Through dissection of 12 fresh finger specimens, the anatomy of the distal part of dorsal aponeurosis and its function was closely observed. A direct reparative procedure of the terminal tendon by using tendon flap graft was deseribed for the treatment of chronic mallet finger deformity. Correction of deformity, restoration of active motion of DIP and avoidance of residual pain were observed in three clinical cases.
ObjectiveTo compare the effectiveness between micro-anchor repair and modified pull-out suture in the treatment of mallet fingers. MethodsBetween June 2010 and March 2011, 33 patients with mallet fingers were treated by micro-anchor repair method (n=18, group A) and by modified pull-out suture method in which the broken tendons were sutured with double metal needle Bunnell’s suture and a knot was tied palmarly (n=15, group B). There was no significant difference in age, gender, and disease duration between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). ResultsThe operation time was (62.5 ± 3.1) minutes in group A and (65.0 ± 4.6) minutes in group B, showing no significant difference (t=1.85, P=0.07). The treatment expense in group A [(8 566.2 ± 135.0) yuan] was significantly higher than that in group B [(5 297.0 ± 183.5) yuan] (t=58.92, P=0.00). Incision infection occurred in 2 cases of group A and 1 case of group B; the other patients obtained healing of incision by first intention. Relapsed mallet finger was observed in 1 case of group B. All patients in 2 groups were followed up 12-21 months. According to the Crawford functional assessment system, the results were excellent in 5 cases, good in 10 cases, fair in 2 cases, and poor in 1 case at the last follow-up with an excellent and good rate of 83.3% in group A; the results were excellent in 4 cases, good in 9 cases, fair in 1 case, and poor in 1 case with an excellent and good rate of 86.7% in group B. There was no significant difference in the excellent and good rate between 2 groups (χ2=0.23, P=0.97). ConclusionBoth micro-anchor repair and modified pull-out suture are simple and effective methods in the treatment of mallet finger. But compared with micro-anchor repair, pull-out suture has lower expense.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate clinical result of reconstructed thumb and finger with a free hallux nail flap(HNF) and frozen-phalanx-joint-tendon-sheath composite tissue allograft in 270 cases. METHODS: The patients were followed up with reexamination in the ambulant clinic, communication, X-ray photography, lab-examination, isotope 99mTc MDP and reoperation. The data were analyzed by statistics or proved by clinical observation, which were followed up for five years in average (ranging from five months to sixteen years). RESULTS: Enveloping the allogeneic finger composite tissue with self-HNF and pieces of phalanx of great toe, it could reconstruct a thumb or finger with good contour and nutrition. The excellent rate of opposition function of the reconstructed thumbs was 71.91%. The sense of the fingers recovered after 3 months to 8 months of operation. Two-point discrimination was 3 mm to 15 mm. The junction between implanted allo-phalanges and auto-phalanges could be hastened by implanted with vascularized autogenous phalanx pieces in the HNF. The isotope 99mTc MDP was used to take X-ray photography in 24 cases for four months to 9 years and seven months, which showed that the blood vessels grew into the allo-phalanges. However, the Charcot’s arthropathy of allogeneic joints and bony absorption still could be seen in some cases. That might be concerned with chronic abrasion of joint or chronic rejection of host to graft. CONCLUSION: The operation is fit for repairing the defect of thumb or finger in any degree. The implanted vascularized self-phalanx pieces can promote bone union, but it can not prevent the allogeneic joints from arthropathy or bone absorption
From April 1984 to March 1994, 31 reconstructive thumbs or fingers were followedup, including 16 cases with free neurovascular big toe nail skin flap and frozen preserved phalanxjointtendon composite allografts as well as 15 cases withfree second toe transfer. The method had the advantage of more fingers could bereconstructed and fewer toes would be lost. The decision of the site of reconstruction of finger, the augmentation of narrow web space between the thumb and the index finger, the prevention and treatment of vascular crisis and the degeneration of allogenic joint were discussed. It had been found that preserving the allogenic finger below -30℃ may lower the immunoreaction of the allogenic tissues. It was emphasized that the viable tissues should be preserved during the emergency debridement, so as to facilitate the following reconstruction procedure.
The applied anatomy and clinical application were described in this paper. The blood supply of this flap was based on the second dorsal metacarpal artery. It gave some advantages of as easy of application, safe and reliable. Since November 1990, we had successfully used six such flaps in covering the soft tissue defects of the hand.
Objective To investigate the effectiveness of dorsal perforator flap of cross-finger proper digital artery in the treatment of finger soft tissue defect caused by high-pressure injection injury. MethodsBetween July 2011 and June 2020, 14 cases of finger soft tissue defect caused by high-pressure injection injury were repaired with dorsal perforator flap of cross-finger proper digital artery. All patients were male, with a mean age of 36 years (range, 22-56 years). The defects were located on the index finger in 8 cases, middle finger in 4 cases, and ring finger in 2 cases. The causes of injury include 8 cases of emulsion paint injection, 4 cases of oil paint injection, and 2 cases of cement injection. The time from injury to debridement was 2-8 hours, with a mean time of 4.5 hours. The soft tissue defects sized from 4.0 cm×1.2 cm to 6.0 cm×2.0 cm. The flaps sized from 4.5 cm×1.5 cm to 6.5 cm×2.5 cm. The donor site of the flap was repaired with skin graft. The pedicle was cut off at 3 weeks after operation, and followed by functional exercise. ResultsAll flaps and skin grafts at donor sites survived, and the wounds healed by first intention. Twelve patients were followed-up 16-38 months (mean, 22.6 months). The texture and appearance of all flaps were satisfactory. The color and texture of the flaps were similar to those of the surrounding tissues. The two-point discrimination of the flap was 10-12 mm, with a mean of 11.5 mm. There were different degrees of cold intolerance at the end of the affected fingers. At last follow-up, the finger function was evaluated according to the Upper Extremity Functional Evaluation Standard set up by Hand Surgery Branch of Chinese Medical Association, 3 cases were excellent, 8 cases were good, and 1 case was poor. Conclusion The dorsal perforator flap of cross-finger proper digital artery can effectively repair finger soft tissue defect caused by high-pressure injection injury. The operation was simple, and the appearance and function of the finger recover well.
