Flap coverage of dorsum of hand associated with extensor tendons injuries: A completely vascularized single-stage reconstruction

This study reports results in 12 patients treated with "completely vascularized single-stage approaches," so defined because skin, tendon, and nerve are transferred as a compound flap, and all are vascularized. A free dorsalis pedis cutaneotendinous flap was used in 7 patients, while a radial forearm cutaneotendinous island flap was transposed in 5 patients. A dorsalis pedis flap provides four vascularized extensor tendons (extensor digitorum comunis tendons), and the radial artery flap permits the inclusion of one completely vascularized tendon (palmaris longus) and two "strips" of vascularized tendons (flexor carpi radialis and brachioradialis). The flaps survived in all cases, and the transferred tendons were functioning well. The dorsalis pedis flap can be employed in the reconstruction of cutaneotendinous defects of the dorsum of the hand which require the use of three or four tendons grafts. We suggest the use of forearm cutaneotendinous flaps in cases of reconstruction of one or two extensor tendons. The "completely vascularized single-stage reconstruction" avoids prolonged hospitalization and results in a rapid restoration of near-normal function and appearance of the hand.     

足背复合串联皮瓣修复手掌贯通伤

目的　介绍应用足背复合串联皮瓣修复合并组织缺损手掌贯通伤的方法。方法　 2 0 0 1年 1月 -2 0 0 3年 9月 ,对 7例严重手掌贯通伤 ,应用足背串联双叶皮瓣携带趾伸肌腱、跖背皮神经和自体髂骨植骨进行移植修复。结果　皮瓣全部成活 ,经 6个月～ 3年随访 ,手部外形满意 ,皮瓣质地柔软 ,两点分辨觉达 6～ 8mm ,植骨完全愈合 ,手指运动TAM达健侧 75 %。结论　应用足背复合串联皮瓣加植骨 ,可同时修复手掌、背侧皮肤软组织、骨、肌腱和神经的缺损 ,为治疗严重手外伤提供了一种有效 ,简单的手术方法。     

Restoration of thumb abduction damaged by electrical burn using the free dorsalis pedis flap with the extensor hallucis brevis tendon

The treatment of electrical burn injuries in the hand is difficult and challenging because the burn widely and deeply damages not only the skin and subcutaneous tissue, but also tendon, muscle, ligaments, and bone. Compound defects of the skin and abductor pollicis brevis tendon caused by an electrical injury were reconstructed using a free dorsalis pedis flap including the extensor hallucis brevis tendon. This composite flap is also applicable for reconstruction of thumb abduction, although its usefulness has been reported for reconstruction of defects of the dorsal skin of the hand including the extensor tendons.     

Achilles tendon reconstruction after electrical injury with a neurotized cross-leg fillet flap

The authors present a case where a cross-leg fillet flap from an amputated limb allowed reconstruction of the contralateral disrupted Achilles tendon and provided neurotized soft tissue. Achilles tendon reconstruction of the left leg was achieved by utilizing vascularized extensor tendons from the dorsum of the right foot based on the dorsalis pedis circulation. Neurotization was accomplished end to side between a cutaneous nerve from the dorsum of the foot and the recipient sural nerve. Healing was complete and without complication. Cross-leg flaps including tendon and nerve may be used to reconstruct complex lower-extremity injuries, even when free flaps are not feasible.     

Extensor digitorum brevis rotational muscle flap for lower leg and ankle coverage

BACKGROUND: Soft tissue reconstruction around the ankle has been a challenging problem. This article reports our experience using the extensor digitorum brevis muscle flap; some technical variations are discussed. METHODS: The extensor digitorum brevis muscle flap is vascularized by the well-defined lateral tarsal artery, a branch of the dorsalis pedis artery originating at the level of the inferior extensor retinaculum. This flap was used for coverage of soft tissue defects in the lower leg and the ankle in 10 patients with various injuries. RESULTS: All flaps survived completely. Complications included delayed healing of donor skin in two cases. Flap elevation was possible even in the traumatized donor foot. CONCLUSION: The advantages of this flap include constant and reliable blood supply, easy and rapid flap dissection, adequate bulk, and one-stage procedure. However, disadvantages include the small size of the flap and the sacrifice of the dorsalis pedis artery.     

