The first dorsal metacarpal artery neurovascular island flap

A first dorsal metacarpal artery island flap from the index finger was used in 20 cases for reconstruction of defects in the hand. In six cases it was used as a neurovascular flap for sensory resurfacing of the thumb and in five cases for release of a contracted first web. One flap underwent necrosis and there was a complication in one donor site.     

第1掌骨背桡侧动脉蒂岛状皮瓣的临床应用

目的探讨第1掌骨背桡侧动脉岛状皮瓣在拇指远端软组织缺损修复中的临床应用。方法应用第1掌骨背桡侧动脉岛状皮瓣修复拇指远端软组织缺损20例。结果本组20例皮瓣全部成活．术后随访3-12个月,拇指外形满意,质地柔软,皮神经修复者两点辨别觉8～12mm。结论第1掌骨背桡侧动脉岛状皮瓣具有操作简便、质地良好、血供可靠、损伤小等优点,是修复拇指远端软组织缺损的较好方法。     

Distally based dorsal metacarpal artery island flap

Summary The use of a distally based third dorsal metacarpal artery island flap to resurface three-fourths of the proximal phalanx of the ring finger is reported.     

Restoration of thumb sensibility with the innervated first dorsal metacarpal artery island flap

PURPOSE: This study investigated the quality of sensibility from innervated first dorsal metacarpal artery (FDMCA) island flaps in younger and older patients and evaluated the donor site morbidity at the index finger. METHODS: Twenty-five patients with an innervated FDMCA island flap to restore sensibility of the thumb were divided into groups according to age (>50 or <50 years). Sensory recovery and cortical reorientation were tested with Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments, a calibrated 2-point discrimination tester, and needle prick testing. Donor site morbidity was evaluated for range of motion, aesthetic appearance, pain, and problems with injuries. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 48.3 years and the mean follow-up period was 3 years. The 14 patients older than 50 years had a static 2-point discrimination (s2-PD) of 10.9 mm compared with 10.8 mm of the 11 patients younger than 50 years. The average loss of s2-PD of the flap compared with the donor area averaged 2.7 mm in all patients. Complete cortical reorientation occurred in 7 patients older than 50 years and in 5 patients younger than 50 years. Total loss of range of motion of all donor finger joints was 14 degrees (4.4%) compared with the contralateral index finger. Twenty-two patients were satisfied with the result. CONCLUSIONS: There were no age-related differences in the surgical results of the innervated FDMCA island flap and the donor site morbidity was negligible.     

改良第一掌背动脉岛状皮瓣修复拇指软组织缺损的疗效观察

目的 探讨改良第一掌背动脉岛状皮瓣修复拇指远端软组织缺损的成活优良率和感觉重建的疗效.方法 2004年3月至2007年10月,应用第一掌背动脉(the first dorsal metacarpal artery,FDMCA)皮瓣修复拇指近(末)节掌侧软组织缺损65例,获得完整随访资料者49例.男37例,女12例;年龄18～65岁,平均32岁.分别采用改良(31例)及常规筋膜蒂切取法(18例)治疗.改良方法与传统方法不同之处在于蒂部除包含FDMCA及该血管周围1 mm的肌袖外,还携带第一背侧骨间肌两肌腹间沟内的组织及宽1.5～2.0 cm的深筋膜及骨间肌肌膜为蒂.并将筋膜蒂中的神经束切断与拇指掌侧指神经残端以8-0线吻合.对两组皮瓣出现远端坏死、血管危象的频率及感觉恢复的差异进行统计学分析.结果 术后随访20个月～3年,平均2年.49块皮瓣中46块完全成活.用常规方法切取的皮瓣18例中5例术后出现血管危象,最终3块皮瓣远端部分坏死.31例改良FDMCA皮瓣成活良好,感觉恢复满意,且定位于拇指;18例神经转位皮瓣均有不同程度的混合感觉(33%)或异位感觉(62%),仅1例皮瓣感觉完全定位于拇指.结论 改良筋膜蒂切取法的FDMCA皮瓣成活优良率明显提高.将皮瓣内携带的桡神经浅支与受区拇指掌侧指神经吻合可使皮瓣感觉定位于拇指,但尚不能证明其对皮瓣两点分辨觉及实体感觉恢复有明显影响.     

The second dorsal metacarpal artery neurovascular island flap

The clinical applications of the second dorsal metacarpal artery island flap are illustrated by selective case reports from a series of 12 consecutive cases carried out in this Unit. In five cases the flap was transferred as a neurovascular island flap for sensory resurfacing of the thumb. There were no failures and no donor site complications. The anatomy and clinical dissection of the flap are described.     

The second dorsal metacarpal artery neurovascular island flap

Eleven patients have had second dorsal metacarpal sensate island flaps used to cover local skin defects in the hand. The arterial supply is reliable but if the flap is extended beyond the proximal interphalangeal joint, distal flap necrosis or donor site difficulties may occur. Possible applications for this flap are demonstrated and some untried variations to increase its range are suggested. Its main use appears to be in the release of first web contractures and for resurfacing radio-palmar and thumb defects.     

第1掌背动脉为蒂的逆行皮瓣

目的：介绍以第1掌背动脉为蒂逆行皮瓣的手术方法和适应证，方法：设计以第1掌背动脉为蒂的轴型皮瓣，逆行转位修复食指软组织缺损并肌腱、骨外露。结果：手术11例，皮瓣全部成活，随访3-18个月，食蒂外形满意，受区两点分辨觉为7-11mm，常指关节及指间关节活动范围正常。结论：该皮瓣的最佳适应证为食指皮扶缺损并肌腱、骨外露者。     

Second dorsal metacarpal artery neurovascular island flap: clinical applications

This paper reports the clinical use of the second dorsal metacarpal artery island flap in a series of 12 cases and discusses the results. In two cases, a double flap based on the second dorsal metacarpal artery from the dorsal skin of the second and third fingers without using the second web was raised as a modification of the dorsal flap.     

