A bilobed groin flap for coverage of traumatic injury to both the volar and dorsal hand surfaces

BACKGROUND:

There are many methods available for coverage of both the volar and dorsal hand surfaces in traumatic injury. All of these surgical procedures allow for ample coverage of the defect, but have the major drawback of needing multiple donor sites. In the present report, a case of a complex crush injury to the hand in which both volar and dorsal surfaces received traumatic injury is presented. A bilobed groin flap pedicled on the superficial circumflex iliac artery was fashioned to cover the entire defect. Like many other described flaps, the bilobed groin flap resulted in a favourable functional and cosmetic result for the patient, but with the unique advantage of requiring a single donor site.

METHODS:

A bipedicled groin flap was raised from distal to proximal, and the flaps inset onto both the dorsal and volar hand defects.

RESULTS:

The patient regained adequate function of his hand, and was able to return to work full-time as a manual labourer.

CONCLUSION:

The bilobed groin flap appears to be a valuable option for covering complex hand injuries involving both the volar and dorsal surfaces of the hand.     

Secondary coverage of the hand using a dorsalis pedis plus first web space free flap.

Traditionally, severe degloving injuries of the hand have been treated with random abdominal or pedicled groin flaps, which offer good cutaneous coverage but do not provide sensibility. The authors present the results of the application of an extended dorsalis pedis plus first web space of the foot flap to resurface the hands of five male patients who had been treated originally with random abdominal or pedicled groin flaps. The reported flap has the advantage of providing the patient with up to three different nerve territories, aiding in a better functional use of the hand.     

Innovations in flap design: modified groin flap for closure of multiple finger defects

The groin flap is frequently used for covering soft-tissue defects of the hand. It is normally utilised as a single unit to cover the defect. When used for coverage of multiple digital defects, it requires syndactylisation of the digits with a further procedure to divide the syndactylised digits some time after division of the main pedicle. We report a new technique of fashioning 'daughter flaps' from the groin flap at the time of elevation, and their use to cover full-thickness burns to the dorsum of PIP joints in both hands thus avoiding the need for syndactylisation of the digits.     

髂腹股沟皮瓣联合股部皮瓣带蒂瓦合移植在手部大面积套脱伤治疗中的应用

目的 介绍髂腹股沟皮瓣联合股部皮瓣带蒂移植治疗手部大面积套脱伤的手术方法和临床效果.方法 对7例手、腕及前臂部广泛皮肤套脱伤的患者,采用髂腹股沟皮瓣联合股前外侧皮瓣带蒂移植修复4例,联合阔筋膜张肌皮瓣带蒂移植2例,联合股前侧皮瓣带蒂移植1例.髂腹股沟部供区创面直接闭合,股部供区创面取全厚层皮片植皮覆盖.术后半个月拆线,并进行皮瓣夹蒂训练,术后1个月根据皮瓣夹蒂训练情况酌情断蒂.急诊一期修复2例,二期修复5例.结果 术后7例皮瓣全部存活,供区伤口I期愈合,随访2～6个月,皮瓣柔软,质地良好,皮瓣外形较臃肿,无坏死及破溃.结论 髂腹股沟皮瓣联合股部皮瓣带蒂移植,二者瓦合可覆盖全手及前臂大面积皮肤套脱伤,手术操作简单,安全性高,易于推广;该皮瓣缺点是需二期手术断蒂,且移植皮瓣外形臃肿,需后期整形.     

The reverse radial forearm flap for soft tissue reconstruction of the wrist and hand

Soft tissue defects of the upper extremity must be carefully assessed to determine the most appropriate method of coverage. Direct closure and local flaps represent the most basic techniques on the reconstructive ladder; however, they are inadequate for large or complex defects. Split thickness skin grafts are appropriate for granulating wounds with a bed of vascularized tissue; however, if there is an exposed joint or bone devoid of periosteum or tendon devoid of paratenon, there will be insufficient neovascularization, and the graft will inevitably fail. The reconstructive hand surgeon must then pursue more complicated techniques for wound coverage based upon knowledge of the available pedicled and free flaps. The reverse radial forearm flap potentially offers thin, mobile skin with similar characteristics to the skin over the dorsum of the hand. This flap is more versatile than the groin flap and probably more reliable than the posterior interosseous artery flap for coverage of moderate-sized defects of the dorsal or palmar wrist and hand and is specifically indicated for coverage of degloving injuries of the dorsal wrist and hand, after release of thumb-index finger web space, and for coverage of amputations of the thumb in preparation for toe-to-thumb transfer.     