足趾复合组织游离移植修复手指复合组织缺损

目的 :探讨足趾复合组织移植修复手指复合组织缺损的方法。方法 :采用以下 7种方法治疗病人 2 1例 :带第 1跖背动脉的游离甲瓣、远节趾骨背侧部分趾骨并肌腱止点、背侧关节囊、伸肌腱、背侧皮肤移植修复手指指甲、伸肌腱和神经、皮肤缺损 2例 ;游离第 2足趾携带胫侧固有动脉、神经的近侧趾间关节复合组织 ,移植修复中指远侧指间关节复合组织缺损 ,同时利用第 2足趾中末节及腓侧固有动脉及神经再造环指末节 1例 ;第 2跖趾关节同时携带第 2跖骨、伸趾肌腱与足背皮瓣移植一期修复掌指关节、掌骨、伸肌腱与皮肤复合组织缺损 3例 ;第 1跖背动脉携带第 2足趾甲瓣并伸指肌腱修复拇指指甲、伸肌腱并神经、皮肤缺损 5例 ;第 1跖背动脉携带第 2跖趾关节、趾固有动脉携带第 2足趾近侧趾间关节移植重建两个相邻的掌指关节并皮肤缺损 2例 ;跖趾关节、趾近侧趾间关节复合组织移植 ,分别修复掌指关节或指间关节并复合组织缺损 6例。足背皮瓣、携带第 1跖背动脉的第 2足趾、同侧趾腓侧皮瓣再造全长手指 2例。结果 :应用 2 1例成功 ,随访 6个月～ 5年手指感觉恢复达S3 + ～S4;关节活动度 :掌指关节活动范围 2 0°～ 80° ;近指间关节活动范围 3 0°～ 90° ;远指间关节活动范围 5°～ 3 0°。结论 :带血供足趾复合组     

Free composite dorsalis pedis flap for the reconstruction of the hand

Summary One-stage reconstruction of traumatic loss of metacarpal bones, extensor tendons and skin is a challenging problem for the reconstructive surgeon. The anatomical and functional similarity between the structures of the dorsum of the foot and of the hand, makes the dorsalis pedis composite flap a consideration in reconstruction of compound defects of the hand.     

Application of different types of free foot flaps in hand surgery

From 1987, nine types of free vascularized flaps or combined flaps from the foot were used to treat 26 cases of hand injury with tissue loss. They were: (1) combined flap of 4 toe dorsums, big toe pulp, first toe web, and dorsalis pedis flap with long extensor tendons of the toes, (2) composite skin flap with the second metatarsophalangeal joint, (3) wrap-around flap from the great toe, (4) first toe web flap, (5) toe pulp flap with only an artery and a nerve, (6) wrap-around flap of the great toe with a dorsalis pedis flap, (7) second toe with dorsalis pedis flap, (8) dorsalis pedis flap, and (9) first toe web flap with second metatarsal bone. All flaps survived. All the patients have used their reconstructed hand. Of the final motor functions of the reconstructed hands, 68.8% are excellent, 27.3% are good, 3.9% are fair. Of the final cosmetic results of the reconstructed hands, 76.9% are excellent, 15.3% are good, 7.8% are acceptable. Of the patients, 64.9% are satisfied with the final results of the donor sites, 31.2% feel it is acceptable, and 3.9% feel it is unsatisfactory. The selection, indication, merits and demerits of vascularized foot flaps and attentive points in the operations are discussed in this paper. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

游离足背皮瓣静脉桥接术修复断掌指

目的 探讨应用游离足背皮瓣修复手背皮肤软组织缺损,同时利用皮瓣浅表静脉桥接断掌指静脉回流的临床疗效.方法 对4例手掌指部离断伴有手背软组织缺损的患者,采用吻合桡动脉的游离足背皮瓣修复,同时利用足背浅表静脉桥接解决断掌、指的静脉回流,皮瓣切取面积为6cm×6 cm～11cm×9cm.其中1例携带第3、4趾趾长肌腱,2例因掌指关节面损伤严重伴缺损行掌指关节融合,2例动脉缺损行静脉移植.结果 4例12指及4块皮瓣全部顺利存活,伤口I期愈合.术后随访3～18个月,平均12个月,所有手指、皮瓣外观良好,无臃肿,皮肤质地、色泽接近正常,温痛觉及触觉恢复;供瓣区、供皮区均无明显瘢痕形成.按中华医学会手外科学会手部功能评定标准评定:优1例,良2例,可1例;优良率为75%.供区无明显并发症发生.结论 应用游离足背皮瓣静脉桥接术是解决断掌,指静脉缺损的一种有效治疗手段.     

