Microsurgical free toe pulp transfer for digital reconstruction

Posttraumatic fingertip reconstruction with a free toe pulp neurovascular flap, first described in 1979, has not been frequently reported. We present our results with 8 free transfers of the toe pulp and demonstrate the successful restoration of a well-padded and sensitive fingertip. All patients, studied with a follow-up of up to 20 months, recovered a discriminative sensibility of the thumb and main fingers, with a stationary two-point discrimination test between 5 and 12 mm and a moving two-point discrimination test between 4 and 8 mm. In spite of the good results obtained, we believe this procedure must be chosen only in certain circumstances. We present the indications and the contraindications for this digital reconstruction.     

足趾移植再造拇手指术后指腹外形改进方法的探讨

目的 探讨以第2、3足趾移植再造拇、手指术后指腹短粗外形的改进方法.方法 对33例、39指不同指别的第2、3足趾移植再造术后的指腹,采用一侧和双侧皮肤及皮下组织部分切除缩小指腹.或将术中切下的皮肤及皮下组织做成筋膜蒂皮瓣转移至中节指掌侧,以增粗中节指节的周径.同时对几种方法进行同顾性的总结和探讨. 结果 33例39指修整的指腹皮肤无坏死,转移皮瓣血供好,术后指腹外形明显平坦,中节指周径有较明显增粗,效果满意.1例中节指掌侧进行游离皮片移植拟减轻指腹屈曲和增加中节指周径的方法效果不明显. 结论 应用对第2、3足趾移植再造拇手指术后指腹侧方切除部分皮肤及皮下组织的方法能够明显改善足趾趾腹移植到手指后的外形,与手指指腹外形更加接近.手术方法简单,效果可靠,对再造指指腹感觉及血供无影响.     

Reconstruction of multiple fingertip injuries with reverse flow homodigital flap

Aim

Hand trauma may lead to multiple fingertip defects, causing functional restrictions. We evaluated the use of reverse-flow homodigital flap reconstruction of the distal phalanx and pulp defects associated with multiple finger injuries.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated 11 male patients who presented at our emergency department (January 2011–March 2013) with multiple fingertip injuries and who were treated with a reverse-flow homodigital flap. Evaluations included age, sex, defect size, flap survival rate, complications, cold intolerance, two-point discrimination, range of motion (ROM), quick disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand (DASH) score, and return to work time.

Results

Completely, 22 reverse-flow homodigital flaps were applied to at least two fingertip injuries at the distal phalanx. Ten flaps survived postoperatively. The exception was partial flap loss on one finger. The mean follow-up was 14.2 months. At the final follow-up, the mean static two-point discrimination value was 10.3 mm. Mean ROMs of interphalangeal joints were 65.31° (distal) and 105.77° (proximal). Donor sites were covered with full-thickness skin grafts from the wrist or antecubital area. There were no complications related to the donor site and no development of cold intolerance in any finger. The mean quick DASH score was 4.12. All patients returned to work in an average of 8.3 weeks.

Conclusions

The reconstruction of multiple fingertip injuries with reverse-flow homodigital flaps is a safe, effective method that can be combined with other local finger flaps. These flaps can be applied to two consecutive fingers without reducing finger length or function.     

Finger reconstruction with a free neurovascular wrap-around flap from the big toe

From 1983 to 1998, 16 cases of finger reconstruction with a free neurovascular wrap-around flap from the big toe were treated. Fourteen cases were successful, and two cases failed. The authors reviewed these cases on the average of about 38 months after surgery. Pinch power was 51 percent of the unaffected normal hand, and two-point discrimination was 7.6 mm. The mean resorption of the grafted bone was 13 percent in width and 9 percent in length. There were no complications such as fracture of the grafted bone, nonunion, and pulp dislodgement. This procedure provided length, stability, and adequate sensibility for a functional pinch and grasp. Sensory return to the wrap-around flap on the thumb was often greater than for the same area on the opposite foot. The donor site of the wrap-around flap was acceptable, both aesthetically and functionally, and allowed the wearing of open-toed shoes by young women. Finger reconstruction with a wrap-around flap from the big toe yielded excellent cosmetic and functional results in cases involving amputation at the level of the metacarpophalangealjoints or distal to it. In addition, this procedure was an excellent choice for treatment in cases involving avulsion injuries of the fingers and reconstruction of soft-tissue defects after tumor excision.     

