Modification of VY flap to preserve fingertip contour

Background

VY flap is a reliable treatment for fingertip amputation injuries. Insetting the flap to replicate fingertip contour can be challenging with the conventional method of using sutures. We propose a modification of inset technique with K-wire to simplify contouring during flap inset.

Methods

Seven patients underwent VY flap reconstruction with the modified inset technique for fingertip defects ranging from 10 × 15 to 20 × 15 mm. The flaps were advanced between 6 and 10 mm and inset with K-wires. The donor site is allowed to heal by secondary intention. At 6 months, static two-point discrimination, sensitivity, and flap appearance were assessed.

Results

All flaps healed uneventfully, and each patient returned to work between 8 and 10 weeks. Fingertip and nail contour were satisfactory in every case.

Conclusion

This modification simplified contouring during flap inset and provided a viable alternative to flap inset and contour adjustment.     

Making the V-Y advancement flap safer in fingertip amputations

Amputation of the fingertip is a common injury of the upper extremity. Over the years, a variety of reconstructive techniques have been described. For dorsal oblique and transverse amputations, the Atasoy V-Y advancement flap is a popular choice because it preserves finger length, sensation and function. However, closure under tension remains a problem, putting the flap at risk of partial or full necrosis. To avoid this untoward complication, the classic V-Y advancement technique has been modified to allow for a tension-free closure.     

同指侧方改良推进皮瓣修复指尖短斜形缺损

目的探讨同指侧方改良推进皮瓣修复指尖短斜形缺损的手术疗效。方法2007年10月一2010年4月,收治17例指尖呈短斜形缺损伤伴骨外露患者。术中采用1．Ocm×1．8cm-1．2cm×2．0cm同指侧方改良推进皮瓣修复指尖缺损创面。供区取皮瓣远尖端多余皮肤修成全厚皮片回植。结果术后17例皮瓣全部成活,其中14例一期愈合,3例二期愈合。供区植皮成活。术后患者均获6～14个月随访．皮瓣血运良好,质软有弹性,无色素沉着,无臃肿,痛温觉正常,两点辨别觉6-8mm。指体各关节活动无影响,指甲平整。结论同指侧方改良推进皮瓣修复指尖短斜形缺损,解剖恒定,手术简便、安全,术后外形、功能满意,对于指尖甲中1／3及甲远1／3短斜形平面缺损创面的修复可作为优先选择。     

指动脉逆行岛状皮瓣修复63例69指指端缺损

目的分析、探讨指动脉逆行岛状皮瓣修复指端缺损的临床效果。方法1990～1999年应用指动脉逆行岛状皮瓣治疗63例69指指端缺损。结果除1例皮瓣坏死外,其余均存活。术后经1～28个月随访,外形满意,效果良好。结论指动脉逆行岛状瓣是一种修复指端缺损的可行方法。     

游离同侧前臂穿支皮瓣修复指端缺损

目的：分析探讨游离同侧前臂穿支皮瓣修复指端缺损的临床经验。方法自2011年6月至2014年6月,本科采用游离同侧前臂穿支皮瓣修复17例(18指)患者指端缺损,采用中华医学会手外科学会上肢部分功能评分试用标准等评定疗效。结果其中14个皮瓣顺利成活。2个骨间背侧穿支皮瓣、1个尺动脉穿支皮瓣、1个桡动脉穿支皮瓣在术后24 h内出现静脉危象。视循环危象具体情况分别采用拆除皮瓣部分缝线,皮瓣小切口放血,皮瓣按摩等方法处理,未行手术血管探查。2个皮瓣存活、1个部分坏死、1个全部坏死,全部坏死病例改用邻指皮瓣修复。患者均获得3.0~12.0个月随访,平均随访5.8个月。皮瓣色泽红润、质地柔软、外观自然、不臃肿,与周围皮肤接近。指端饱满,外形良好。两点辨别觉8~12 mm,无严重触痛。患指各关节活动基本正常,无关节坚硬。患者对指端感觉及伤指外形均较为满意,能适应正常的工作与生活。按中华医学会手外科学会上肢部分功能评定试用标准评定：优12指,良4指,可2指,优良率88.9%。结论游离同侧前臂穿支皮瓣移植修复指端缺损,皮瓣供区、受区位于同一上肢、同一术野。患者仅需在一侧臂丛神经阻滞麻醉下即可接受手术,可在止血带控制下进行无血、无创操作。手术操作简单、麻醉方便,成功率高。手术不破坏手背及手指组织,不损伤主干血管,损伤小。但是,手术需要较高显微外科技术,有一定的皮瓣坏死率,手术风险较高。     