The dorsoradial flap: a new flap for hand reconstruction. Anatomical study and clinical applications

The authors report a new cutaneous flap harvested from the dorsal and distal quarter of the forearm: the dorsoradial flap. The vascularisation type of the cutaneous paddle belongs this flap to the anterograde and axial family flaps. The anatomical study carried out on thirty six fresh cadaver upper arms showed a constant and a consistent cutaneous collateral branch of the radial artery which arises at the apex of the first intermetacarpal space. Two anatomical types were recorded according to the origin of the dorsoradial artery: type I (84% of cases), the vessel arises directly from the radial artery; type II (16% of cases), it arises from a common trunk with the first dorsal intermetacarpal artery. Those anatomical findings does not influence the flap operative technique, the flap design and the location of the pedicle pivot point. The dorsoradial artery emerges vertically from the apex of the first intermetacarpal space, crosses the angle between the extensor pollicis longus tendon laterally and the extensor carpi radialis longus tendon medially and turns proximally towards the distal radio-ulnar joint. Over the dorsal aspect of the wrist, the dorsoradial artery enters the subcutaneous tissue, runs parallel to the extensor pollicis longus tendon at three millimeters in a medial position, passes over the medial collateral branch of the superficial radial nerve and irrigates all the distal and dorsal quarter of the forearm. The artery is consistently accompanied by two comitantes veins, which assume the venous drainage of the cutaneous territory. The flap paddle is designed over the distal dorsal forearm quarter, between the dorsal crease of the wrist distally, the ulnar crest medially and the radial crest laterally. All this skin territory can be harvested and supplied by the dorsoradial pedicle, but we always should deal with the needs of the defects reconstruction and the morbidity of the donor site. The vascular pedicle is outlined between the distal radio-ulnar joint and the apex of the first intermetacarpal space with a minimum of one centimeter width. The surgical procedure is carried out under a tourniquet without an upper arm exsanguination. The skin is firstly dissected over the vascular pedicle through an S shape incision; it is lifted on the dermo-hypodermis plan preserving all the superficial venous network with the pedicle. The flap is elevated from proximal to distal including the dorsal forearm fascia. Over the dorsal extensor retinaculum, the dissection is underwent close to it elevating all the subcutaneous tissues. The medial collateral branch of the superficial radial nerve should be identified and respected. At the distal border of the dorsal retinaculum, the extensor pollicis longus and the extensor carpi radialis longus tendons are identified and retracted. The pedicle dissection goes deeper between this two tendons towards the first web space. It takes all the areolar tissue around the pedicle in order to preserve the venous network of the cutaneous paddle. The donor site is closed primarily if the skin width does not exceed 3 cm or grafted secondarily. Its large rotational arc allows the cutaneous paddle to cover the dorsal hand and metacarpo-phalangeal long fingers defects, the dorsal aspect of the thumb and the first intermetacarpal space. It can also safely reach the palmar aspect of the wrist. We report four clinical cases where the dorsoradial flap was successfully applied. This preliminary clinical experience exhibits the vascular network reliability and the operative technique simplicity of this new cutaneous flap. We believe that it should be added to the armamentarium of the reconstructive hand surgeon and considered as a useful tool for soft tissue hand and thumb reconstruction defects.     

One-stage flap repair with vascularised tendon grafts in a dorsal hand injury using the "Chinese" forearm flap

A one-stage flap repair is described for complicated dorsal injuries of the hand involving loss of skin and tendon based on the principle of the "Chinese" radial artery forearm flap in which vascularised tendons are transferred to reconstruct the missing extensor tendons.     