带掌背浅静脉的第三掌背动脉岛状皮瓣

目的探讨带掌背浅静脉的第三掌背动脉逆行岛状皮瓣的手术方法,扩大第三掌背动脉皮瓣的修复范围,提高皮瓣的成活质量。方法通过皮瓣蒂部带第三掌背皮神经及掌背浅静脉,在原轴线近端距轴点6cm左右,以浅静脉为轴线向腕背部延伸,在此轴线上设计切取皮瓣。自1999年以来,修复中指、环指近、中节指背或指腹软组织缺损13例,其中合并远节指腹指背软组织缺损5例。结果皮瓣全部成活,2例类似于静脉皮瓣成活。结论本术式扩大了第三掌背动脉岛状皮瓣的修复范围,使之可修复中、环指的整个指背或指腹软组织缺损。该术式操作方便,效果较好,值得临床推广。     

第一掌背动脉逆行岛状筋膜瓣修复示指掌侧皮肤缺损

目的 介绍第一掌背动脉逆行岛状筋膜瓣修复示指掌侧皮肤缺损的方法。方法 用第一掌背动脉逆行筋膜瓣移位及皮片移植修复示指掌侧皮肤缺损5例。皮肤缺损面积为1.5 cm×4.0 cm～3.0 cm×7.0 cm。结果 5例筋膜瓣加植皮均存活,效果满意。结论 采用第一掌背动脉逆行岛状筋膜瓣移位加皮片移植是一种治疗示指掌侧皮肤缺损简单而有效的手术方法。     

Sensate first dorsal metacarpal artery flap for resurfacing extensive pulp defects of the thumb

Finding an appropriate soft-tissue grafting material to close a wound located over the distal phalanx of the thumb, especially the pulp region, can be a difficult task. A sensate first dorsal metacarpal artery flap, mobilized from the dorsum of the adjacent index finger and used as an island pedicle skin flap, can be useful for this purpose. The pedicle includes the ulnar branch of the first dorsal metacarpal artery, the dorsal veins, and the cutaneous branch of the radial nerve. Although this tiny artery is anatomically variable, safe dissection can be achieved by including the radial shaft periosteum of the secondary metacarpal bone and the ulnar head fascia of the first interosseous muscle.This approach has been used for 8 individuals with extensive pulp defects of the thumb over the past 3 years. Skin defects in all patients were combined with bone, joint, or tendon exposure. All flaps survived completely. This 1-stage procedure is reliable and technically simple. It provides sensate coverage to the pulp of the thumb but also avoids nerve repair or more complicated microsurgery.     

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.     

第一掌背动脉皮瓣修复拇、食指皮肤软组织缺损

目的报道第一掌背动脉皮瓣修复拇、食指皮肤软组织缺损的临床效果。方法2005年8月-2012年10月,采用第一掌背动脉皮瓣修复拇、食指皮肤软组织缺损35例,术后随访3-24个月。结果本组35例皮瓣成活良好,外观满意,两点辨别觉达6-10mm,无虎口挛缩,拇食指的对捏、对掌功能恢复良好。结论第一掌背动脉皮瓣修复拇、食指皮肤软组织缺损操作简单,供血血管变异率低,无需再次手术断蒂,也可制成带血运的掌骨、伸肌腱复合组织瓣,且能携带掌背皮神经重建感觉,值得临床推广。     

第二掌背动脉岛状皮瓣的临床应用

目的：通过解剖学研究，设计第２掌背动脉岛状皮瓣，临床修复手部皮肤缺损，获得成功。方法：对５０只经动脉灌注红色乳胶的成人手标本，在放大镜下观察第２掌背动脉及伴行静脉的起端，皮支、终末支的走行；测量血管各部位的直径。结果：第２掌背动脉终末支分布于第２指蹼、示中指近节皮肤；皮支和其它掌背、掌指动脉间有丰富的吻合支。临床应用８例，顺行皮瓣７例，逆行１例。修复手背、拇指皮肤缺损，皮瓣全部成活。结论：临床应用第２掌背动脉为蒂的岛状皮瓣时，可设计成顺行或逆行皮瓣，均能成活。     

Combined first dorsal metacarpal artery flap and dorsal transposition flap for correction of extensive first web space contracture: a case report and literature review

First web space contracture is a common sequela after hand trauma and exerts tremendously negative effects on hand function. To restore hand function, it is mandatory to release contracted first web structures, which usually results in a large skin defect. Dorsal transposition flaps sometimes are not sufficient to cover the whole defect. Microvascular flaps provide abundant soft tissue, but they are lengthy procedures and exhibit risks of complete flap failure. In this study, we present an alternative approach to address this difficult clinical problem. A 25-year-old man developed extensive contracture over the first web space after trauma. After release of the contracted structures, the extensive skin defect was covered by a dorsal transposition flap with an extension to the territory of the first dorsal metacarpal artery flap. The functional and cosmetic results were excellent, without recurrence of contracture postoperatively. The combined first dorsal metacarpal artery flap and dorsal transposition flap appeared to be an effective and relatively simple method for the reconstruction of severe first web space contracture.