趾腹游离皮瓣移植修复指腹缺损19例

目的 研究拇指及其他手指指腹缺损修复的一种可行方法。方法 对1987年来应用吻合血管游离趾腹皮瓣移植，修复拇指及其他手指指腹缺损19例。结果 19例移植皮瓣全部成功。术后随访3个月－12年，修复的指腹外观饱满，皮纹清晰，两点分辨觉为6－8mm，修复指持物时无疼痛；供足于移植术后以皮片修复，无瘢痕及胼胝形成，无任何功能影响。结论 与其他修复指腹缺损的方法相比，趾腹游离皮瓣移植对单一的指腹缺损修复更加理想。     

Distal thumb reconstruction using a mini wrap-around flap from the great toe.

We have used a great toe mini wrap-around flap for reconstruction of the thumb at, or distal to, the interphalangeal joint. Our series included 12 patients with traumatic amputations. A flap including the entire nail and most of the distal phalanx of the great toe was used. Eleven of the grafts survived. Sensibility was good with an average of 10 mm static two-point discrimination (range, 5-15) and there were no complaints of cold intolerance. All patients were pleased with the appearance of the thumb and there was no significant morbidity at the great toe donor site. The great toe mini wrap-around flap is an excellent reconstruction technique for selected patients with distal thumb amputations.     

Reconstruction of fingertip defects with great toe pulp grafts

Various methods have been used to treat fingertip defects that are caused when distal parts are amputated. In this study, we used the pulp graft harvested from the lateral aspect of the great toe. Between September 2004 and August 2006, the great toe pulp graft were performed on 16 patients. The ages of patients ranged from 4 to 58 years. The average follow-up duration was 28 months. Complete graft take was observed in 13 of 16 patients. Partial necrosis was observed in 2 patients, and total necrosis in 1 patient. The pulp graft was painless and the color and texture of the graft were similar to the adjacent skin. Semmes-Weinstein monofilament and 2-point discrimination tests showed good recovery of fingertip sense. The scar of the fingertip was assessed by Vancouver Scar Scale and Cold intolerance by Visual Analog Scale and the results were satisfactory and also improved with time. The recipient site wasclosed with little scar. There were no gait disturbances. To conclude, the great toe pulp graft can provide soft-tissue and sensory recovery in fingertip defects.     

Local neurovascular island flap

Fingertip amputation, with loss of the terminal pulp and bone exposure presents a difficult problem. Reconstruction with use of a local neurovascular island flap has been done in twenty-one patients to restore sensibility and function with preservation of length. All patients achieved two-point discrimination values within two millimeters of the normal contralateral fingertip, with adequate pad for pain-free pinch. We advocate this procedure for deep pulp loss over the distal phalanx. It is reliable, single-staged, and provides skin coverage closer to normal than any regional flap technique.     

Free toe pulp transfer for digital reconstruction after high-pressure injection injury

We report two cases of high-pressure injection injuries to the fingertip in which free toe pulp flaps were used to resurface the palmar surface of the finger following extensive wound debridement. There was good return of sensibility and, because of the high durability of the donor skin, both patients regained good functional use of the injured digits and returned to heavy manual work. There was minimal associated morbidity of the donor sites. The free toe pulp flap represents an excellent alternative for resurfacing the digit with a large residual skin defect after high-pressure injection injury.     

