Evaluation of moving and static two point discriminations of volar forearm skin before and after transfer as a sensate radial forearm island flap in reconstruction of degloving injury of the thumb.

In degloving injury of the thumb the large skin defect needs cover with sensate, glabrous and pliable skin. Although coverage of this defect with a sensate free flap from the foot is the best choice, most commonly, cover is achieved using a non-sensate distant pedicle flap. Between 2001 and 2003, degloving injuries of the thumb in eight patients were reconstructed using a sensate radial forearm flap in the sensory territory of the lateral ante-brachial nerve of the forearm which was repaired to the digital nerve of the thumb (six cases) or to a branch of the sensory radial nerve (two cases). Follow-up period ranged from 17 to 41 months (mean: 29.9 months). Sensory evaluation was performed using the moving two point discrimination (M-2PD) and static two point discrimination (S-2PD) of the volar forearm skin. These altered significantly after transfer and their values approached those of the contra-lateral thumb but never reached normal sensation (p<0.01). Sensate radial forearm island flap is a reliable option to cover a large defect of the thumb such as degloving injury and the sensation produced is acceptable.     

The Foucher's "kite-flap" (12 cases)

The "kite-flap" is a cutaneous island flap containing a triple pedicle. It is harvested from the dorsum of the index and is intended to cover skin-loss on the thumb. The purpose of our study was to evaluate 12 "kite-flaps" performed over the course of 11 years. The skin defects were on the dorsum of the distal phalanx of the thumb in 3 cases, on the dorsum of both the distal and proximal phalanges in 4 cases and on the volar aspect of the thumb in 5 cases. The associated lesions consisted of combined bone and skin in one case treated by bone graft with external fixation, and one case of septic arthritis of the interphalangeal joint treated by arthrodesis. The results of our series are very good after an average of 2 years follow-up. We have however had 4 cases of cold intolerance, 2 cases of superficial sepsis and one case of shrinkage of the first commissure. It appears that the "kite-flap" is the best solution for cover of simple or complex skin loss of the thumb. Its technical performance is easy, and it gives durable, sensate and stable skin cover.     

双叶皮瓣瓦合修复拇指脱套伤

目的介绍一种修复拇指脱套伤的新方法。方法采用从深筋膜下取第一掌背神经伴行血管皮瓣,蒂部筋膜宽约2．5～4．0cm,面积（3．0-3．5cm）×（5．0-5.5cm）,覆盖拇指尺掌侧。取带拇背侧皮神经营养岛状皮瓣,面积（2．0-3．0cm）×（3．0-6．0cm）,覆盖拇指桡背侧,瓦合修复拇指。结果临床应用9例皮瓣完全存活,随防12-36个月,皮瓣质地优良,外观及功能满意,经吻合神经后皮瓣能恢复部分感觉。结论该方法损伤小,操作简单,皮瓣外形好,修复后皮瓣感觉好,两点分辨觉4-6mm,为修复拇指脱套伤提供了一种较为理想的方法。     

The staged island flap: a new method of repair for thumb injuries

An island flap from the middle finger is described which can be used to cover a terminal wound on the thumb and the adjacent palmar and dorsal defects of the thumb. The flap is transferred in two stages: the first stage ensures good skin cover using a simple technique and the second stage is nerve repair, giving good sensory return with correct cortical representation. Since 1977, 64 repairs have been carried out using this island flap. The follow-up, results and complications are discussed.     

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.     

Reconstruction of the thumb amputation at the carpometacarpal joint level by groin flap and second toe transfer

