The arterial supply of the thumb, first web and index finger and its surgical application

A detailed examination of twenty cadaver hands has been carried out in order to elucidate the arterial blood supply of the thumb, first web, and index finger, relating this to revascularization, replantation and possible flaps in that area. The vessels are described in turn, and it is demonstrated that the terms "princeps pollicis" and "arteria radialis indicis" are misnomers. The results of the dissections are compared to those of others and the differences recorded.     

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。     

双穿支蒂虎口背侧逆行岛状皮瓣修复拇示指软组织缺损

目的 介绍双穿支蒂虎口背侧逆行岛状皮瓣的临床应用体会.方法 对拇、示指较大面积软组织缺损,采用双穿支蒂虎口背侧逆行岛状皮瓣修复,临床应用15例.结果 术后皮瓣均顺利存活,随访时间为3～6个月,皮瓣外观满意,功能恢复良好,虎口开大达80°以上,不影响拇、示指的对捏、对掌功能.结论 双穿支蒂虎口背侧逆行岛状皮瓣是修复拇、示指较大面积软组织缺损的较好术式.     

The first dorsal metacarpal flap in first web space and thumb reconstruction

Small local flaps for reconstruction of contractures or defects on the hand are useful. The first dorsal metacarpal flap from the dorsal surface of the proximal index is a convenient local flap in hand surgery. The flap may include the dorsal vein and, most importantly, the cutaneous branch of radial nerve. Although there may be some variations of the vascular pedicle, the flap is reliable using careful dissection. In a series of 15 patients, reconstruction with this flap was successful except for 1 patient with marginal necrosis. The first dorsal metacarpal flap is a reliable and convenient local flap in reconstruction of defects or contracture on the thumb and first web space.     

拇指背侧皮神经营养血管皮瓣修复虎口缺损

目的探讨拇指背侧皮神经营养血管皮瓣修复虎口部软组织缺损的方法。方法应用拇背侧皮神经营养血管皮瓣修复虎口部软组织缺损、瘢痕挛缩12例,皮瓣修复创面大小3cm×4cm～4cm×7.5cm。结果术后随访1～3年,12例皮瓣全部成活,外观满意,感觉及功能恢复好。结论拇指背侧皮神经营养血管皮瓣修复虎口部缺损具有操作简便、血供丰富、质地薄、感觉恢复好、无需再次整形等优点,为修复虎口软组织缺损的一种新方法。     

示指背侧岛状皮瓣修复拇指软组织缺损

目的：探讨示指背侧岛状皮瓣修复拇指软组织缺损的应用效果。方法：1998年3月～2007年11月采用示指背侧蒂岛状皮瓣修复13例拇指软组织缺损。结果：修复后的拇指外形较好，功能恢复满意，皮瓣厚薄适中，色泽质地良好。结论：运用示指背侧岛状皮瓣修复拇指软组织缺损是一种可行的方法，然而面积受限是本皮瓣的缺点。     

示指背侧、环指侧方岛状皮瓣修复拇指损伤

目的评价示指背侧岛状皮瓣、环指侧方岛状皮瓣修复拇指损伤的疗效。方法2002年1月-2006年1月，对10例（2例为双侧）拇指皮肤缺损的患者，采用示指背侧岛状皮瓣修复9例（11指），示指背侧和环指岛状皮瓣联合转移修复1例。结果术后皮瓣全部存活，随访时间为8～43个月，平均31个月。皮瓣质地良好，外观和功能均较满意，皮瓣两点分辨觉为5．7～11．6min，平均7．9min。3指皮瓣神经与指神经未缝合者，其中2指感觉定位仍为示指，1指定位模糊。结论示指背侧、环指侧方岛状皮瓣转移修复拇指损伤，方法简单、可靠。部分未行神经缝合者，拇指存在异位感觉是其最大的不足。     

The first metatarsal web space： its applied anatomy and usage in tracing the first dorsal metatarsal artery in thumb reconstruction

