Objective To study the improved index finger dorsal island flap for primary repair of thumb tip injury. Methods Between January 2009 and February 2010, 23 patients with thumb tip injury were treated. There were 17 males and 6 females, aged 21-47 years (mean, 27.5 years). The causes of injury were mechanical injury in 18 cases and heavy crushing injury in 5 cases. The time from injury to operation was 2.5-5.0 hours (mean, 3.5 hours). The defect locations included ulnar palmar defect in 5 cases, dorsal foot defect in 6 cases, radial palmar defect in 8 cases, and radial dorsal defect in 4 cases. All patients complicated by exposure of the thumb distal phalanx. The wound area varied from 2.1 cm × 1.8 cm to 2.8 cm × 2.5 cm. According to distal soft tissue defect of thumb, a modified index finger dorsal island flap was designed, key point of which was moved forward, and defects were repaired with the flaps. The size of flap was 2.3 cm × 2.0 cm to 3.0 cm × 2.7 cm. The donor sites were repaired with skin graft. Results All the flaps and grafts survived after operation and the wounds healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 6-12 months with an average of 6.4 months. The appearance and texture of the flaps were excellent. At last follow-up, the sensation of the flaps recovered to S3+ in 18 cases, to S3 in 2 cases, and to S2 in 3 cases. The two-point discrimination was 3-4 mm. Thumb opposition function was normal without contracture at the first web space. The skin graft at the donor site survived completely, and the metacarpophalangeal joint at donor site had the flexion and extension function. Conclusion Using a modified index finger dorsal island flap for primary repair thumb tip injury is a simple operation, which has good blood supply and high survival rate. When the pedicle flap rotation point is moved forward 10 mm or more, it can meet the needs of repairing thumb tip defect.
In search of a new method for treating venous crisis after replantation of the finger, the effect of instantaneous, quick and forceful squeezing on the belly of replanted finger (the so-called SQUEEZINGG TECHNIQUE) was studied. In the animal experiment, 20 SD rats were used. The femoral veins and arteries were separated in order to measure the venous pressure. The result showed that the venous pressure was (8.33 +/- 1.29) x 10(-2) kPa in normal condition, (20.61 +/- 2.34) x 10(-2) kPa in the condition simulating venous crisis and (73.9 +/- 5.74) x 10(-2) kPa on carrying out the squeezing technique. The second part of the experiment was performed on ten human fingers which were amputated because of trauma or other diseases. One of the arteriae digitales palmares propriae and two of its accompanied veins were disected, and all other blood vessels were ligated. The artery was irrigated with normal saline at a pressure of 12 kPa. When both veins were left open, the venous pressure was (1.32 +/- 0.17) kPa; (4.29 +/- 0.49) kPa, when both were ligated; and (16.88 +/- 5.25) kPa when the squeezing technique was applied at the time venous crisis developed. From May 1991 to May 1996, this method was used for 43 times in 25 cases (35 fingers) with venous crisis after replantation. It was successful for 39 times in 21 cases (30 fingers). It was very important that the performer should use the thumb and the index finger to squeeze just the belly of the involved finger, and that every squeeze should be forceful, quick and instantaneous. It was suggested that if this method was properly performed it could improve the survival rate of replanted fingers. The mechanism of squeezing technique in the treatment of venous crisis following replantation of finger was proposed.
Objective To examine the effect of zinc finger protein A20 on regeneration of small-for-sized liver allograft, graft rejection and recipient rat survival time. Methods Small-for-sized liver transplantation with 30% partial liver allograft was performed by using a b-rejection combination rat model of DA (RT1a) to Lewis (RT1l) rats. The rats were grouped into rAdEasy-A20 treatment group （A20 group）, the control empty Ad vector rAdEasy treatment group (rAdEasy group) and PS control treatment group (PS group). Ex vivo gene transfer in donor liver graft was performed through portal vein infusion. Animals were assessed for survival days, expression of A20 in liver graft, liver graft regeneration, hepatocyte apoptosis, graft rejection, NF-κB activation and ICAM-1 mRNA expression in liver graft sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs), number of liver graft infiltrating mononuclear cells (LIMCs) and the subproportion of NK/NKT cells, and serum IFN-γ level. Results Survival day of A20 group rats was prominently longer than that of PS group rats and rAdEasy group rats (P=0.001 8), whereas survival day of rAdEasy group rats was remarkably shorter than that of PS group rats (P=0.001 8). Regeneration of the small-for-sized liver allograft was markedly augmented by A20, BrdU labelling index of hepatocyte on postoperative day 4 was significantly increased in the A20 group compared with the PS group and rAdEasy group (P＜0.01). Hepatocyte apoptosis on postoperative day 4 was significantly inhibited by A20 (P＜0.01). On postoperative day 4, histologic examination revealed a mild rejection in the A20 group but a more severe rejection in the PS and rAdEasy groups. NF-κB activity and ICAM-1 mRNA expression in LSECs on postoperative day 1 were notably suppressed by A20 overexpression. Flow cytometry analysis showed a marked downregulation of LIMCs number by A20, including more prominent decrease in the subproportion of NK/NKT cells on postoperative day 1 and 4, respectively (P＜0.05). Serum IFN-γ level on postoperative day 4 was also significantly suppressed by A20 overexpression (P＜0.05). Conclusion These data suggest that A20 could effectively promote small-for-sized liver allograft regeneration, suppresses rejection and prolong survival days of recipient rats. These effects of A20 could be related to an inhibition of LSECs activation, suppression of infiltration of LIMCs and the subpopulations such as NK cells and NKT cells into liver graft, and inhibition of hepatocyte apoptosis.
