The replantation of amputated finger (or limb) and the reconstruction of the thumb and fingers started in 1960s in China. With the development of microsurgical techniques, both finger replantation and reconstruction achieved worldwide significant success. And now it is not the survival rate but the function of replanted finger that attracted more attention. Moreover, the breakthrough of particular type of digital replantation has broadened its indications. In terms of reconstruction, not only that a great deal of experiences in dealing with different types of thumb defects was accumulated, but also more micro-surgeons focus on minimal invasion and reducing the damage to the donor area.
Objective To review the treatment methods of the extremity skin avulsion, and to point out the problems at present as well as to predict the trend of development in this field. Methods Domestic and abroad l iterature concerning the treatment methods of the extremity skin avulsion in recent years was extensively and thoroughly analyzed. Results The timely and accurate evaluation of viabil ity and blood circulation of avulsed skin was the key to treat extremity skin avulsion. At present, there were many methods to treat extremity skin avulsion and the vacuum seal ing drainage (VSD) technology played an important role in the treatment of skin avulsion. Artificial skin had been used to treat skin avulsion. Conclusion The conventional method to treat skin avulsion is rigorous debridement, defatting of the avulsed flap, planting back avulsed skin flap. The combined use of the VSD technology helps skin avulsion treatment. It may be a trend that artificial skin will be used in treating extremity avulsion.
Objective To investigate the causes of the vacuum seal ing drainage (VSD) compl ications during treatment of extremity wounds. Methods Between February 2005 and February 2010, 174 patients with skin and soft tissue defect of extremities were treated with VSD. Among them, 12 patients (6.9%) had compl ications and the cl inical data were analyzed retrospectively. There were 7 males and 5 females aged from 17 to 65 years (mean, 36.1 years). Injury was caused bytraffic accident in 8 cases, and by machine extrusion in 4 cases. The locations were forearm in 3 cases, upper arm in 2 cases, thigh and calf in 1 case, calf in 4 cases, and foot in 2 cases. The size of defect ranged from 10 cm × 7 cm to 90 cm × 40 cm. The time from injury to hospital ization was 3-8 hours (mean, 4.2 hours). Results At 1 day postoperatively, moderate to severe anemia and hypokalemia occurred in 6 cases, and the hemoglobin value increased to 100 g/L and the electrolyte disorder was rectified after blood transfusion and fluid infusion. At 2 days, 2 patients had local skin allergic symptoms, and local rash disappeared after oral administration of Clarityne. At 3 days, 2 patients complained pain and the pain was released after the suction pressure was decreased by 50%; 2 patients had infection and received VSD demol ition, debridement and draining, and anti-infection treatment. Tissue necrosis occurred in 1 case at 4 days and pressure ulcer in 1 case at 5 days, VSD was immediately changed and wound was repaired by spl it thickness skin graft or local flap. Conclusion Compl ications associated with VSD therapy for the wounds of the extremities are not very common. Most causes are related to the location of wound, the technique of the operators, and the conditions of the patients.
ObjectiveTo assess the effectiveness of the sural fasciomyocutaneous perforator flap in repair of soft tissue defect in weight-bearing area of the foot. MethodsBetween January 2007 and September 2010, 19 patients with soft tissue defects in the weight-bearing area of the foot were treated with sural fasciomyocutaneous perforator flaps. The etiology was traffic accident in 16 patients and crush injury in 3 patients. The interval of injury and admission was 2 hours to 14 days. The size of defect ranged from 8 cm×6 cm to 26 cm×16 cm; the size of flap ranged from 7 cm×7 cm to 25 cm×12 cm. The donor sites were repaired by free skin graft. The flap survival was observed after operation, and the pain score and sensory recovery at the reci pient site were used to assess the effectiveness. ResultsThe flaps survived with satisfactory aesthetic and functional results in 18 cases. Partial flap necrosis was noted and second healing was achieved after spl it thickness skin grafting in 1 case. One case of delayed ulceration was also noted after 5 weeks, ulceration was successfully cured after wound care and avoidance of weightbearing for 2 weeks. All patients were followed up 9-25 months (mean, 14.1 months). The flaps had good appearance, without bulky pedicle. Superficial sensation and deep sensation were restored in 17 cases (89.4%) and 18 cases (94.7%) respectively at last follow-up. ConclusionSural fasciomyocutaneous perforator flap is a rel iable modality in heel reconstruction, having the advantages of low ulceration rate, good wear resistance, and good sensation recovery.
Objective To review the treatment methods and techniques of ischemia-reperfusion injury of flap. Methods Recent basic research l iterature concerning ischemia-reperfusion injury of flap was reviewed and analyzed in terms of treatment techniques. Results Ischemia-reperfusion injury is one of the leading causes of flap necrosis postoperatively. Interventions against any l ink of the ischemia-reperfusion injury progress could effectively reduce the damageand improve the survival rate of flaps. Conclusion Including production of reactive oxygen species, neutrophil infiltrationetc are thought to be the main mechanisms of ischemia-reperfusion injury. Treatment including medicine administration and physical intervention against any specific l ink of ischemia-reperfusion injury can interfere or block the whole progress, which reduce the damage of ischemia-reperfusion injury and improve the survival rate of animal flap models eventually.
