Functional and aesthetic results of immediate reconstruction of traumatic thumb defects by toe-to-thumb transplantation

Traumatic thumb defects significantly affect the function and appearance of the hand; thus, thumb reconstruction is very important in clinical practice. In our report, three reconstruction strategies of toe-to-thumb transplantation, based on the amputation level of the thumb, were used for immediate thumb reconstruction in 27 patients with traumatic thumb defects. All procedures were performed successfully. Patients were satisfied with the function and appearance of the reconstructed thumb. These results indicate that if the reconstruction method is properly selected based on the amputation level of the thumb, toe-to-thumb transplantation is feasible for the immediate reconstruction of the thumb.     

Effective use of portions of the supernumerary digit to correct polydactyly of the thumb

The purpose of surgery for polydactyly of the thumb is to ablate the supernumerary digit and to reconstruct a thumb with adequate function that approximates normal size and shape. A further aim is to prevent the occurrence of deformity in the future. To achieve these goals, one good thumb is reconstructed using portions from the supernumerary digit as follows: To increase the diameter of the reconstructed thumb, a skin flap is formed from the supernumerary digit. A portion of the joint from the supernumerary digit is used to correct joint deviation in the reconstructed thumb. The collateral ligament and abductor muscle are detached from the supernumerary digit with the bone fragment into which they are inserted, and transplanted together with the bone fragment into the reconstructed thumb. Osseous tissue to be used in open wedge osteotomy to correct longitudinal deviation is obtained from the phalanx of the supernumerary digit.     

拇指背侧皮神经营养血管蒂岛状皮瓣修复拇指指端缺损

目的探讨拇指背侧带皮神经营养血管蒂岛状皮瓣修复拇指指端缺损的临床效果。方法利用带拇指桡背侧或尺背侧皮神经营养血管蒂岛状皮瓣修复拇指指端软组织缺损12例。结果12例皮瓣全部成活,经6～24个月随访,拇指外形和功能恢复良好。结论拇指背侧皮神经营养血管蒂岛状皮瓣具有操作简单、成活率高、外形恢复满意等优点,是修复拇指指端缺损的理想方法。     

拇指软组织缺损的本体皮瓣修复

目的探讨应用拇指本体皮瓣对拇指软组织缺损修复的有效方法。方法应用三种不同的拇指本体皮瓣,即Hueston皮瓣,Moberg皮瓣及拇指尺背侧动脉逆行皮瓣修复10例拇指软组织缺损的患者。结果皮瓣全部成活,外形修复理想,受创拇指的长度得到保留,拇指感觉存在。结论对于拇指软组织缺损,尤其合并多指损伤时,应用同指本体皮瓣,完成对裸露骨组织的覆盖,可避免受创拇指有效长度的进一步缩短和恢复理想的感觉,操作简单、手术效果满意。     

Correction of hypoplastic thumb by free transfer of metatarsal bone: A case report

A new form of correction of hypoplasia of the thumb is presented in a case of grade 3 thumb hypoplasia. The distal half of the second metatarsal together with its epiphyseal plate was used to lengthen the first metacarpal bone and improve thumb function. This method represents a promising alternative to pollicization in this type of thumb hypoplasia. © 1993 Wiley-Liss Inc.     

Reconstruction of traumatic absence of the thumb in the adult by pollicization.