IntroductionTraumatic loss of thumb at the carpometacarpal (CMC) joint level is very disabling to an individual. Pollicisation is the recommended technique of reconstruction for loss of thumb at this level. On occasions, injury to the rest of the hand or amputation of additional fingers may make pollicisation an impossible option. Microsurgical transfer of second toe is an option in such situations. Although many large series of toe transfers are available in the literature, no series deals exclusively with this subset of patients.Materials and methodsEight patients who had amputation of the thumb at or proximal to the CMC joint level were reconstructed by second toe transfer by us in the period 2002–2011. All had preliminary groin flap cover in the area of the thumb during the acute stage of treatment. Second toe with the metatarsal was transferred for thumb reconstruction after a mean duration of 3 months after flap cover. Patients were assessed for their ability to pinch, hold large objects and opposition achieved by Kapandji score. Average follow up is 4 years and 6 months with a minimum of 1 year.ResultsAll toe transfers survived. They reached their maximum functional potential by 1 year. All patients actively used the reconstructed thumb for day to day activities. Pinch was possible in all patients except two patients who did not have any fingers. Six of them registered grip strength of at least 50% of the opposite hand. When fingers were present, opposition was possible in all patients with Kapandji scores ranging from 5 to 8. Extent of usage was less in patients who did not have good function in other fingers.ConclusionSecond toe transfer is a viable option for reconstruction of thumb loss at or proximal to the CMC joint level. Proper planning of the preliminary flap cover determines the length of the thumb reconstruction. Strategic position of the transferred toe of adequate length and the functional status of the other fingers are important determinants of functional outcome.     

Local composite neurovascular island flap for skin cover in pulp loss of the thumb.

A local composite neurovascular island flap to provide stable skin cover with good soft tissue padding and sensibility for extensive pulp loss of the thumb was used in five patients. The island flap included the dorsoradial branches of the radial digital neurovascular bundle of the thumb.     

Transversely‐inset great toe hemi‐pulp flap transfer for the reconstruction of a thumb‐tip defect

Thumb‐tip defect is a common traumatic disease, and replantation of an amputated thumb‐tip is the first choice of treatment when available. When an amputee is not available, local flaps such as volar advancement flap are used for reconstruction. However, it is difficult to cover whole defect area by a local flap when a defect is relatively large. In this report, we present a case of the use of a free great toe hemi‐pulp flap transfer to reconstruct a thumb‐tip defect. A 69‐year‐old right‐handed male suffered from the right thumb‐tip crush amputation in Tamai Zone 2. The distal phalanx and the nail matrix were preserved, and the defect size was 5 cm × 4 cm. The thumb‐tip was reconstructed with a free great toe hemi‐pulp flap under local anesthesia. The flap included extended subcutaneous adiposal tissue (skin size 4.5 cm × 3 cm; fat size 4.5 cm × 5.5 cm) to reconstruct the nail bed, and was transversely inset at the recipient site to cover the whole area of the defect. The donor site could be primarily closed without skin grafting. At postoperative 6 months, the patient was satisfied with good results of the reconstructed thumb‐tip and the donor site. Transversely‐inset great toe hemi‐pulp flap may be useful to reconstruct a thumb‐tip defect, which allows relatively wide defect reconstruction. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 35:235–238, 2015.     

The innervated first dorsal metacarpal artery island flap for reconstruction of post-traumatic thumb defect

Background

Various surgical techniques contribute to repair distal defects of the fingers, especially the thumb as traumatic loss diminishes or eliminates the thumb prehensile abilities and may affect overall hand function.

Methods

Ten innervated first dorsal metacarpal artery (FDMCA) island flaps were performed and evaluated postoperatively. The function of the thumb and the cosmetic appearance were documented for all patients.

Results

The flap survived with good cosmetic results in all cases. Grasping and pinching activity as well as cortical orientation was achieved for all flaps.

Conclusion

It appears that the FDMCA flap is one of the best solutions for cover of simple or complex skin loss of the thumb. Its technical performance is easy, and it gives durable, sensate, and stable skin cover. Level of Evidence: Level 4, therapeutic study.     

Reverse flow first dorsal metacarpal artery flap for covering the defect of distal thumb

Reconstruction of distal thumb injuries still remains a challenge for hand surgeons. Surgical treatment includes the use of local, regional, and free flaps. The purpose of this report is to present the results of the use of a sensitive reverse flow first dorsal metacarpal artery (FDMA) flap. The skin flap was designed on the radial side of the proximal phalanx of the index finger based on the ulnar and radial branch of the FDMA and a sensory branch of the superficial radial nerve. This neurovascular flap was used in five patients to cover distal soft‐tissue thumb defects. All flaps achieved primary healing except for one patient in whom superficial partial necrosis of the flap occurred, and the defect healed by second intention. All patients maintained the thumb original length and were able to return to their previous daily activities. The reverse flow FDMA flap is a reliable option to cover immediate and delayed defects of distal thumb, offering acceptable functional and cosmetic outcomes in respect to sensibility, durability, and skin‐match. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 34:283–286, 2014.     

