

第一掌背动脉皮瓣联合大鱼际皮瓣修复拇指末节皮肤脱套伤

【摘要】目的 探讨第1掌背动脉皮瓣联合大鱼际皮瓣修复拇指末节皮肤套脱伤的疗效。方法 2009年1月至2014年7月,我院对19例拇指末节皮肤套脱伤患者,创面缺损面积在20mm×50mm～30mm×60mm之间,拇指末节皮肤套脱合并甲床缺如13例,皮肤套脱伴甲床残留6例,均采用第1掌背动脉皮瓣联合大鱼际皮瓣进行修复,并观察术后19例拇指功能外形感觉等指标。 结果 本组12例皮瓣术后完全存活;5例术后2～4天皮瓣表面出现水疱,颜色暗红、发紫,间断拆除蒂部旋转点缝线后,皮瓣血运逐渐好转,最终存活良好;2例第1掌背动脉皮瓣尖端皮缘坏死,换药后痂下愈合,无骨外露,所有供区切口均1期愈合。经过3个月随访,手指皮瓣外形良好,指腹皮瓣感觉可,两点辨别觉6～9mm,指背皮瓣无感觉恢复;按照手指总主动活动度(TAM)法评定,优17指,良2指,优良率为100％,按照Michigan手外科问卷评定患者对拇指术后外观的满意度评定,非常满意15例,满意4例. 结论 该术式疗效满意,是治疗拇指末节皮肤套脱伤可行性的一种方法。     

改良的大鱼际皮瓣修复指端缺损

目的:探讨一种改良的修复指端缺损的大鱼际皮瓣设计方法,以尽量减少大鱼际区瘢痕。方法:在大鱼际区邻近拇指掌指关节横纹处设计大鱼际皮瓣,将切口尽量隐藏于拇指掌指横纹与大鱼际区皮肤横纹里。结果:皮瓣血供良好,创面修复,手指外形良好,大鱼际区瘢痕不明显。结论:经改良后的大鱼际皮瓣,可以明显减少大鱼际区瘢痕,适合示、中指单指的指端缺损。     

鱼际穿支动脉岛状皮瓣修复拇指指腹缺损

目的探讨一种新的拇指指腹缺损的修复方法。方法对30例成人手部血管进行解剖研究,在此基础上设计以鱼际穿支动脉为皮瓣供血动脉的鱼际岛状皮瓣,其循环途径为:拇指尺侧动脉→指掌弓→拇指桡侧动脉穴逆流雪→鱼际穿支血管→鱼际血管网→鱼际穿支伴行静脉→拇指桡侧动脉伴行静脉穴逆流雪→手背静脉网。结果36例拇指指腹缺损病人接受鱼际穿支动脉岛状皮瓣修复,皮瓣最大面积3.5cm×3.0cm,最小面积2.5cm×2.0cm,全部成活。术后经2个月～4年随访,皮瓣外形饱满,色泽、质地与正常指腹相似,功能良好,两点辨别觉可恢复至5mm。结论鱼际穿支动脉岛状皮瓣成活率高,可切取面积范围大,操作简单,完全满足拇指指腹缺损的修复要求,且术后恢复快,指腹外形及功能满意,供区功能无明显影响,为拇指指腹缺损提供了一种新的修复方法。     

Reconstruction of a degloved finger with a heterodigital reverse dorsal digitometacarpal flap

We used a reverse dorsal digitometacarpal flap to reconstruct a degloved finger in a 60-year-old patient who had an avulsion digital amputation. The digitometacarpal island dorsal flap was raised on the vascular axis of the ring finger and wrapped around the degloved little finger. The long term results were good.     

带血管神经蒂的大鱼际桡侧皮瓣修复拇指指腹缺损

目的介绍一种修复拇指指腹缺损的新皮瓣.方法设计以拇指桡掌侧动脉为蒂并带桡神经浅支分支的大鱼际桡侧逆行岛状皮瓣,修复12例拇指指腹缺损患者.皮瓣最大面积为4 cm × 3.2 cm. 结果所有皮瓣全部成活.术后随访3 ～ 19个月,伤指指腹饱满,外形美观,二点分辨觉平均为6.5 mm. 拇指指间关节和掌指关节的活动范围为81.25°和32.31°.结论以拇指桡掌侧动脉为蒂的大鱼际桡侧皮瓣是修复拇指指腹缺损的理想皮瓣之一.     

Functional thenar eminence myocutaneous flap for reconstruction of thumb volardefect

This case report describes the use of a Functional Thenar Eminence myocutaneous flap for reconstruction of volar defect of distal right thumb of a 25-year-old male who sustained a twisting injury while working. Part of bone and tendon were exposed and the tip of the distal phalanx was crushed, with bony defect.