Versatility of the thin groin flap

The groin flap is one of the most usable flaps. It provides a large amount of skin coverage with an easily concealed donor site. However, when the flap is used to reconstruct areas of the neck, hand, or foot, a secondary procedure for defatting is usually necessary. Thinner flaps are thought to be more useful in these areas. We present an anatomical study of the thin groin flap, including its dissection and defatting, and 12 clinical cases using the thin groin flap for neck (n = 7), foot (n = 4), and scalp (n = 1) reconstruction. The largest successful flap measured 13 × 30 cm. Eight flaps survived completely, two had partial necrosis, and two had total necrosis. Complications were thought to be caused by dissection around the pedicle. Meticulous dissection and thinning are required to create the thin groin flap. Excellent aesthetic results requiring no secondary defatting procedures are possible with this new thin groin flap. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Groin flap immobilization by axillary brachial plexus block anesthesia

Pedicled groin flaps are still widely used as soft tissue coverage in hand surgery. Various methods have been described for immobilization of flaps, such as Ace wraps, plaster, and external fixators. The hands of 5 females and 12 males, totaling 17 patients, with severe injury were reconstructed with groin flaps between 2001 and 2005. Patients were operated on under a combination of axillary block and general anesthesia. Motor block effect of axillary anesthesia was used for immobilization of the upper extremities at groin flap coverage. A combination of axillary brachial plexus block plus general anesthesia had advantages in the prevention of pedicle tension or torsion during the initial recovery period. Reduction of general anesthesia time and improvement of postoperative pain were also observed. Axillary brachial plexus block and general anesthesia are a preferred combination for patients undergoing groin flap operations.     

Early coverage of deep hand burns with groin flaps

Deep burns of the hands require skin flap coverage in order to protect the exposed vital structures. The groin flap is a safe and effective method of obtaining early closure of these defects. We have used groin flaps to cover deep hand burn defects in nine patients. In each case, groin flaps effectively covered the various defects, such as the volar aspect of the wrist, dorsum of the hand, first web space, thumb, and fingers.     

游离复合皮瓣一期修复腕晚期电烧伤畸形

目的 探讨应用游离复合皮瓣移植，在一次手术中完成多种组织缺损的修复，以提高晚期腕电烧伤的治疗效果。方法 设计以胫后动、静脉为滋养血管的皮瓣，保留其到跖肌腱的筋膜分支切取跖肌腱；通过小腿筋膜携带腓肠神经，从而达到带血供移植肌腱、神经、筋膜和皮肤的目的。同时，从足背切取趾长伸肌腱，将3～4条肌腱分别植人皮瓣深筋膜浅面，将复合皮瓣行吻合血管的游离移植到受区，用以一期修复受区的肌腱、神经、血管的长段缺损。术后定期随访，并对治疗效果进行评价。结果 本组5例，皮瓣移植均成活，随访3～12个月。其中3例在术后3～6个月达到屈指主动屈距掌纹4～5cm，伸指伸距水平3～4cm。2例术后6个月屈指主动屈距掌纹6cm，伸指伸距水平5cm，经补充手术，松解肌腱及功能锻炼，屈指主动屈距掌纹4cm，伸指伸距水平4cm。指腹感觉6个月时均达到S2级，患手皮温明显提高。结论 小腿内后侧胫动、静脉蒂游离复合皮瓣移植，可一次手术修复腕电烧伤后皮肤、肌腱、神经、血管等多种组织缺损，减少了手术次数，治疗效果良好。     

应用髂腹股沟真皮下血管网双叶皮瓣修复手部的深度烧伤创面

目的：探讨应用髂腹股沟真皮下血管网双叶皮瓣修复手部多发深度烧伤创面的可行性和方法。方法：我们对2001年入院的6例手部多发深度创面早期应用髂腹股沟真皮下血管网双叶皮瓣进行修复。结果：皮瓣全部成活,经过3个月至4年的随诊,皮瓣皮肤厚度适中,不需要再次整复手术,患指功能恢复良好,临床治疗效果满意。结论：应用髂腹股沟真皮下血管网双叶皮瓣修复手部多发深度烧伤创面,能够较好地提高皮瓣的利用率,手术方法相对简单,如果病例选择合适往往会取得良好的手术效果。     

The distally based posterior interosseous island flap for the coverage of skin loss of the hand.