Reconstruction of degloved thumb with prefabricated flap

The wrap around the toe flap from the great toe is considered to be a good reconstructive proce-dure for degloved injuries of the thumb. 1 In this study, we used prefabricated flaps of the medial plan-tar skin to cover a degloved injury of the thumb of a patient unsuitable for application of this method and obtained satisfactory clinical results.     

Reconstruction of degloved thumb with prefabricated flap

The wrap around the toe flap from the great toe is considered to be a good reconstructive proce-dure for degloved injuries of the thumb. 1 In this study, we used prefabricated flaps of the medial plan-tar skin to cover a degloved injury of the thumb of a patient unsuitable for application of this method and obtained satisfactory clinical results.     

Reconstruction of degloved thumb with prefabricated flap

The wrap around the toe flap from the great toe is considered to be a good reconstructive proce-dure for degloved injuries of the thumb. 1 In this study, we used prefabricated flaps of the medial plan-tar skin to cover a degloved injury of the thumb of a patient unsuitable for application of this method and obtained satisfactory clinical results.     

Reconstruction of degloved thumb with prefabricated flap

The wrap around the toe flap from the great toe is considered to be a good reconstructive proce-dure for degloved injuries of the thumb. 1 In this study, we used prefabricated flaps of the medial plan-tar skin to cover a degloved injury of the thumb of a patient unsuitable for application of this method and obtained satisfactory clinical results.     

Reconstruction of degloved thumb with prefabricated flap

The wrap around the toe flap from the great toe is considered to be a good reconstructive proce-dure for degloved injuries of the thumb. 1 In this study, we used prefabricated flaps of the medial plan-tar skin to cover a degloved injury of the thumb of a patient unsuitable for application of this method and obtained satisfactory clinical results.     

Reconstruction of degloved thumb with prefabricated flap

The wrap around the toe flap from the great toe is considered to be a good reconstructive proce-dure for degloved injuries of the thumb. 1 In this study, we used prefabricated flaps of the medial plan-tar skin to cover a degloved injury of the thumb of a patient unsuitable for application of this method and obtained satisfactory clinical results.     

Reconstruction of degloved thumb with prefabricated flap

The wrap around the toe flap from the great toe is considered to be a good reconstructive proce-dure for degloved injuries of the thumb. 1 In this study, we used prefabricated flaps of the medial plan-tar skin to cover a degloved injury of the thumb of a patient unsuitable for application of this method and obtained satisfactory clinical results.     

Reconstruction of degloved thumb with prefabricated flap

The wrap around the toe flap from the great toe is considered to be a good reconstructive proce-dure for degloved injuries of the thumb. 1 In this study, we used prefabricated flaps of the medial plan-tar skin to cover a degloved injury of the thumb of a patient unsuitable for application of this method and obtained satisfactory clinical results.     

The “Standing Cone” Flap for Thumb: A Spinoff the Hypogastric Flap in Combined Defects of Dorsum of Hand and Thumb

Background: The management of combined defects of the dorsum of the hand and the thumb can be quite challenging. The conventional teaching has been to use more than 1 flap for such discontinuous defects of the hand. Methods: We present a novel technique to provide a reliable skin cover to a concomitant second defect over thumb, which otherwise would require an additional flap, by recruiting the excess skin available after closure of the primary flap donor site of the hypogastric flap being used for the defect on the dorsum of hand. We report a case series of 5 patients wherein this technique has been used successfully. Results: The modified technique was able to successfully manage the concomitant defects of the dorsum of hand and the thumb in 1 stage. Conclusions: We find this innovation can help cover 2 separate defects on dorsum of hand and the thumb in 1 stage by utilizing just 1 flap instead of the conventional method of raising 2 flaps for such defects     

Reconstruction of degloved thumb with prefabricated flap

The wrap around the toe flap from the great toe is considered to be a good reconstructive proce-dure for degloved injuries of the thumb. 1 In this study, we used prefabricated flaps of the medial plan-tar skin to cover a degloved injury of the thumb of a patient unsuitable for application of this method and obtained satisfactory clinical results.