Objective: To clarify the anatomical relationship of the structures in the first toe webbing space for better dissection of toes in thumb reconstruction. Methods : The first dorsal metatarsal artery, the first deep transverse metatarsal ligament and the extensor expansion were observed on 42 adult cadaveric lower extremities. Clinically the method of tracing the first dorsal metatarsal artery around the space of the extensor expansion was used in 36 cases of thumb reconstruction. Results: The distal segments of the first dorsal metatarsal artery of Gilbert types I and II were located superficially to the extensor expansion. The harvesting time of a toe was shortened from 90 minutes to 50 minutes with 100% survival of reconstructed fingers. Conclusions: The distal segment of the first dorsal metatarsal artery lies constantly at the superficial layer of the extensor expansion. Most of the first metatarsal arteries of Gilbert types I and II can be easily located via the combined sequential and reverse dissection around the space of the extensor expansion.     

Simultaneous flexion of the thumb and index finger after a fracture of the first metacarpal bone

Summary We report a case in which simultaneous flexion of the thumb and index finger occurred after a fracture of the 1st metacarpal bone. This was demonstrated to be due to a fibrous adhesion around an anomalous slip between the tendons of flexor pollicis longus and flexor digitorum profundus indicis.

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Résumé L'existence d'une anastomose entre le tendon du long fléchisseur du pouce et celui de l'index du fléchisseur commun des doigts a été décrite comme une anomalie relativement fréquente. Cependant, une symptomatologie clinique est inhabituelle malgré la fréquence de telles anomalies. Nous présentons un cas trés rare dans lequel, aprés fracture du premier métacarpien, est apparue une perturbation de la flexion indépendante du pouce et de l'index. Il semble qu'une adhérence fibreuse au niveau de la zone de glissement du tendon anormal soit la cause de ce symptôme.

     

改良食指背侧岛状皮瓣修复拇指末节A区软组织缺损

[目的] 探讨改良食指背侧岛状皮瓣修复拇指末节A区软组织缺损的临床价值.[方法] 2006年1月-2008年6月,采用改良食指背侧岛状皮瓣修复拇指末节软组织缺损13例.按国内拇指截指三类六区分类,均属I类(拇指末节缺损)A区(拇指指端1/2缺损)损伤,缺损面积1.5 cm×2.5 cm～2.0 cm×3.0 cm.术后随访期间评价患手的功能及并发症情况.[结果] 13例皮瓣全部成活.经11～32个月(平均20个月)随访,皮瓣质地良好,患者对拇指功能和外观满意;皮瓣感觉恢复到S_3、S_4.按中华医学会手外科学会拇指再造功能评定试用标准评定:患者拇指功能优10例,良3例.[结论] 改良食指背侧岛状皮瓣具有血供可靠、切取方便、皮肤质地和感觉好等优点,是修复拇指末节软组织缺损的理想方法之一.     

Treatment of thumb soft-tissue defects using a bipedicle island flap of the index finger: anatomical basis and clinical application

Purpose

Reconstruction of the thumb with exposure of bone and tendon is challenging. We designed a bipedicle island flap from the dorsum of the index finger to repair thumb defects. One pedicle includes the radial proper palmar digital artery (PDA) of the index finger, another pedicle includes the first dorsal metacarpal artery (FDMA). The aim of the study was to investigate the anatomical basis and clinical application of this flap.

Methods

Eleven fresh cadaver hands were dissected, the FDMA and the radial proper PDA were exposed. Their origin, distribution and diameter in different locations, especially in the dorsum of the proximal phalanx of the index finger, were examined. Ten patients (11 hands) underwent thumb reconstruction using this flap. During follow-up, the flap survival and hand function were evaluated.

Results

The origin of the FDMA in three cadaver hands was abnormal. The FDMA was mainly distributed in the proximal area of the dorsum of the proximal phalanx. The radial proper PDA of the index finger formed one constant dorsal branch, mainly distributing in the middle and distal area of the dorsum of the proximal phalanx. All flaps survived. At follow-up, the span of the first web and the range of motion of the thumbs and index fingers reached more than 94 % of the contralateral finger. All patients were satisfied with the hand function according to the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ).

Conclusions

The bipedicle island flap has two arterial systems to provide sufficient blood supply. This technique provides another option for thumb reconstruction when a large supercharged FDMA island flap needs to be designed, or when there is an additional injury to the radial side of the dorsum of the hand or if there are anatomical variations of the FDMA, or if damage to the FDMA occurs during surgery.     

