Reconstruction of a Tuberculous Thumb by Free Bone Grafting: A Case Report

Tuberculosis with secondary staphylococcal infection destroyed the right thumb and index phalanges of a 24-year-old farmer. Four months after starting antibiotic therapy the index finger was amputated, and the thumb reconstructed by excising the disorganized phalanges and transferring the index metacarpal as a free graft to replace them. No previous report of this technique has been traced. A concurrent infection of the patient's left tarsus was treated by triple arthrodesis.     

Toe Tissue Transfer for the Reconstruction of Digital Injuries

Based upon the reconstructive principle «Replace like with like», the first and the second toes have shown to be ideal to replace lost digital structures in congenital cases or in traumatic cases when reimplantation has failed. The aim of this paper is to present a series of 15 patients operated on in our department between 1988 and 1995. In this series, the value of toe transfer for replacement of lost digital structures is illustrated and critically analysed by means of the final functional result evaluation.     

Nail flaps for microsurgical aesthetic reconstruction of thumb and donor site of great toe

Abstract

We describe a case of mutual transpositional transfers of toe and thumb in an attempt to restore the aesthetic appearance of the thumb with a deformity of the nail. The reconstructed thumb with the skin-nail flap from the great toe gave an excellent result both aesthetically and functionally, and the nail grew normally. The donor site of the great toe that was covered with the skin-nail flap from the thumb healed satisfactorily. This is another option for donor site management, the results of which are good, but the indications are under discussion.     

Minifragment Screw Fixation of Oblique Metacarpal Fractures: A Biomechanical Analysis of Screw Types and Techniques

The lag screw technique has historically been a successful and accepted way to treat oblique metacarpal fractures. However, it does take additional time and involve multiple steps that can increase the risk of fracture propagation or comminution in the small hand bones of the hand. An alternate fixation technique uses bicortical interfragmentary screws. Other studies support the clinical effectiveness and ease of this technique. The purpose of this study is to biomechanically assess the strength of the bicortical interfragmentary screw versus that of the traditional lag screw. Using 48 cadaver metacarpals, oblique osteotomies were created and stabilized using one of four methods: 1.5 mm bicortical interfragmentary (IF) screw, 1.5 mm lag technique screw, 2.0 mm bicortical IF screw, or 2.0 mm lag technique screw. Biomechanical testing was performed to measure post cyclic displacement and load to failure. Data was analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). There was no significant difference among the fixation techniques with regard to both displacement and ultimate failure strength. There was a slight trend for a higher load to failure with the 2.0 mm IF screw and 2.0 mm lag screw compared to the 1.5 mm IF and 1.5 mm lag screws, but this was not significant. Our results support previously established clinical data that bicortical interfragmentary screw fixation is an effective treatment option for oblique metacarpal fractures. This technique has clinical importance because it is an option to appropriately stabilize the often small and difficult to control fracture fragments encountered in metacarpal fractures.     

Salvage of a Thumb Replant Using a Bilobed Dorsal Metacarpal Artery Island Flap: Case Report and Literature Review

Amputations and degloving injuries of the hand are highly disabling, especially when they affect the thumb. Dorsal metacarpal artery (DMCA)-based flaps have been well-documented in the literature for use in extensive degloving injuries of both dorsal and palmar aspects of the thumb surface. Modifications on these flaps, such as the bilobed island flap, offer additional advantages when larger surface areas or more distal defects of the thumb are present. We present a review of the literature on the DMCA flap and describe its use to salvage a partial survival of a thumb amputation through the metacarpophalangeal joint.     

足拇趾甲瓣与第2趾趾骨皮瓣组合再造拇指术

目的探讨应用足拇趾甲瓣与足第2趾趾骨皮瓣组合再造拇指的临床应用价值。方法12例（13指）拇指缺损平面：Ⅰ度缺损3例3指,Ⅱ度缺损5例6指,Ⅲ度缺损2例2指,Ⅳ度缺损1例1指,Ⅴ度缺损1例1指。依据手指缺损的长度和范围设计拇趾趾甲瓣与第2足趾趾骨皮瓣切取范围,第2趾携带胫侧皮瓣。末节再造者8例9指,其拇趾供区全厚植皮,第2趾创面直接闭合;4例4指应用第2趾甲皮瓣修复拇趾趾创面。结果12例均获随访,时间28个月。再造指全部成活12指,甲床部分坏死1指。再造指感觉运动功能及外观功能满意。按赵书强手功能评定标准：优3例,良9指,可1指。足供区外观功能均满意。结论足拇趾甲瓣与第2趾趾骨皮瓣组合再造术是解决拇手指缺损的有效方法。