Free toe pulp flap for finger pulp and volar defect reconstruction

Background:Fingertip injury requiring flap cover is very common in the modern era. The ideal cover should fulfill both functional and aesthetic improvement.Results:Five flaps survived completely, one suffered partial loss, and one flap failed completely. The median follow-up period was 9 months. The median duration of surgery was 255 min (range 210 to 300 min). The median two-point discrimination was 6.5 mm (range 4–8 mm). There was the return of temperature sensation in all patients; two had cold intolerance. The Semmes-Weinstein monofilament score varied from 3.61 to 5.07 (median filament index value 4.31/pressure value of 2 g/mm²). Three patients had delayed donor site wound healing.Conclusions:The free toe pulp flap is an efficient choice for fingertip and volar finger defects reconstruction with an excellent tissue match.KEY WORDS: Finger defect, free toe pulp flap, pulp defect, reconstruction, volar defect     

Fingertip replantation at or distal to the nail base: use of the technique of artery-only anastomosis

The authors describe the functional and aesthetic results of microsurgical replantation of 21 fingertip amputations at or distal to the nail base-namely, zone I amputations. There were 15 male and 6 female patients, with an average age of 26 years (age range, 1-41 years). Replantations were performed using the anastomosis of the artery-only technique, with neither vein nor nerve repair. Venous drainage was provided by an external bleeding method with a fish-mouth incision in "distal" zone I amputations for approximately 7 days, and by the use of leeches in more "proximal" zone I amputations for 10 to 12 days. Results indicated that the overall survival rate was 76%, with 16 of 21 digits surviving. Sensory evaluation at an average follow-up of 12 months (range, 6-18 months) revealed an average static two-point discrimination of 6.1 mm (range, 2.0-8.0 mm). Considering the unfavorable results and the donor site morbidity of various fingertip reconstructions, a microsurgical fingertip replantation should always be considered except in extremely distal, clean-cut, pediatric cases, in which case a composite graft is a possibility. The results of this series indicate that an amputated fingertip in zone I can be salvaged successfully by microvascular anastomosis of the artery only, with a nonmicrosurgical method of venous drainage. Furthermore, acceptable sensory recovery can be expected without any nerve coaptation.     

Conservative treatment of fingertip injuries

In a prospective investigation of 81 consecutive patients with fingertip injuries conservative treatment was evaluated. Fingertip injuries were defined as lesions greater than or equal to 1 cm2 in the terminal phalanx without injury to the tendons or joints. All fingertip injuries were cleaned and covered by Vaseline gauze and left to heal. If less than 2 mm of soft tissue covered the bone a few millimetres of bone were nibbled away to allow good cover with soft tissue. The majority of injuries (64 per cent) occurred at work. The average healing time was 25 days. The main later complaints were intolerance of cold (36 per cent), numbness (36 per cent) and tenderness (26 per cent). None of the patients had stiff joints. On average, the two-point discrimination had increased by 1 mm in the injured fingertip. Conservative treatment is recommended as a safe and simple treatment of fingertip injuries, even when bone is exposed in the wound.     

逆行第一跖背动脉岛状皮瓣修复(足母)趾腓侧游离皮瓣供区创面

目的应用逆行第1跖背动脉岛状皮瓣修复趾腓侧游离皮瓣的供区,为减少显微外科供区损伤提供新方法。方法2000年2月至2004年6月,对12例拇指及其他手指软组织缺损,采用趾腓侧游离皮瓣移植修复。根据第1跖背动脉和跖底动脉在跖趾关节处存在恒定的交通支的解剖学基础,切取逆行第1跖背动脉岛状皮瓣修复趾供区创面,足背供区直接缝合。结果12例趾腓侧游离皮瓣和逆行第1跖背动脉岛状皮瓣移植全部成活,平均随访10个月,皮瓣外观和功能恢复良好。趾腓侧游离皮瓣平均两点辨别觉为6mm,逆行第1跖背动脉皮瓣为10mm。结论在趾腓侧游离皮瓣移植修复拇指或其他手指软组织损伤的同时,应用逆行第1跖背动脉岛状皮瓣完善修复趾供区创面,达到了＂双赢＂的手术目的。     