Eight patients with skin coverage of the hand by the distally based posterior interosseous island flap (DBPIIF) are presented. The first web was reconstructed in 6 and the volar and dorsal aspect of the hand in 2 patients. Primary closure of the donor sites has always been possible. An echo Doppler examination is indicated to verify the presence and size of the vessel and the direction of its flow. The dissection of the vascular pedicle, however, is frequently quite complex and time consuming. To better appreciate the cosmetic aspect of the DBPIIF and its donor site, a random study has been undertaken to compare this flap with the radial forearm and the groin flap and their corresponding donor sites. Females have more often preferred the groin flap, whereas doctors preferred the DBPIIF. Reliability, a good aesthetic result at the donor site, and the preservation of the main vessels of the hand are the specific merits of the DBPIIF.     

The free fillet flap after traumatic amputation: a review of literature and case report

Severe, mutilating hand injuries present difficult reconstructive scenarios. Often in these cases, portions of the amputated tissue may be used for reconstruction of the remaining digits and hand using the spare parts principle. The free fillet flap follows the spare parts concept. A literature review of free fillet flaps for hand and forearm coverage is provided. We also present a case report of a multi-digit and dorsal hand free fillet flap for coverage of a traumatic metacarpal hand. This flap demonstrates the value of ingenuity in planning during emergent trauma reconstruction.     

髂腹股沟带蒂真皮下血管网皮瓣修复手部皮肤脱套伤

目的应用髂腹股沟带蒂真皮下血管网皮瓣修复手部皮肤脱套伤.方法将带旋髂浅血管或腹壁浅血管为蒂的髂腹股沟皮瓣的远端1/3～1/2修剪成带真皮下血管网薄皮瓣,修复除拇指以外的手部大面积皮肤缺损.结果临床应用9例,皮瓣全部成活,外形及运动功能恢复满意.结论带蒂髂腹股沟真皮下血管网皮瓣修复手部皮肤脱套伤是简单、有效的方法.     

带蒂髂腹股沟皮瓣一期修复手部皮肤缺损65例

采用带蒂髂腹股沟皮瓣一期修复手部皮肤缺损６５例。断蒂时间１４～２８天（平均１６天）。断蒂后皮瓣全部成活，仅５例皮瓣边缘坏死，６例有轻度感染。随访６个月～５年，皮瓣的质地及弹性均好。讨论了带蒂髂腹股沟皮瓣一期修复手外伤的优点。     

The Combined Use of a Pedicled Superficial Inferior Epigastric Artery Flap and a Groin Flap for Reconstruction of a Dorsal and Volar Hand Blast Injury

A hand blast injury case causing a large through-and-through composite tissue loss is presented. This injury resulted in a dorsal and a palmar hand defect with segmental bone loss. Soft tissue coverage of both dorsal and palmar wounds was achieved by two separate pedicle flaps with pedicles closely arising from the femoral artery: a superficial inferior epigastric artery (SIEA) flap and a groin flap. Simultaneously, a large iliac corticocancellous bone graft was harvested from the same incision to be used for the wrist fusion procedure. This approach uses two separate pedicled flaps with robust independent blood supply to cover simultaneously a dorsal and a volar hand wound. A large through-and-through hand defect can be reconstructed readily with this approach, and it is associated with much less perioperative morbidity compared to free composite tissue transfer options. The dissection of both the groin flap and the SIEA flap is straightforward and can be easily performed by a single surgeon. The combined use of these two flaps allows stable coverage of sizable dorsal and palmar wounds of the hand.     