Objective To assess the short-term effect of the mini-invasive surgical method by Achillon in repair of acute achilles tendon rupture. Methods Between December 2009 and February 2010, 11 patients (11 feet) with acute achilles tendon ruptures were treated, including 8 males (8 feet) and 3 females (3 feet) with an average age of 35.4 years (range, 23-58 years). There were 9 cases of jump injury, 1 case of glass cut injury, and 1 case of fall injury. The results of Thompson testwere positive in 11 cases (11 feet). According to the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfootscoring system, the score was 53.19 ± 6.31. MRI indicated that the gap of the acute achilles tendon rupture was 1-5 cm (3.8 cm on average). The interval between injury and operation was 2-7 days (3.6 days on average). An approximately longitudinal 3- 4 cm incision was performed and the ruptured achilles tendon was repaired by use of Achillon. Early rehabil itation was carried out. Results The operation time was 27-58 minutes (38 minutes on average). The hospital ization time were 2-3 days (2.5 days on average). Superficial wound infections occurred in 2 cases, and wound healed after dressing change; orther incision healed by first intention. All the patients were followed up 5-8 months with an average of 6.7 months. No wound problems, sural nerve injuries, or re-ruptures occurred in the other cases. After a 3-month follow-up, all patients were able to return to normal walking. The AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score was 94.32 ± 4.23, showing significant difference when compared with that before operation (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion The technique with Achillon offers patients a safe procedure for repair of acute achilles tendon ruptures and early active rehabil itation can be carried out.
Objective To investigate the operative techniques and cl inical results of the superficial peroneal neurofasciocutaneous flap based on the distal perforating branch of peroneal artery in repairing donor site defect of forefoot. Methods From March 2005 to October 2007, 15 patients (11 males and 4 females, aged 20-45 years with an average of 33.6 years) with finger defects resulting from either machine crush (12 cases) or car accidents (3 cases) were treated, including 12 cases of thumb defect, 2 of II-V finger defect and 1 of all fingers defect. Among them, 6 cases were reconstructed with immediate toe-to-hand free transplantation after injury, and 9 cases were reconstructed at 3-5 months after injury. The donor site soft tissue defects of forefoot were 6 cm × 4 cm-12 cm × 6 cm in size, and the superficial peroneal neruofasciocutaneousflaps ranging from 10 cm × 4 cm to 14 cm × 6 cm were adopted to repair the donor site defects after taking the escending branch of the distal perforating branch of peroneal artery as flap rotation axis. The donor sites in all cases were covered with intermediate spl it thickness skin grafts. Results All flaps survived and all wounds healed by first intention. All reconstructed fingers survived completely except one index finger, which suffered from necrosis. Over the 6-18 months follow-up period (mean 11 months), the texture and appearance of all the flaps were good, with two-point discriminations ranging from 10-13 mm, and all patients had satisfactory recovery of foot function. No obvious discomfort and neuroma were observed in the skin-graft donor sites. The feel ing of all the reconstructed fingers recovered to a certain degree, so did the grabbing function. Conclusion Due to its rel iable blood supply, no sacrifice of vascular trunks, favorable texture and thickness and simple operative procedure, the superficial peroneal neurofasciocutaneous flap based on the distal perforating branch of peroneal artery is effective to repair the donor site defect in forefoot caused by finger reconstruction with free toe-to-hand transplantation.
To investigate the operative technique of treating Freiberg’s disease with dorsal wedge osteotomy and absorbable pin fixation, and to evaluate the cl inical outcome. Methods From June 2005 to June 2007, 8 patients with Freiberg’s disease were treated, including 2 males and 6 females aged 16-66 years old (average 36 years old). X-ray films revealed osteosclerosis, collapse of the metatarsal head and ischemic necrosis of the second metatarsal head. According toSmill ie classification system, there were 4 cases of stage II, 3 of stage III and 1 of stage IV. The duration of symptoms was 6-36 months (average 19 months). After dorsal wedge osteotomy, the metatarsal heads were rotated to reconstrust the joint surface, then 3-4 pieces of absorbable pin 1.5 mm in length were implanted for fixation. Results All wounds healed by first intention, and no early postoperative compl ications occurred. Five patients were followed for 11-35 months (average 14 months) and had significant pain rel ief. At 3 months after operation, the dorsal-flexion of metatarsophalangeal joint was improved by 0-50° (average 21°), and the plantar-flexion was increased by 0-10° (average 5°). X-ray films showed that solid union of the osteotomy was achieved in all patients at 8-13 weeks after operation (average 10 weeks). Average shortening of metatarsal was 1.7 mm (range 1.3-2.0 mm). All patients returned to sports and recreational activities at 4 months after operation, except one case of stage IV who had constant swelling and stiffness in the joint and was improved at 12 months after operation. Conclusion Dorsal wedge osteotomy in complex with absorbable pin fixation is an effective procedure for stage II and III Freiberg’s disease, because it is capable of reconstructing the metatarsophalangeal joint effectively, allowing early joint motion and avoiding a second operation.
Objective To review the diagnosis, treatment method, and surgical technique of tarsometatarsal joint injury. Methods Recent l iterature concerning tarsometatarsal joint injury was reviewed and analyzed in terms of anatomy,injury mechanism, classification, diagnosis, management principle and methods, and surgical techniques. Results It could be difficult to diagnose tarsometatarsal joint injury, and subtle injury was more difficult to diagnose with a high rate of missed diagnosis. Fairly accurate diagnosis of tarsometatarsal joint injury could be made based on medical history, symptoms and signs, and necessary imaging examinations. For the patient of partial l igament rupture caused by subtle or non-displacement injury, a cast for immobil ization could be adopted; the patients of instable injury should be treated with open reduction and internal fixation. For the patients of complete dislocation and severe comminuted fractures, arthrodesis should be suggested. Conclusion The diagnosis and management of tarsometatarsal joint injury is compl icated. The treatment method of tarsometatarsal joint injury has evoked controversy. Surgeons should choose the optimal treatment method and surgical technique according to the injury type, radiological manifestation, and classification so as to obtain the best cl inical outcome.