ObjectiveTo discuss the effectiveness of using dorsal two wing-shaped advancement flap to reconstruct finger web for treatment of congenital syndactyly.MethodsBetween August 2014 and August 2017, 30 cases of congenital syndactyly were treated, including 18 males and 12 females with an average age of 2.5 years (range, 1.5-5 years). Eight cases were of bilateral hands syndactyly and 22 cases of single hand syndactyly. There were 39 webs of syndactyly (including 1 case of syndactyly of middle finger, ring finger, and little finger). Among them, 11 webs were complete and 28 webs were incomplete. At the dorsum, a flap with V-shaped tip and two wing-shaped pedicle was designed and was just sewed up with an anchor-shaped incision at the palm. Distal end of fingers were separated by serrated flap and were sutured after removal of fatty tissue. In 11 cases with tight skin connection, the defect area at lateral and distal end of fingers was repaired by small pieces of full-thickness skin graft.ResultsAll the flaps survived completely after operation, and no flap necrosis occurred. The skin grafts on the distal side of the finger survived and the wound healed by first intension. All 30 cases were followed up 6-12 months, with an average of 9 months. Postoperative flexion and extension function of fingers were good, and the web depth and width were normal. At last follow-up, according to the Swanson et al. standard, 20 fingers were graded as excellent, 8 as good, and 2 as fair, with an excellent and good rate of 93.3%.ConclusionThe effectiveness of using dorsal two wing-shaped advancement flap to reconstruction finger web for treatment of congenital syndactyly is satisfactory.
Early detection of vascular function plays an important role in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). This paper reports the main studies of the effectiveness of fingertip temperature curve in digital thermal monitoring (DTM) for predicting CVDs, as well as the relationship between parameters from DTM and pulse wave velocity (PWV) detection. A total of 112 subjects [age (42.18±12.28) years, 50% male, 37 with known CVDs] underwent DTM and PWV detection. Results showed that most of parameters related to CVDs were from the declining stage of the digital thermal signal. Binary Logistic regression models were built, and the best one was chosen by ten-fold validation to predict CVDs. Consistency was great between the detection result of PWV and that of the Logistic model of DTM parameters. Parameters from DTM also contained information for early detecting of vascular stiffness. This study indicates that the fingertip temperature curve in DTM has a potential application for predication of CVDs, and it would be used to access vascular function in the initial stage of CVDs.
Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of V-Y advancement flap pedicled with dorsal cutaneous branch of digital artery for skin defect at the same dorsal finger. Methods Between January 2008 and February 2010, 15 cases of skin defect at the same dorsal finger were treated. There were 9 males and 6 females, aged 15-72 years (mean, 43 years). Defect was caused by saw machine in 6 cases, machines crush in 7 cases, and cutting nodule in 2 cases. The locationswere distal dorsal finger in 2 cases, middle dorsal finger in 6 cases, and proximal dorsal finger in 7 cases. All cases compl icated by exposure of tendon and bone. The size of defect ranged from 0.8 cm × 0.5 cm to 1.4 cm × 1.0 cm. The interval between injury and operation was 3-8 hours. All fingers were treated by V-Y advancement flap from the dorsal cutaneous branch of digital artery, which size was 1.2 cm × 0.8 cm-2.5 cm × 1.0 cm, and the donor site was directly sutured. Fracture reductionand Kirschner wire for internal fixation were performed in the patients with fracture; extensor tendon was repaired with 4-0 thread in the patients with tendon injury. Results All flaps survived completely. The incisions of donor and recipient sites healed by first intention. Ten cases were followed up 6 months to 2 years after operation. The flaps had good texture, color, and appearance; 2-point discrimination of the V-Y flap was 10-12 mm. X-ray examination showed that all finger fractures healedsuccessfully in 5 cases, with an average bone union time of 6 weeks (range, 5-8 weeks). According to the criteria for function assessment by total active motion, the results were excellent in 8 cases, good in 1, and fair in 1 with an excellent and good rate of 90%. Conclusion It is an ideal method to treat skin defect at the same dorsal finger with V-Y advancement flap pedicled with dorsal cutaneous branch of digital artery.