Amputation of the thumb is a severe handicap. In an emergency situation, thumb amputation must be treated by means of reimplantation when possible. If reimplantation cannot be performed or fails, several methods of thumb reconstruction can be used according to various factors. These include the number of surviving fingers and the level of the thumb amputation. Pollicization is the first choice for amputations proximal to the metacarpophalangeal joint when four and even three fingers are present. It is the easiest and safest operation that supplies the best results both from the motor and sensory points of view. Pollicization can be done even in an emergency situation in selected patients. The index finger is preferred because it can be pollicized without palmar scar or tendons, vessels, or nerves crossing over. If a damaged finger is present, it is preferred to the index finger to leave one more sound finger; a damaged finger can frequently be used, because the thumb is shorter than the other fingers, and although its mobility is very important at the trapeziometacarpal joint, it is less important at the metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joint levels. It is preferable to take as much second metacarpal bone as necessary to place the transferred second metacarpophalangeal joint at the position of the thumb metacarpophalangeal joint so that the tendons of the index interosseous muscles can be sutured to the intrinsic muscles of the thumb. According to this concept, the distal phalanx of the transferred finger should be amputated. In this manner, the new thumb will have a normal size, only two phalanges, only one extrinsic flexor, and normal insertion of the muscles of the thumb.     

The effect of thumb interphalangeal joint position on strength of key pinch

Thirty normal male and female subjects participated in a study to determine if the interphalangeal (IP) joint position of the thumb affects the outcome of lateral pinch strength tests. The subjects performed strong lateral pinch for three trials with both the thumb IP joint flexed and extended. The results showed that when flexion of the thumb IP joint was used, female subjects showed an increased strength of 30% for the right side and 28% for the left side compared to when they used extension of the thumb IP joint during lateral pinch. The male subjects showed increased strength of 36% for the right side and 38% for the left side when flexion versus extension of the thumb IP joint was used. IP joint position of the thumb was found to significantly affect the results of lateral pinch strength tests.     

Combined free toe and free deep inferior epigastric perforator flap for reconstruction of the thumb and thumb web space

To repair a complexly injured hand with composite loss of the thumb and the thumb web space in one stage, the combined transfer of a free second toe and a free deep inferior epigastric perforator flap was designed. It was used to simultaneously reconstruct the thumb and thumb web space of the injured hand in five cases. All flaps survived and there were no complications at any donor site after the reconstructions. In follow-up averaging 35.6 months, the final functional and cosmetic outcomes of the reconstructed thumbs and thumb web spaces were satisfactory. Results demonstrated that the combined transfer of a free second toe and a free deep inferior epigastric perforator flap is a valid method for simultaneous reconstruction of the thumb and the thumb web space of the injured hand.     

改进的食指背侧岛状皮瓣修复拇指皮肤缺损

目的总结应用改进后的食指背侧岛状皮瓣在急诊中修复拇指创面的临床效果。方法改进筋膜血管蒂的切取方法，并将皮瓣内的桡神经浅支与拇指神经吻合。用此皮瓣在急诊中修复拇指软组织缺损6例。结果6例岛状皮瓣全部成活，术后随访2～24个月，效果均满意。结论应用改进后的食指背侧岛状皮瓣提高了皮瓣成活质量，且重建了拇指感觉功能，手术安全、简便，是一种比较理想的方法。     

The biomechanics of a thumb carpometacarpal immobilization splint: design and fitting.

Splinting for the common osteoarthritis of the carpometacarpal (CMC) joint of the thumb is infrequently described in the literature, but the few splints that are described include one or both adjacent joints. This paper describes the design and biomechanics of a custom-molded thumb CMC immobilization splint that excludes the thumb metacarpophalangeal and wrist joints. The problem of the imbalance of extrinsic extensor/abductor forces against the intrinsic flexor/adductor forces is described. The accompanying weakening of the thumb CMC capsule allows dorsal shifting of the proximal end of the metacarpal, producing pain. The splint described in this paper 1) prevents motion of the first metacarpal in relation to the other metacarpals, 2) prevents tilting (flexion) of the first metacarpal during pinch, and 3) allows unrestricted thumb metacarpal and wrist joint motion. Attention to detail during construction is required for an accurate pattern, precise positioning of the CMC joint during molding, accurate molding around the first metacarpal, and well-distributed pressure. This design may also be used for protection following thumb CMC arthroplasty or thumb CMC sprain or strain and as a base for thumb metacarpophalangeal and/or interphalangeal mobilization splinting.     

