Abstract The narrow pedicled intercostal cutaneous perforater (np-ICP) thin flaps were successfully used for reconstruction of hand deformity from scar contraction. This flap was designed with a narrow pedicle (3～5cm in width) which included ICPs of 4th～9th intercostal spaces, and with awide distal part (the maximum is 15cm×15cm) which covered the lower chest and upper abdomen. The thickness of flap was cut until the subdermal vascular networkwas observed. The pedicle was divided between the 7th～14th days after operation. Sixteen flaps in 15 cases were transferred for covering of the skin defects at the dorsum of the hand. The perforators which were included in the narrow pediclewere mostly from the 7th intercostal spaces in 9 flaps. Fifteen of the 16 flapswere survived almost completely, except in one case there was necrosis of the distal portion of the flap. It seemed that this flap was more useful than the conventional methods, not only functionally but also aesthetically. Moreover, the operative techinque was more simple and safer than the island or free intercostalflap due to without the necessity to dissect the main trunk of the intercostalneurovascular bundle. Gentle pressure on the thinning portion of the flap for a short time after operation was important.
OBJECTIVE: To provide anatomical bases for dorso-ulnar aspect of mid-hand reverse flap. METHODS: After red latex was infused into the arteries of 40 sides of adult cadava upper limbs, the origin, course, branches, distribution and distal anastomosis on the dorsal carpal branch of ulnar arteries were observed. And the mid-hand flap transfer was used to repair two cases of soft tissue defect (ranged 4.5-5.0 cm x 2.0-3.5 cm on ring and little fingers). RESULTS: The dorsal carpal branch begins with ulnar artery (3.9 +/- 1.2) cm above the pisiform with diameter of (1.3 +/- 0.2) mm, and branches off into ascending and descending branches. The descending one is the continuing of dorsal branch, it crosses the ulnar edge of the fifth metecarpal bone and anastomizes with the digital artery of little finger or hypothenar branch of deep palmar (accounted for 70%). While the other ascending branch with the former two branches formed anastomosis accounts for 30%. The two cases got healed in one-stage. The function of fingers recovered after 3-4 month follow-up. CONCLUSION: The reverse flap of dorso-ulnar aspect of mid-hand is available to repair the soft tissue defect on dorsum of hand with neighbor finger.
Objective To investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of thoracodorsal artery perforator (TDAP) flap for repairing serious scar contracture of the opisthenar. Methods Between March 2015 and June 2017, 7 cases of serious scar contracture of opisthenar were repaired with TDAP flaps. There were 5 males and 2 females with an average age of 31 years (range, 11-48 years). The time from injury to operation was 8-67 months, with an average of 42 months. After the relocation of the joint and release of the scar, the size of soft tissue defect ranged from 5 cm×4 cm to 10 cm×8 cm. The size of TDAP flap ranged from 5.5 cm×5.0 cm to 10.5 cm×9.0 cm. Results All flaps survived completely with primary healing at both donor site and recipient site. The flaps of 3 patients were bulky and underwent second-stage skin flap thinning at 3 months after operation. All 7 patients were followed up 6-32 months, with an average of 15 months. The skin flaps were soft and elastic. According to the upper limb function evaluation system recommended by Chinese Society of Hand Surgery, sensory function was classified as \begin{document}$\small{{\rm{S}}_{{{\scriptsize 3}^ + }}}$\end{document} in 2 cases, \begin{document}$\small{{\rm{S}}_{{{\scriptsize 3} }}}$\end{document} in 1 case, \begin{document}$\small{{\rm{S}}_{{{\scriptsize 2} }}}$\end{document} in 3 cases, and \begin{document}$\small{{\rm{S}}_{{{\scriptsize 1} }}}$\end{document} in 1 case. The hand function was excellent in 2 cases, good in 4 cases, and fair in 1 case. There was no significant effect on shoulder movement. Conclusion The TDAP flap is an ideal method for serious scar contracture of opisthenar.
Objective To explore the method and effectiveness of abdominal expanded subdermal vascular plexus skin flaps in repairing dorsal hand scar. Methods Between May 2005 and October 2010, 16 cases of dorsal hand scars weretreated with the abdominal expanded flaps. There were 13 males and 3 females, aged 22.5 years on average (range, 10-35 years). Defect was caused by burn in 10 cases, hot crush injury in 4 cases, and scald injury in 2 cases. The average scar formation was 21 months (range, 1 year and 6 months to 2 years). The patients had flexion restriction of metacarpophalangeal joint and interphalangeal joint. The scar size ranged from 11 cm × 7 cm to 18 cm × 10 cm. The expander was implanted in abdominal skin and inflated with water regularly at the first stage. After 2 weeks, the expanded pedicled flap was trasferred to repair wounds in which scars were excised. The flap size ranged from 12 cm × 9 cm to 19 cm × 12 cm. After being cut off the pedicle at 14 days, the fingers were divided, and the digital web was formed. The abdominal donor site was directly sutured. Results All flaps survived. The wound and donor site achieved primary heal ing. Sixteen cases were followed up 1 year and 2 months to 3 years with an average of 2 years and 3 months. The flaps had soft texture and good flexibil ity. At last follow-up, hand function was graded as excellent in 13 cases, good in 2 cases, and poor in 1 case with an excellent and good rate of 93.7% according to the total active motion evaluation system. Conclusion Abdominal expanded subdermal vascular plexus skin flap is an effective method to repair large scar of the dorsal hand because it has satisfactory texture, fast rebuilding of blood supply, and large area of survival.