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.
OBJECTIVE In order to solve the difficult problem of one-stage repair of degloving injury of multiple fingers, the common pedicled ilio-inguinal-hypogastric subdermal vascular network skin flap was designed and the multi-lobes skin flap was performed subsequently. METHODS From 1993 to 1996, there were 5 cases with degloving injuries of multiple fingers were treated by this flap. There were 2 males and 3 females and the age ranged from 7 to 19 years old. RESULTS After operation, the pedicles of the flap was detached between 12 to 16 days and all of the flaps survived completely. Patients were followed up for 6-18 months. After repair, the contour and skin colour of the digits were excellent, and the motion of the interphalangeal joints and skin sensation were good. CONCLUSION The conclusion was as follows: The newly designed skin flap was characterized by the advantages of duration of treatment being short, excellent contour and more rapid recovery of function. It could be used for one-stage repair of degloving injury of multiple fingers.
Objective To compare differences in the cl inical outcomes between percutaneous pinning with plaster spl int and open reduction and pull ing out wire in the treatment of mallet fingers. Methods From December 2002 to September 2007, 72 patients with mallet fingers were treated. They were divided into two groups: group A and group B. In group A, 38 patients were treated by open reduction and pull ing out wire, 34 males and 4 females, aged (26.0 ± 8.5) years. Among them, 2 patients were injured in the index finger, 11 in the middle finger, 18 in the ring finger and 7 in the l ittle finger. Thirtythreepatients suffered from sports injuries, 5 from fall ing wounds. The average time between the injury and the surgery was(6.1 ± 3.1) days. In group B, 34 patients were treated by percutaneous pinning with plaster spl int, 26 males and 8 females, aged (28.1 ± 10.7) years. Among them, 1 patient was injured in the index finger, 9 in the middle finger, 15 in the ring finger and 9 in the l ittle finger. Thirty-one patients suffered from sports injuries, 3 from fall ing wounds. The average time between the injury and the surgery was (6.3 ± 3.6) days. All the fingers had typical mallet malformation, and X-ray films showed avulsed fractures of distal-segment phalanxes at the dorsal basilar part. Results The operation time was (61.8 ± 12.8) minutes in group A and (7.0 ± 2.6) minutes in group B. All patients in both groups were followed up for 6-24 months (11.9 months on average in group A and 13.2 months in group B). In group A, apart from 3 patients who had flap necrosis and infection, all the other patients obtained heal ing by first intention. One patient had palmar skin ulcer at 6 days after the operation and healed after proper treatment. Thirty-six patients gained bone union at (47.6 ± 8.7) days postoperatively and 2 patients had pseudarthrosis, which improved after reconstruction of the extensor tendon attachment point. According to the total active movement (TAM) functional assessment system, 10 cases were e cellent, 18 good, 8 fair and 2 poor, with the choiceness rate of 73.7%. In group B, all incisions obtained heal ing by first intention without pin-track infection, flap necrosis and migration of the pins and gained bone union at (27.7 ± 3.9) days after the operation. According to the TAM functional assessment system, 19 cases were excellent, 13 good and 2 fair, with the choiceness rate of 94.1%. There were significant differences between the two groups in operation time, compl ications, heal ing time and choiceness rate (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion Percutaneous pinning with plaster spl int is simple in operation and has smaller incisions and fewer compl ications compared with open reduction and pull ing out wire, andproves to be a useful way in the treatment of mallet fingers.
Objective To evaluate the clinical results of mallet finger accompanied by avulsional fracture treated with Ishiguro method. Methods Twenty-seven patients suffering from mallet finger accompanied by avulsional fracture weretreated with Ishiguro method or its modified method. During the operation, a blocking pin was inserted percutaneously with DIP flexed, then the DIP was fixed at a position of full extension with another Kirschner wire. When the fracture fragment was big with rotation displacement, a third Kirschner wire could be used to correct the displacement and fix fracture. Results The patients were followed up 2 months to 6 years and 6 months with an average of 9.3 months postoperatively. Andthe clinical results were evaluated with the modified Crawford’s criteria, including DIP pain, range of motion and pinch power. The rate of bone union was 100%. The results were excellent in 7 patients, good in 11 patients, moderate in 8 patients and poor in 1 patient. After operation, the range of flexion was 54.19°±14.45° , while the range of extension was －4.96°±9.27°. The X-ray sign of slight osteoarthritis could be seen in one patient. [WTHZ]Conclusion Ishiguro method is simple, effective and less invasive. It is suitable for treatment of mallet finger accompanied by avulsional fracture.