The dorsal flap of the first web

In the first web space region, there are communications between the dorsal arteries which arise from the dorsal branch of the radial artery and the digital arteries of the thumb and the index finger. These allow a distally based flap to be raised in the first dorsal intermetacarpal area. This flap has been used in 15 cases of soft-tissue loss from the thumb and index finger. The donor sites were closed primarily in all but two patients. There were no complications, and the results show that this flap is useful for soft-tissue defects on the tip and the palmar and dorsal surfaces of the thumb. Moreover, it may be used as a "cross-finger" flap.     

示指背侧岛状皮瓣修复拇指指腹缺损的技术改进

1998年以来，我们对示指背侧岛状皮瓣修复拇指末节指腹缺损的病例，进行了感觉功能重建，取得满意疗效。     

Dupuytren'S disease affecting the thumb and first web of the hand

The clinical distribution of the Dupuytren's disease cords in the thumb and first web was examined in 100 consecutive patients with Dupuytren's disease. The precise anatomical relations of the cords were then studied in 25 patients undergoing Dupuytren's surgery for thumb and first web space disease. Thumb and first web space involvement was found in 28% of hands affected by Dupuytren's disease, and was the third most common site after the ring and little fingers. Operative findings showed that two major cords could be distinguished. One lying in the first web space and passing towards the insertion of the first dorsal interosseous muscle on the radial side of the index finger and the other lying on the radial aspect of the thumb.     

Arterial blood supply to the infrahyoid muscles: An anatomical study

The arterial supply to the infrahyoid strap muscles originating from the superior thyroid artery (STA), the inferior thyroid artery (ITA), and the internal mammary artery (IMA), also called the internal thoracic artery, were investigated. Intraarterial silicone dye was injected into eight fresh cadavers followed by dissections. The blood supply to the infrahyoid muscles was found to be segmented in nature with the dividing line at the level of the cricoid ring. No axial pattern of vascularization could be demonstrated within the strap muscles. The skin overlying these muscles is supplied by tributaries arising from the above-described arteries. Application of the information gathered is discussed in consideration of local myocutaneous and myoosseous flaps for reconstructive surgery, particularly of the larynx and trachea.     

中环指岛状皮瓣、示指背侧岛状皮瓣转移修复拇指损伤

目的 评价中环指岛状皮瓣和（或）示指背侧岛状皮瓣转移修复拇指损伤的疗效。方法 １９８９年７月￣１９９８年１１月共８例拇指损伤应用中环指岛状皮瓣和（或）示指背侧岛状瓣修复。其中示指侧同状皮瓣转移修复拇指损伤２例,中指尺侧岛状皮瓣加示指背侧岛状岛状皮瓣转移修复拇指脱套伤１例,中环指双岛状皮瓣转移修复拇指撕脱离断伤１例。中指尺侧岛状皮拇指损伤４例。随访７个月－９年１１个月,平均５年１个月,主要观察皮     

Variations in the nerves of the thumb and index finger.

The digital nerves to the thumb and index finger have been studied by dissecting twenty-five embalmed upper limbs. The palmar digital nerves to the thumb were constant in position and course, with a short lateral cutaneous branch from the radial palmar digital nerve in 30 per cent of cases. The palmar digital nerves to the index finger had a variable pattern, the commonest arrangement, well described in Gray's Anatomy, occurring in 74 per cent of cases. The variations and their frequency are described. By examining histological cross-sections of the index finger it was found that of about 5,000 endoneurial tubes entering the finger, 60 per cent passed beyond the distal digital crease to supply the pulp and nail bed. The depth of the palmar digital nerves was about 3 millimetres, but less at the digital creases, and their diameter lay between 1 and 1.5 millimetres as far as the distal digital crease. Clinical applications of the findings are discussed.     

Subtotal reconstruction of the thumb by transposition of index finger

A case of subtotal reconstruction of the thumb is described. The reconstruction was carried out as a staged procedure with an intact index finger transposition, followed by opposition transfer using the abductor digiti quinti muscle after three weeks. Twenty-eight months postoperatively, power grip and precision grip were restored despite destruction of the thenar muscles.