Since 1985, 76 pedicled island flaps had been used for primary repair of skin defect of thumb and 62 flaps for reconstruction of thumb. Fifteen thumbs were reconstructed by 29 pedicled island flaps in which 14 from dorsum of middle phalanx of index and middle fingers, 12 reversed island flaps from forearm and 3 from dorsum of proximal phalanx of index fingers. Eight degloved injuries of thumbs were repaired by 8 reversed island flaps from forearm. Thirty-nine skin defects of thumbs were treated by pedicled island flaps in which 16 from dorsum of proximal phalanx of indcx finger and 23 from dorsum ofmiddle phalanx of index and middle fingers.
Objective To investigate the effectiveness of transferring the ulnaris proper digital nerve of index finger and its dorsal branch to repair the thumb nerve avulsion. Methods Between January 2007 and May 2015, 23 patients with thumb nerve avulsion were treated by transferring the ulnaris proper digital nerve of index finger and its dorsal branch. There were 17 males and 6 females with an average age of 32 years (range, 16-63 years). The injuries were caused by machine twist in 10 cases, electric saw in 8 cases, and sharp article prick in 5 cases. And thumb rotational avulsion amputation happened in 8 cases, thumb incomplete amputation in 2 cases, laceration of thumb palmaris with the thumb nerve avulsion of both sides in 13 caese (7 cases with tendon rupture). The time from injury to operation was 1.0-3.5 hours (mean, 2.2 hours). Results All incisions healed by first intention. Ten cases of thumb reimplantation were successful. All the patients were followed up for 5 months to 2 years and 8 months, with an average of 1 year and 4 months. Two-point discrimination was 3-9 mm (mean, 6.8 mm). According to Society of Hand Surgery standard for the evaluation of upper part of the function, the sensory of the thumb was rated as S4 in 18 cases and \begin{document}${{\rm{S}}_{\scriptsize{3^ + }}}$\end{document} in 5 cases; the sensory at donor sites recovered to S3. Conclusion Transferring the ulnaris proper digital nerve of index finger and its dorsal branch to repair the thumb nerve avulsion is a simple and effective method to restore sensory function of the thumb pulp.
Objective To investigate the effectiveness of ipsilateral digital proper artery dorsal branch flap to repair mid-phalanx degloving injury with distal segment finger defect. Methods Between February 2013 and July 2016, 11 cases (11 fingers) of mid-phalanx degloving injury with distal segment finger defect were treated. There were 9 males and 2 females with an average age of 33.6 years (range, 18-59 years). The injury caused by twisting in 8 cases and crushing in 3 cases. The injury located at index finger in 3 cases, middle finger in 6 cases, and ring finger in 2 cases. The skin avulsion was from proximal interphalangeal joint in 1 case, proximal 1/4 of mid-phalanx in 6 cases, and 1/2 of mid-phalanx in 4 cases. The area of wounds ranged from 4.0 cm×1.7 cm to 6.2 cm×2.6 cm. The interval between injury and operation was 2.5-6.0 hours (mean, 4.5 hours). All defects were repaired with the ipsilateral digital proper artery dorsal branch flaps. The size of flaps ranged from 4.4 cm×1.9 cm to 7.0 cm×2.9 cm. Nerve anastomose was carried between digital proper nerve dorsal branch in the flap and digital proper nerve stump in the wound. The donor sites were repaired by skin grafting. Results Tension blisters of the flap and partial necrosis occurred in 1 case, and healed after dressing change. The other flaps and skin grafting survived, and wounds healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 6-18 months (mean, 16 months). The texture and appearance of all the flaps were satisfactory. At 6 months after operation, two-point discrimination of flaps ranged from 7 to 10 mm (mean, 8.5 mm). At last follow-up, according to the functional assessment criteria of upper limbs by the Branch of Hand Surgery of Chinese Medicine Association, the results were excellent in 10 cases and good in 1 case, with the excellent and good rate of 100%. Conclusion The ipsilateral digital proper artery dorsal branch flap is a good method to repair mid-phalanx degloving injury with distal segment finger defect for the advantages of simple operation, less damage in donor site, high survival rate of the flap, and good feeling recovery of the finger.