Specific flaps for the thumb

This article illustrates the use of local and distant flaps for the reconstruction of the thumb. The flaps available for thumb reconstructions, particularly of small defects, are often similar to those used in the fingers. However, they are rarely identical and have usually required modification to the particular needs of the thumb. These flaps and their modifications are, perhaps, as important as the few classic flaps used in larger thumb reconstructions, as many defects of the thumb are small and only a few are large. This article attempts to address all of these needs of thumb reconstruction, indicating when small flaps are suitable and when more extensive reconstructions are necessary.     

Gamekeeper's thumb.

The term gamekeeper's thumb is widely used interchangeably with skier's thumb in reference to acute or chronic tears of the ulnar collateral ligament of the thumb MCP joint. The frequency of thumb injury in alpine skiing has not changed with recent changes in pole design. Release of the pole from the hand prior to impact with the ground will minimize injury. Arthrogram may be a useful adjunctive technique to identify the presence of a Stener lesion and strengthen the indications for surgery in borderline cases. The sensitivity and specificity of this test have not been established. Current trends favor acute surgical repair for complete tears of the ulnar collateral ligament of the thumb MCP joint as documented by clinical examination with stress radiography. Good results are obtainable with late reconstruction, and comparable results have been noted with the most commonly used techniques.     

Thumb reconstruction in emergency, not including replantation

Many articles have discussed secondary thumb reconstruction but only few have been devoted to acute reconstruction. We propose to artificially separate four circumstances: (i) the thumb is preservable without associated trauma of the fingers. The rule is not to burn the bridge of secondary reconstruction; (ii) the thumb is preservable but a neighboring finger is seriously injured and functionally condemned. The finger has to be used as a "bank" to borrow the necessary anatomical structures for reconstruction of the thumb; (iii) the thumb is not preservable and the lesions of a neighboring finger allow to use it for a pollicization. The difficult decision is between the immediate transposition or maintenance for secondary pollicization. Only finger devascularization is a clear indication for acute pollicization; (iv) Finally when the thumb is not preservable and there is no associate finger injury, it is difficult to assess and inform sufficiently the patient to take a decision. Secondary thumb reconstruction is the best choice.     

正常拇指指尖三维运动定量分析

目的 探讨一种新型的定量分析拇指指尖三维运动的方法,揭示拇指指尖的运动规律. 方法 应用三维运动分析系统的标志点放置于25名正常受试者拇指指尖和大多角骨上,固定腕关节和其他4指,拇指做最大和最小环转运动,记录运动中拇指指尖和大多角骨的三维空间坐标数据,重建拇指指尖最大工作空间,计算该最大运动空间体积.以上过程分三个不同测试日完成. 结果 重复实验的最大运动空间体积组间相关系数为0.902,变异系数为4.74%.平均拇指指尖工作空间体积男性组为131126.4 mm3,女性组为96414.16 mm3.回归分析方程男性组为V=0.04913+7.70612,女性组V=0.05213+7.25812.决定系数为0.98. 结论 应用三维运动分析系统测量拇指指尖运动是一种定量、精确、可行的方法.拇指总长立方与拇指腕掌关节工作空间体积存在线性回归关系.     

Vascular blood supply of the dorsal side of the thumb, first web and index finger: anatomical study

Twenty-nine hands were dissected in order to define the dorsal blood supply of the thumb, the first web and the index finger. The main objective was to determine if it is possible to create a local osteocutaneous flap to cover partial and complex tissue defects in the distal part of the thumb. We found that the thumb metacarpal could be used as a donor site in these situations, with either a radiodorsal pedicle or an ulnadorsal pedicle.     