Homodigital antegrade — Flow neurovascular pedicle flap

Fingertip amputation injuries require an emergency reconstruction. There are a lot of techniques of reconstruction. Its goals are to cover the terminal phalanx, providing good padding, preserving useful sensation, preventing hook nail deformity as well as the morbidity of the donor site. The approach to the choice of the surgical reconstruction procedure depends both on the extent and on the type of the distal amputation. The homodigital antegrade-flow neurovascular pedicle flap is reliable. It provides adequate protective and functional cover to the lost fingertip.     

Reverse digital artery island flap in the elderly

The following case report illustrates the successful use of the reverse digital artery island flap in elderly patients. The reverse digital artery island flap is a recognised method of providing good quality soft tissue cover to the amputated fingertip. First described in 1986 by Kojima, Lai and Han have reported their experience of 52 and 120 of these flaps, respectively. The majority of patients in the literature are less than 50 years old, with ages ranging from 3 to 62 years. The flap is based upon reversed flow in the digital artery via a communicating branch from the contralateral artery at a point 5mm proximal to the distal interphalangeal joint crease. In the two cases reported below, we have shown that the indications for this type of homodigital flap reconstruction for fingertip amputations can be safely extended to elderly patients.     

接合两侧指背神经的指动脉终末背侧皮支皮瓣修复指端缺损

目的探讨接合两侧指背神经的指动脉终末背侧皮支皮瓣修复指端缺损的方法和临床疗效。方法2008年8月-2011年8月．采用接合两侧指背神经的指动脉终末背侧皮支皮瓣修复2～5指指端缺损6例,其中食指2例,中指1例。环指2例,小指1例,皮瓣切取面积最大22mm×20mm,最小10mm×9mm。结果6例6指皮瓣全部成活．术后经6～24个月随访,平均13个月,皮瓣外观及手指功能恢复满意,感觉恢复S3,皮瓣两点辨别觉6～9mm,平均7．6mm,供区无并发症。结论接合两侧指背神经的指动脉终末背侧皮支皮瓣具有血供可靠．不破坏重要血管,且有可供接合的神经,操作简便等优点,是修复手指指端缺损较为理想的方法。     

The spiral flap for fingertip resurfacing: short-term and long-term results

PURPOSE: We describe a homodigital neurovascular island flap for reconstructing large pulp defects of the fingertips and review the short-term and long-term appearance and function of the reconstructed fingertips. METHODS: The spiral flap is a homodigital neurovascular island flap with a unique spiral advancement and transposition design that allows pulp reconstruction using sensate glabrous skin while restricting donor morbidity to the injured digit. Thirty-two fingertips were resurfaced using this flap. All had large pulp defects averaging 1.2 cm wide x 2.0 cm long (1.0-2.0 cm x 1.5-2.5 cm). Short-term results (<18 months) for all patients at a minimum of 6 months and long-term results (>5 years) for 10 patients with a mean follow-up of 13 years were reviewed. Objective outcome measures included static 2-point discrimination, degree of nail deformity (beaking), total active motion, and hypersensitivity or cold intolerance. Subjective outcome measures included patient satisfaction with function and aesthetics, using a visual analog scale. RESULTS: All flaps achieved primary healing with no complications. There was initially mild extension deficit in the proximal interphalangeal and distal interphalangeal joints, which improved to full range of motion in the long term. Sensory recovery was excellent, with an average 2-point discrimination of 5 mm initially, improving to 4 mm in the long term. Nail beaking was minimal initially but increased significantly in the long term. These results may be explained by soft tissue remodeling. All patients on long-term follow-up were highly satisfied with both aesthetic and functional outcome. There was no hypersensitivity or cold intolerance at either the short-term or long-term follow-up assessments. CONCLUSIONS: The spiral advancement-transposition flap is suitable for resurfacing large pulp defects with excellent short-term and long-term functional and aesthetic results and high patient satisfaction. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic IV.     