第2趾胫侧皮瓣修复手指中末节指腹皮肤软组织缺损

目的探讨以跖底动脉为蒂的第2趾胫侧游离皮瓣移植修复手指中末节指腹软组织缺损或指尖皮肤缺损的临床效果。方法1998年1月一2012年3月,对29例因外伤造成手指中末节指腹软组织缺损或指尖皮肤缺损患者,采用第2趾胫侧皮瓣游离移植修复。结果本组29例均恢复原手指的外形与功能,且保留了第2趾的长度、外形与功能。结论第2趾胫侧游离皮瓣是修复手指中末节指腹软组织缺损或指尖皮肤缺损的良好方法。     

The tibial second toe vascularized neurocutaneous free flap for major digital nerve defects

PURPOSE: Most digital nerve defects can be reconstructed by means of nonvascularized nerve grafts or artificial tubes, for example. When the bed is poor, the defect is long, or there is a concomitant soft-tissue loss; however, a vascularized nerve graft may be a better option. Our purpose is to introduce a method of 1-stage reconstruction of complex neurocutaneous defects in the fingers and to report the results and clinical effectiveness at a minimum 1-year follow-up period. METHODS: From 1997 to 2005 there were 6 consecutive patients who had a combined soft-tissue and digital nerve defect reconstructed by a vascularized neurocutaneous flap from the tibial (medial) side of the second toe. Three were acute and 3 were chronic cases. One flap was used for the ulnar side of the thumb, 2 for the radial aspect of the index finger, 1 for the radial of the small finger, and 2 for the ulnar side of the small finger. The nerve gap averaged 4.2 cm, and the flap size averaged 3.2 x 2.1 cm. The flaps were revascularized with standard microsurgical techniques to local vessels in the fingers. The nerves were sutured with epineural stitches. A split-thickness skin graft was used to close the donor site of the toe. RESULTS: All flaps survived without complications. At the latest follow-up evaluation static two-point discrimination (s2PD) averaged 8 mm on the pulp. Three patients had normal sensation when tested with Semmes-Weinstein filaments. Subjective feeling was 78% of that of the normal side. Five patients rated their feeling as excellent on a subjective scale. The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire score averaged 5. CONCLUSIONS: The tibial neurocutaneous second toe free flap is suitable for reconstructing a missing nerve and soft-tissue defect in the finger. We found good functional recovery and high satisfaction in this group of patients. The donor site morbidity has been minimal, although delayed healing is common. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic IV.     

拇趾甲皮瓣及尺动脉腕上皮支下行支皮瓣瓦合并髂骨植骨再造拇指末节缺损

目的探讨拇趾甲皮瓣及尺动脉腕上皮支下行支皮瓣瓦合并髂骨植骨再造拇指末节缺损的临床疗效。方法对7例拇指末节缺损患者分别采用吻合血管拇趾甲皮瓣修复拇指背侧皮肤及指甲缺损、尺动脉腕上皮支下行支皮瓣修复拇指末节掌侧皮肤缺损、末节指骨缺损取髂骨移植。拇趾甲皮瓣供区采用游离植皮5例,同侧第2趾胫侧方皮瓣顺行覆盖2例;尺动脉腕上皮支下行支皮瓣供区均直接缝合。结果 7例拇趾甲皮瓣及尺动脉腕上皮支下行支皮瓣均顺利成活,伤口一期愈合。其中1例拇趾甲皮瓣供区植皮出现部分坏死,经换药后愈合。末节植骨愈合时间为8~11周,平均10周。去除内固定物后行规律功能锻炼。所有患者获随访6~15个月,平均8个月,移植组织成活及拇指指甲生长良好,指腹皮瓣两点辨别觉为8~10 mm(平均9 mm);足部供区皮瓣及植皮无破溃,足部功能未受影响。结论采用拇趾甲皮瓣及尺动脉腕上皮支下行支皮瓣瓦合并髂骨植骨再造拇指末节能较好地恢复拇指外形及功能,是一种较好的临床治疗方法。     