Substitution of soft tissue defects of septic origin on the back of the hand by transplantation of a free composite flap]

Authors report on substitution of severe skin and extensor tendon defect on the back of the hand, developed after a II. grade open septic metacarpal fracture. For the covering of the defect of the soft tissue the paratenon--tendon--skin free flap unit was used, supplied by the a. dorsalis pedis. In one operation the skin in full thickness and the extensor tendons could be substituted at the same time the suppuration was eliminated and the pseudarthroses stabilized with lamellar osteosynthesis.     

伴有手部皮肤缺损的急诊拇指和手指再造

目的 报道伴有手部皮肤缺损的急诊拇指和手指再造的手术方法及临床疗效.方法 急诊对11例伴有手部皮肤缺损的拇、手指缺损伤患者,采用双足带足背皮瓣的趾甲皮瓣或足第二趾组合移植进行修复,其中应用带足背皮瓣的(足母)甲瓣组合带足背皮瓣的第二趾甲皮瓣5例;应用带足背皮瓣的(足母)甲瓣组合带足背皮瓣的第二趾3例;应用双足带足背皮瓣的第二趾组合修复3例.其中1例再造3个手指,10例再造2个手指.5例采用同蒂多叶皮瓣的趾甲皮瓣或第二趾移植修复,6例采用带足背皮瓣的趾甲皮瓣或第二趾移植修复.结果 除1例再造3个手指者1指坏死外,其余组织瓣及再造手指均成活.术后伤13均一期愈合.随访5～24个月,修复后的手指基本恢复了抓、捏、握的功能,手部外形得到了一定的恢复,再造指及皮瓣的感觉恢复S2～S4.足部供区愈合较满意,无明显的瘢痕挛缩,不影响足部行走功能.结论 急诊采用双足带足背皮瓣的趾甲皮瓣,或第二趾组合移植修复伴有手部皮肤缺损的拇、手指缺损伤,可以恢复伤手一定的功能外形,是一种有效的治疗方法.     

The relationship between the deep fibular nerve and the dorsalis pedis artery and its surgical importance

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the relationship between the deep fibular nerve and the dorsalis pedis artery to provide useful anatomical knowledge for safe surgical approaches in plastic surgery. The dissection of 30 cadaver lower limbs was undertaken to describe the relationship of the deep fibular nerve to the dorsalis pedis artery in the anterior tarsal tunnel and on the dorsum of the foot. The anterior tarsal tunnel is a flattened space between the inferior extensor retinaculum and the fascia overlying the talus and navicular. The deep fibular nerve and its branches pass longitudinally through this fibro-osseous tunnel, deep to the tendons of the extensor hallucis longus and extensor digitorum longus. Four distinct relationships of the deep fibular nerve to the dorsalis pedis artery were determined. The dorsalis pedis neurovascular island flap contains both the dorsalis pedis artery and the deep fibular nerve. Because the design of a neurovascular free flap requires detailed knowledge of the nerve and vascular supply, the data presented here are intended to help surgeons during surgical approaches to the foot and ankle.     

The conjoint extensor digitorum brevis muscle and dorsalis pedis osteocutaneous island flap

The privileged donor site of the foot is a well-recognized warehouse for spare parts particularly adaptable for composite tissue replacement of hand defects. Simultaneous microsurgical transfer of many of these parts is frequently performed. The ability to transfer these components on a common vascular leash as distinct yet dependent entities is another variation of this theme that enhances its flexibility. The extensor digitorum brevis muscle island and separate vascularized second metatarsal osteocutaneous flap represent one of many possible technical combinations of conjoined flaps based on the dorsalis pedis source vessel. The muscle portion of this flap provides any necessary soft tissue coverage. Sufficient dorsal foot skin is spared to allow primary closure of the foot, thereby minimizing morbidity in this notoriously difficult donor site.     