Objective To review the methods and progress on repairing hand injury with dorsal neurocutaneous vascular flap. Methods Recent l iterature on repairing hand injury with dorsal neurocutaneous vascular flap was reviewed and analyzed. Results Island fascial flap was designed on the radial or ulnar side of the dorsum of the hand based on the anatomical study of the dorsum of the hand, and the choice of pedicle depended upon the position of wound. Conclusion Repairing hand injury with dorsal neurocutaneous vascular flap is easy to perform and in l ine with the principle of repairing wounds in proximity. It is one of the effective methods of repairing wounds of the hand.
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of free flaps in repairing hot-crush injury in the dorsum of hand. Methods Between February 2003 and February 2012, 32 cases of hot-crush injuries in the dorsum of hand were repaired. There were 25 males and 7 females with an average age of 24 years (range, 16-45 years). The injury causes included machine crush injury in 9 cases, machine-press injury in 13 cases, and iron panel injury in 10 cases. The time from injury to admission ranged from 90 minutes to 8 hours (mean, 3 hours). The wound size ranged from 6 cm × 5 cm to 17 cm × 11 cm. Associated injuries included the extensor tendon necrosis in 12 cases, and the second metacarpal bone necrosis in 1 case. One-stage emergency debridement was performed in all cases; two-stage flap repair was given at 7-21 days when the necrotic area became determined. The dorsalis pedis flaps were used in 9 cases, the anterolateral thigh flaps in 9 cases, the latissimus dorsi flaps in 3 cases, the thoraco-umbilical flaps in 3 cases, and the lower abdominal flaps in 8 cases. The flap size ranged from 7 cm × 5 cm to 18 cm × 16 cm. The donor site was repaired by skin graft or sutured directly. Results All the flaps survived. Primary healing of wound was obtained in 25 cases and delayed healing in 7 cases. Skin graft at donor site survived, with healing of incision by first intention. Twenty-three cases were followed up 6-25 months (mean, 13 months). Thinning was carried out in 8 bulky flaps; the other flaps had good appearance and texture. At last follow-up, the range of motion (ROM) of the metacarpophalangeal joint ranged from 40 to 80° (mean, 58°); ROM of the proximal interphalangeal joint ranged from 35 to 70° (mean, 52°); and ROM of the distal interphalangeal joint ranged from 5 to 25° (mean, 12°). The sensation recovery of the flaps were more than S2. No scar formed at donor site. Conclusion Suitable free flap should be selected to repair hot-crush injury in the dorsum of hand according to size of wound, which will achieve satisfactory results.
ObjectiveTo discuss the effectiveness of improved interosseous dorsal artery reversed island flap to repair dorsal skin and soft tissue defect of the hand. MethodsBetween March 2009 and September 2012, 29 cases of dorsal skin and soft tissue defects were treated with improved interosseous dorsal artery reversed island flap. Of 29 cases, there were 17 males and 12 females, aged 23-71 years (mean, 47 years); and the left hand was involved in 12 cases and the right hand in 17 cases. There were 11 cases of avulsion injury, 9 cases of crushing injury, 5 cases of strangulation injury, and 2 cases of traffic accident injury; the interval of injury and admission was 1-7 hours (mean, 4 hours). Two patients had scar contracture. The locations of soft tissue defects were dorsal hands in 21 cases, first webs in 5 cases, and dorsal thumb in 3 cases. The size of soft tissue defects ranged from 4 cm×3 cm to 10 cm×8 cm. One-stage repair was performed in 11 cases, and two-stage repair in 18 cases. The size of flaps ranged from 5.5 cm×4.5 cm to 12.0 cm×10.0 cm. The donor sites were sutured directly or repaired by skin grafting. ResultsAll flaps survived, and wounds healed in first stage. And the grafted skins at donor sites all survived, and incisions all healed in first stage. Twenty-six patients were followed up 3 months-3 years (mean, 19.5 months). Bulky flap was observed in 3 cases, and defatted operation was performed after 6 months; the other flaps had good appearance and texture, and wrist function was normal. According to total angle of motion (TAM) systematic evaluation, the results were excellent in 17 cases, good in 6 cases, and fair in 3 cases at 3 months after operation. ConclusionImproved interosseous dorsal artery reversed island flap has the advantages of easy-to-obtain, simple operation, and high survival rate of flaps, so it is an effective method to repair dorsal skin and soft tissue defect of the hand.