Free toe pulp transfer in thumb reconstruction. Experience in the West of Scotland Regional Plastic Surgery Unit

We report a detailed evaluation of 13 patients who have undergone free toe pulp transfer in thumb reconstruction at the West of Scotland Regional Plastic Surgery Unit. Using the lateral aspect of the great toe pulp, the average time for transfer was 7.5 hours and the average moving 2 P.D. achieved in the thumb reconstructions was 9.6 mm. Morbidity in the donor toe was minimal, but pain and hypersensitivity limited the usefulness of some reconstructed thumbs and cold intolerance was frequent (73%).     

Behandlung von Fingerkuppendefektverletzungen mit dem Semiokklusionsverband nach Mennen und Wiese

Objective

The goal of conservative treatment of fingertip defects is to restore a stable and bulky pulp with recovery of sensitivity and a good skin quality.

Indications

Traumatic defects of the fingertip with or without involvement of the fingernail and/or exposed distal phalanx.

Contraindications

Fractures of the distal phalanx with dislocation or joint involvement, necessitating an osteosynthesis. Allergy to any component of the dressing material.

Dressing technique

Application of a semiocclusive film dressing (polyurethane, bacteria- and waterproof, water vapor permeable). If necessary, debridement of necrotic tissue can precede the first film application. Until complete epithelialization of the defect, the dressing needs to be changed not more than once a week. Thereby, the wound itself must be kept untouched.

Further management

Patients must be encouraged to move all finger joints with the applied dressing. After healing, the new skin is initially protected during heavy loading and shear stress, e.g., by a leather finger glove.

Results

Based on the method of Mennen and Wiese [3], 200 fingertip injuries (some having involvement of the fingernail or exposed distal phalanx) healed within 20–30 days. The pulp was bulky remodeled with good skin quality including the “fingerprint”, as well as nearly normal sensitivity. Using this method, Quell et al. [5] reported on 42 fingertip injuries healed within 2–6 weeks. All fingers could be used without limitation; these were free of pain, with remodeled “fingerprint” and barely visible scars, regular perspiration and restored sensitivity (two-point discrimination 2–8 mm).     

Complications of the reverse homodigital island flap in fingertip reconstruction

Twenty-four digital artery island flaps with reversed flow were used to reconstruct 23 patients with fingertip injuries in the authors' clinic between June 1998 and August 2000. No nerve coaptation was performed in these patients. Patient age ranged between 18 and 35 years. All patients were evaluated at clinical follow-up for active range of motion, appearance, patient satisfaction, two-point discrimination, hypersensitivity and cold intolerance, previous hand injury, and flap viability in the repaired finger. Based on their experience, the authors consider that this procedure has several disadvantages: relatively high flap loss, sacrifice of one of the two major arteries of the finger, it is a time-consuming method, it is a difficult flap dissection, there is a requirement for loupe and microsurgical equipment. The authors think that this flap should not be the first choice for fingertip reconstruction especially for patients who have possibility of reinjuring their hands because of their jobs.     

拇指末节部分缺损的再造与修复

目的报道采用不同类型的趾部分组织移植再造与修复拇指末节部分缺损的临床效果。方法应用吻合血管的趾腹皮瓣、趾甲瓣、甲皮瓣、带部分末节趾骨的甲瓣及趾腓侧半复合组织瓣游离移植分别再造与修复五种类型的拇指末节部分缺损27例。结果手术全部获得成功,经半年～5年(平均2.1年)随访,再造拇指指间关节活动度平均为52°,指腹两点分辨觉为5～8mm,外形良好。结论以趾为供区的不同类型组织瓣游离移植是再造与修复拇指末节部分缺损的最佳方法。