Pediatric thenar flaps: a modified design,case series and review of the literature

Background

Fingertip injuries are extremely common in children, and severe trauma with pulp loss requires soft-tissue reconstruction to restore length, bulk, and sensibility. The thenar flap is a well-described technique but there are few reports of its use in pediatric patients.

Methods

Pediatric thenar flap reconstructions were retrospectively identified from October 2000 to October 2010 at a single institution.

Results

Sixteen pediatric patients (eleven male, five female) underwent thenar flap procedures. The average age was 10.8 years (1.1–17.8 years). The average defect size was 1.5 cm × 1.5 cm (1 cm²–2 cm²). Division and inset occurred on average 16 days later (12–24 days). Average follow-up was 6.8 months (4.1–9.6 months). The average total active range of motion (TAM) in flexion was 248° (235°–260°) [normal maximum: 260°]. All patients had 85° metacarpophalangeal joint (MCPJ) range of motion (ROM) [normal maximum: 85°]. The average proximal interphalangeal joint (PIPJ) ROM was 103° (95°–110°) [normal maximum: 110°] in flexion, and an average 60° distal interphalangeal (DIPJ) ROM (55°–65°) [normal maximum: 65°] in flexion. Objective sensibility in the flap was ascertained as an average static two-point discrimination of 7 mm (6 mm–10 mm) in 10 compliant patients and was grossly intact in all other patients. There were no complications.

Conclusions

The thenar flap is a safe and effective option for pediatric fingertip amputation injuries requiring soft-tissue reconstruction.     

缝合指神经掌侧支的岛状皮瓣修复指腹缺损

目的 介绍一种修复指腹缺损的方法。方法 采用缝合指固有神经掌侧支的指动脉岛状皮瓣逆行转移修复指腹缺损。结果 本组共28例32指皮瓣全部成活，术后随访超过2个月者皮瓣感觉功能评定可达到S3级，1年以上者可达到S4级。修复后的指腹饱满、外形美观、质地柔软。结论 该皮瓣设计合理，手术操作简便，血供可靠，术后不易出现静脉危象，感觉功能恢复好，成功率高，是修复指腹缺损的较好方法。     

Dorsally extended digital island flap for repairing soft tissue injury of the fingertip

Background

The digital triangular island flap is one of the most useful types of flap for repairing soft-tissue loss at the fingertip, because it is sensate and has glabrous skin. However, this type of flap has several disadvantages, including limited length of advancement and limited flap size.

Methods

We have developed a new type of dorsally extended digital island flap to extend the reach of the digital triangular island flap. This dorsally extended portion, 15 mm in width and 20 mm in length, is based on the dorsal branch of the digital artery at the distal phalanx level. This island flap has a longer reach than the conventional digital island flap and can transfer larger amounts of soft tissue to the injured fingertip. Sixteen patients with fingertip amputation were treated using this flap.

Results

All of the flaps survived. The dorsally extended digital island flap could repair pulp tissue losses up to 30 mm in length in oblique volar injury. In transverse injury, a new fingertip could be produced with this flap in a single stage. We successfully covered the exposed bone without shortening the digital bone of the fingertip using our extended flap. No claw nail deformity occurred and no flexion contracture remained in any of the cases.

Conclusion

Use of a dorsally extended digital island flap is recommended for repairing fingertip injury in cases with defect sizes ranging from 10 to 30 mm in length and also in both oblique volar and transverse injuries. This flap is more versatile for repair of fingertip injury than the conventional digital island flap.     

V-Y推进皮瓣术在门急诊一期修复指端缺损中的应用

为探究V-Y推进皮瓣术门急诊一期修复指端缺损的效果,本研究回顾分析了2020年1月-2022年1月自 贡市第四人民医院急诊创伤中心门急诊收治的26例（28指）指端缺损患者临床资料,所有患者均在门急诊手 术室接受V-Y推进皮瓣急诊一期修复创面。术后26例患指V-Y皮瓣均成活,患者对该术式修复效果较满 意,手术优良率为92.31%。6~12个月随访期间,大部分患者修复区皮肤的两点辨别觉恢复在4~7 mm,皮 瓣感觉、肤色、质地等外观上较健侧对应手指相应指节比较无明显差异,皮温正常,皮肤耐磨性好,患指指 关节功能正常。该术式在门急诊一期修复中能取得较好修复效果,并可获得良好的指端外形及功能,指端感 觉恢复良好。