小腿前踝上-足背部串联皮瓣移植修复手部软组织缺损

目的　探讨小腿前踝上 足背部串联皮瓣移植 ,修复手部软组织缺损的手术方法。方法　在解剖学基础上 ,设计以胫前 足背动脉为蒂的小腿前踝上 足背串联皮瓣移植修复手掌、背和手指软组织缺损 8例。结果　 8例皮瓣全部成活 ,供区植皮Ⅰ期愈合。术后 4～ 8个月随访 ,移植皮瓣无明显臃肿 ,皮瓣质地、色泽良好 ,厚度适中。 4例修复神经的移植皮瓣 ,两点分辨觉达 6mm～ 10mm。另 4例皮瓣恢复了实体感觉。结论　应用以胫前 足背动脉为血管蒂的小腿前踝上 足背部串联皮瓣移植 ,血供可靠 ,手术简便、实用 ,是修复手掌、背和手指软组织缺损的良好供区。     

足部皮瓣治疗多指指背复合组织缺损

目的 介绍足部皮瓣治疗多指指背复合组织缺损的临床应用.方法 临床应用7例19指,均为2～4指指背复合组织缺损伤,并伴有伸肌腱缺损及指骨或指间关节外露,并指后指背创面大小为5.0 cm×1.5 cm～9.0 cm×2.5 cm.以(足母)趾腓侧、跖侧界线及第一、二跖骨间隙为轴线设计皮瓣,形状同并指后指背创面,面积稍大.皮瓣切取时携带大隐静脉、趾背静脉和第一跖背、跖底动脉及神经,分别与相应患指指背静脉及指固有动脉、神经吻合.保留趾短或趾长伸肌腱于皮瓣内,以修复指背缺失的伸肌腱.结果 术后皮瓣全部存活,皮瓣质地及外形好,皮瓣两点分辨觉为6～8mm.患指伸指功能得到重建,主、被动屈伸活动恢复满意.足部供区瘢痕轻微,功能良好,外形美观.结论 足背、趾蹼及(足母)趾腓侧复合皮瓣是治疗多指指背复合组织缺损较好的方案之一.     

The versatility of the dorsalis pedis compound free flap in hand reconstruction

The dorsalis pedis flap has demonstrated considerable versatility in the reconstruction of composite soft-tissue defects of the hand. It has the potential benefit of being thin and pliable, having reliable vascularity, and being relatively easy to harvest. However, the flap has been plagued by questions of its reliability and concerns over the donor site. An institutional review of dorsalis pedis free flap (DPFF) reconstructions of the hand was performed for the interval 1996-2006. A modified Hallock classification scheme was used to stratify the flaps. A total of 20 DPFF reconstructions of the hand were identified. There were 14 male and 6 female patients aged 20 to 53 years. The ensuing defects included secondary web contracture as well as primary amputations and exposed bony and tendinous structures. The flaps ranged in size from 15 cm2 to 110 cm2. Flap survival was 100% except one partial flap necrosis treated with a secondary skin graft. Partial donor skin graft loss was noted in 5 patients and 3 of them required a secondary resurfacing of the donor site. Functional data on 6 of 7 patients with web space contracture reconstruction showed improvements. DPFF provides durable reconstruction for composite soft-tissue defects of the hand without unduly sacrificing function or form. Donor site complications in our series were minor.     

The compound dorsal metacarpal artery tendofasciocutaneous flap: an attractive reconstructive tool for complex digital defects

Different modifications of flaps based on the dorsal metacarpal arterial system have been reported as reliable tools for reconstruction of dorsal and palmar phalangeal soft tissue defects. For simultaneous reconstruction of the extensor aponeurosis and joint in complex injuries of the dorsal index, we used a distally based pedicled fasciotendocutaneus second dorsal metacarpal flap, including the complete vascularized extensor indicis tendon in 2 cases. Clinical results of this procedure have not been reported so far.     

带血管肌腱移植的临床应用综述

目的 明确带血管肌腱移植的适应证,评价现有各供区的优缺点。方法 回顾近年来,带血管肌腱移植的实验研究和临床应用,总结包括带足背早上趾肌腱和带桡动脉掌长肌腱等现有各供区的解剖特点和临床用途。结果 带血管肌腱移植适用于血运条件较差的受植床,具有愈合快,粘;宫轻的优点,但现有各供腱均有供区损伤较大的缺点。结论 带血管肌腱移植的应用前景取决于探索新供区。