Biomechanical evaluation of thumb opposition transfer insertion sites

The optimal location for insertion of the transferred tendon in opposition transfer is controversial. The purpose of this study was to examine 4 commonly used insertion sites into the thumb and determine which maximizes thumb opposition. The flexor digitorum superficialis of the ring finger was used as a donor tendon and was attached in random order to the abductor pollicis brevis (APB) tendon, the APB and extensor pollicis longus, the flexor pollicis brevis (FPB) and dorsal radial extensor hood, and the ulnar extensor hood at the base of the proximal phalanx. As normal opposition was simulated, the minimum distance between the thumb and little finger and the pinch force were measured. The FPB and radial dorsal extensor hood site resulted in the statistically highest pinch force. The FPB and radial dorsal extensor hood and the APB sites had statistically smaller minimum distances between the thumb and little finger than the ulnar extensor hood site. A subjective evaluation of the 3-dimensional thumb path of motion revealed that the FPB and radial dorsal extensor hood site and the APB insertion site allowed the closest approximation of normal thumb opposition. This biomechanical study supports the use of the FPB and radial dorsal extensor hood insertion site or APB insertion site for opposition transfers.     

Alternatives to thumb replantation in three cases of traumatic amputation of the thumb

Three cases of complete amputation of the thumb are reported in which the amputated distal parts were not suitable for replantation. In all cases there were either complete or incomplete amputations of other digits. Two different techniques were used for thumb reconstruction: 1) pollicization of a partially amputated digit with transposition microsurgery in case 1; and 2) replantation of a less important amputated digit to the thumb stump for cases 2 and 3. These microsurgical efforts successfully restored thumb function in all three patients.     

足趾移植拇指与手指再造的临床研究

目的探讨足趾移植拇指与手指再造的方法和疗效。方法采用部分坶趾移植拇指部分再造22例,躅甲瓣或带足背皮瓣船甲瓣移植拇指再造13例,第2足趾移植再造拇指4例,再造手指3例,及带足背皮瓣的第2足趾移植再造拇指7例,带足背皮瓣的第2,3足趾移植再造手指7例,带足背皮瓣的躅甲瓣或第2趾和第2,3趾组合移植再造拇手指10例,双足第2足趾移植全手缺失二指再造2例,共68例97指。结果再造拇手指和皮瓣全部成活,成活率为100％,术后经3月～10年的随访和信访,按中华医学会手外科学会拇、手指再造功能评定试用标准评定：优62指,良24指,可9指,差2指,优良率达88．66％。结论采用部棚趾、第2足趾棚甲瓣移植再造拇手指,带足背皮瓣的躅甲瓣、第2趾或第2,3趾组合移植行合并手部皮肤缺损的拇手指再造,效果满意。     

不同带蒂皮瓣修复拇指软组织缺损的临床研究

目的 探讨修复拇指软组织缺损的最佳手术方式. 方法 自2006年8月至2008年3月对37例拇指软组织缺损伴骨外露或Ⅰ类拇指缺损者进行手术修复.37例患者中,以拇指桡背侧动脉为蒂的皮瓣修复15例,指腹推进皮瓣修复5例,示指背侧皮瓣修复6例,桡动脉皮瓣修复2例,以拇指尺背侧动脉为蒂皮瓣修复9例.其中拇指尺、桡背侧动脉皮瓣的设计以拇指尺、桡背侧动脉体表投影线为轴心线,拇指桡、尺侧纵轴线上距甲沟(2.2±0.2)cm处为旋转点,皮瓣面积最大可达3.5 cm×4.5cm.结果 术后37例皮瓣全部成活.术后随访3～12个月,平均(5.0±0.8)个月.拇指桡、尺背侧动脉皮瓣修复组拇指外形大部分满意,指腹二点分辨觉为5～10 mm,指间关节活动范围为0～70°,由于吻合了桡神经分支与指神经末端,皮瓣术后恢复S_2以上感觉百分比达86.7%、66.7%.结论 拇指桡背侧动脉皮瓣是修复拇指软组织缺损的较佳选择,全拇指脱套伤在特殊情况下则可以考虑应用桡动脉皮瓣.