桡侧副动脉分叶穿支皮瓣修复手部不规则创面

[目的]分析桡侧副动脉分叶穿支皮瓣修复手部不规则创面的临床有效性和安全性.[方法]回顾性分析2017年7月-2019年6月本院收治的手部创伤性皮肤损伤106例患者的临床资料,其中,56例采用桡侧副动脉分叶穿支皮瓣修复(分叶组),50例采用常规桡侧副动脉穿支皮瓣修复(常规组).比较两组围手术期情况、随访期指标.[结果]两...     

Thirty-year experience of utility of island groin flap for scrotal defect single-stage reconstruction

For the last 32years, we have been using island groin flap successfully to cover the scrotal defects in a single stage with good results. This flap utility for single-stage urethral fistula repair was first reported by the senior author in 1987 and was published in Br J Urol.¹We have performed single-stage repair of scrotal defects of medium and moderate size with this flap in 25 cases of Fournier's gangrene and in 4 cases of scrotal avulsion injuries due to road traffic accidents. All had good aesthetic results. More than 50% scrotal size defects were treated by a single groin flap alone. In cases with total loss of the scrotum, the groin flap was used along with two superior medial pedicle thigh flaps. Here, we have included cases of single-stage reconstruction of scrotal reconstruction by island groin flap alone. All our patients were operated under spinal anaesthesia. The results were satisfactory for the patients. We conclude from our 30 years of experience of utilizing this vascular island groin flap for a single-stage repair of scrotal defects of moderate size to be a procedure of better choice.     

Release of hand burn contracture: Comparing the ALT perforator flap with the gracilis free flap with split skin graft

Background

The use of microsurgery in the management of burn sequelae is not a new idea. According to the properties of various types of free flaps different goals can be achieved or various additional procedures have to be combined. We report the comparison of two different free flaps on a single patient for reconstruction of both upper extremities for burn sequelae.

Case report

A 1-year-old child sustained severe burns on both hands, arms and thorax and was initially only treated conservatively. This resulted in severe contractures. At the age of 4-years a free gracilis flap was selected for reconstruction of his left hand and a free anterolateral thigh flap for the right hand.

Results

We noticed a better functional and esthetic result for the gracilis flap associated with a shorter operative time and a minor donor site morbidity. The intraoperative technique and time, postoperative complications, functional and esthetic results and donor site morbidities were studied in the two types of flaps chosen. A review of literature was also performed.

Conclusion

Our experience reported a better success of the gracilis muscle flap covered with a split skin graft compared to the anterolateral thigh flap in the reconstruction of hand function after severe burn sequelae.     

Alternative techniques for pedicle transfer of an island flap and a free flap

Alternative techniques for pedicle transfer of a reverse radial forearm flap for hand coverage, and a latissimus dorsi myocutaneous free flap for pelvic wound coverage, are illustrated. Exteriorization of the vascular pedicle of a reverse radial forearm flap allows a greater arc of movement of the flap for more distal coverage, and avoids the potential vascular compromise of tunnelling under a tight skin bridge. Two-stage transfer of a latissimus dorsi myocutaneous free flap on a wrist carrier pedicle may be useful in circumstances when local recipient vessels are inadequate for free flap transfer. Although both of these vascular pedicle modifications have drawbacks, they may be of value in limited circumstances. Their advantages and limitations are discussed.     

The free lateral arm flap in reconstructive hand surgery

Microsurgical tissue transplantation has provided a great advance in reconstructive surgery, especially regarding upper limb defects. Compared to conventional pedicled flaps, mobilisation can occur earlier, hospital stay is shorter and no additional interventions for pedicle detachment and flap inset are needed. The lateral arm flap is an exceptionally versatile free flap with straightforward dissection and low donor site morbidity. End-to-side anastomosis preserves blood flow through the main arteries to the hand and reduces the risk of vascular compromise of the hand, which is especially important in case of severe hand injuries. Sixteen patients who underwent hand reconstruction using the lateral arm free flap are reviewed. All arterial anastomoses were conducted in end-to-side-technique either to the radial or the ulnar artery. There was no total- or partial-flap failure and only one revisional procedure due to a haematoma under the anastomosis. Eight flaps required secondary defatting, combined with removal of osteosynthesis material or tenolysis. From our point of view the free lateral arm flap is a very reliable and versatile method to resurface small and medium sized hand defects.