OBJECTIVE: To summarize the application of cross-arm skin flaps with lateral antebranchial cutaneous nerve in repair of soft tissue defect. METHODS: From March 1996 to March 2001, 37 cases of soft tissue defect at fingertips were repaired by cross-arm skin flaps with lateral antebranchial cutaneous nerve, 1.5 cm x 1.5 cm to 3.5 cm x 4.0 cm in size. All of the cases were followed up for 3-48 months with routine evaluation of the wound and the function of hands. RESULTS: All of the flaps survived and the wound achieved primary healing. The sensation and shape of hands recovered well. CONCLUSION: It’s a good choice to repair soft tissue defect at fingertips by cross-arm skin flaps with lateral antebranchial cutaneous nerve.
Objective To investigate the effectiveness of the wrap-around great toe flap combined with medial plantar artery perforator flap (MPAP) for repairing the completely degloved fingers. Methods Between February 2018 and December 2019, 12 patients with the completely degloved fingers caused by machine strangulation were admitted. There were 9 males and 3 females with a median age of 32 years (range, 18-42 years). The injured finger was index finger in 7 cases, middle finger in 3 cases, and ring finger in 2 cases. The skin was avulsed from the metacarpophalangeal joint level, with the intact tendon and joint. The interval between injury and admission was 1-8 hours (mean, 5 hours). All fingers were taken debridement during the emergency operation. The size of the skin defect ranged from 8.0 cm×5.0 cm to 12.0 cm×7.5 cm. After flap thinning, the wrap-around great toe flap (8.0 m×2.0 cm-12.0 cm×3.5 cm) and MPAP (8.0 cm×4.0 cm-12.0 cm×5.5 cm) were used to repair the degloved finger. The donor sites were repaired with the full-thickness skin graft or the flap. Results All flaps and skin grafts survived completely without significant complications and the wounds at recipient and donor sites healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 12-16 months (mean, 14 months). The texture, appearance, and color of the affected fingers were close to those of normal fingers, and the nails grew normally. At last follow-up, the mean two-point discrimination of the flap was 9 mm (range, 8-10 mm), and the sensation of the injured finger recovered to S3-S4. And 10 cases were rated as excellent and 2 cases as good according to the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ). There was no complication such as pain from walking or skin ulceration at the donor site. The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score was excellent in 9 cases and good in 3 cases. Conclusion Treating for the completely degloved fingers, the wrap-around great toe flap combined with MPAP can obtain good effectiveness in the respect of the sensation, function, and appearance.
Objective To approach a new procedure of microsurgery to repair thumb fingertip amputation with forward homodigital ulnaris artery flap coverage for bone and nail bed graft. Methods From March 2005 to October 2007, 6 cases of amputated thumb fingertip (6 fingers) were treated, including 4 males and 2 females and aging 23-63 years. Six patients’ (3 crush injuries, 2 cut injuries and 1 other injury) amputated level was at nail root (2 cases), mid-nail (3 cases), and the distalone third of nai bed (1 case). The time from injury to surgery was 3-10 hours, they were treated with forward homodigital ulnaris artery flap coverage for bone and nail bed graft. The flaps size ranged from 1.5 cm × 1.4 cm to 2.0 cm × 1.4 cm. Results All flaps survived. Wound healed in one-stage in 5 cases, and healed in second stage in 1 case because of swell ing. All skin grafting at donor site survived in one-stage. All patients were followed up for 6-8 months. The appearance of flaps were good, and the two-point discrimination was 5-6 mm. Bone graft were healed, the heal ing time was 4-5 weeks. All finger nails were smooth and flat without pain. Conclusion When there was no indication of replantation in thumb fingertip amputation, establ ishing the functional and esthetic construction can be retained with forward homodigital ulnaris artery flap coverage for bone and nail bed graf
Objective To find a new specific marker that can be used to early diagnose hepatic fibrosis by detecting the change of serum protein in patients with hepatic fibrosis. Methods This research adopted 50 SD rats (25 males and 25 females), and from which 6 rats were selected randomly (3 males and 3 females) as control group, last 44 rates were divided into four groups according to four pathological stages as hepatic fibrosis model group (experimental group). Distinct proteins in serum were detected by surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization-time of flight-mass spectra (SELDI-TOF-MS). Radioimmunoassay was used to measure four parameters of hepatic fibrosis which were hyaluronidase (HA), precollagen Ⅲ (PCⅢ), laminin (LN) and collagen Ⅳ (Ⅳ-C). Results Distinct proteins in serum were detected in 8 cases of stage Ⅰ of hapatic fibrosis, 5 cases of stage Ⅱ, 5 cases of stage Ⅲ, 6 cases of stage Ⅳ, and 5 cases of control by SELDI-TOF-MS. Three protein peaks were found (M/Z: 4 203, 4 658, and 7 400). The peaks of M/Z 4 658 and 4 700 proteins were obviously increased in the stage Ⅰ of hepatic fibrosis （Plt;0.05）, while the changes of hepatic fibrosis four parameters appeared in stage Ⅳ of hepatic fibrosis. Conclusion This method shows great potential for early diagnosing of hepatic fibrosis and finding better biomarkers to hepatic fibrosis.