Objective To investigate new classification and repair methods for the traverse amputated fingertip. Methods From March 2000 to October 2006, 20 cases of 20 fingers with traverse amputated fingertip, including 13 males and 7 females aged 17-47 years, were treated. Twenty patients (9 crush injuries, 5 cutting injuries and 6 sawing injuries) were classified into 4 types, namely type I (the distal one third of nail bed), type II (the middle of nail bed), type III (the poximal one third of nail bed), and type IV (the root of nail bed). There were 3 patients (2 index fingers and 1 l ittle finger) of type I, 8 patients (2 thumbs, 3 index fingers and 3 middle fingers) of type II, 5 patients (3 index fingers, 1 ring finger and 1 l ittle finger)of type III, and 4 patients (2 thumbs, 1 middle finger and 1 l ittle finger) of type IV. The soft tissue defect ranged from 1.2 cm × 1.2 cm to 1.5 cm × 1.2 cm. The time from injury to surgery was 3-10 hours. Fingers of type I and type II were treated with forward flow axial flap and modified nail bed lengthening. Fingers of type III and type IV were treated with forward flow axial flap and partial nail bed replantation as well as modified nail bed lengthening. The flaps ranged in size from 1.5 cm × 1.2 cm to 2.0 cm × 1.4 cm. Results Twenty patients incisions healed by first intention and the flaps, nails and skin grafting survived. All donor sites healed by first intention. All patients were followed up for 2-6 months (4 months on average). The appearances of fingertips were good. The texture of the flap was soft, and the fingers had no tenderness and motor disturbance. The two-point discrimination was 4.5-6.5 mm.The finger nails of type I and type II extended 3-4 mm after operation, while the finger nails of type III and type IV extended 8-10 mm after operation. All finger nails were smooth and flat without pain. Hook nail happened in 1 case 6 months after operation. Conclusion Classification of the injured fingers according to the condition of the amputation base is helpful in choosing repair methods, and is conducive to maximize the recovery of the function and shape of fingertips.
Objective To investigate the cl inical effect and operative method of local island flap for complex thumb mutilation with soft tissue and blood vessel defect. Methods From May 2003 to March 2006, 6 cases of complex thumb mutilation with soft tissue and blood vessel defect were treated with local island flap. There were 4 males and 2 females aged 14-48 years, with an average of 23.5 years, among whom 2 cases were caused by triangular bandage twist, 3 cases by machinesavulsion and 1 case by explosion. Five cases suffered thumb mutilation of soft and blood vessel defect only, and 1 case was combined with middle and ring finger injures. The defect was located in pulp soft tissue in 4 cases and in dorsal soft tissue in 2 cases, ranging 2.0 cm × 1.2 cm-2.5 cm × 1.8 cm in size. The time from injury to operation varied from 30 minutes to 6 hours. Two cases were replanted with bridging index finger radial is digital artery island, 2 cases were repaired by ring finger radial is digital artery island and 2 cases by index finger near dorsi-flap. The flap was 2.0 cm × 1.4 cm-2.5 cm × 1.8 cm in size. Free-skin graft from forearm was conducted. Results All flaps free skin and replanted thumbs in 6 cases survived completely, following up for 6-24 months after operation. The flaps and thumb had good texture and color match, two-point discrimination was 10-12 mm on thumb pulp and 8-10 mm on flap. All replanted thumb recovered satisfied function, there were no donor site dysfunction. According to the criteria for function assessment of amputated finger issued by the Branch of Hand Surgery of Chinese Medicine Association:4 cases were regarded as excellent and 2 as good. Conclusion Local island flap is capable of repairing complex thumb mutilation with soft tissue and blood vessel defect, maximizing the recovery of thumb appearance and function.
ObjectiveTo investigate the causes of spontaneous osteogenesis of Masquelet technique induced membrane. MethodsForty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats aged 7-9 weeks were selected to establish a critical-sized bone defect of the right middle femur model. Then the rats were randomly divided into 4 groups, with 12 rats in groups A-C and 6 rats in group D. The bone defects in groups A-C were filled with vancomycin-loaded polymethyl methacrylate bone cement spacers. Then the Kirschner wires were used for intramedullary fixation in groups A and B, and the bone cement was used to connect the bone cement spacers and the bone ends in group B. The steel plate was used to fixation in group C. The bone defect in group D was only fixed with steel plate as a blank control group. The general condition was observed after operation. At 5 weeks after operation, 6 rats in groups A-C were selected for STRO-1 immunohistochemical staining to observe the content of mesenchyme stem cells (MSCs) in the induced membrane (STRO-1+ cells). At 12 weeks after operation, the remaining rats in groups A-D were taken for X-ray observation, gross observation, and histological observation (HE, safranin O-green staining) to observe the spontaneous osteogenesis of the membrane.Results All rats in the 4 groups survived until the completion of the experiment. At 5 weeks after operation, the immunohistochemical staining showed that group B was negative, while the contents of MSCs in the induced membrane in groups A and C were 14.20%±1.92% and 5.00%±0.71%, respectively, with a significant difference (P<0.05). At 12 weeks after operation, group A showed that the new bone formed at the osteotomy site and growth towards the center of the bone defect, with an average length of 3.1 mm on one side; and the presence of bone, cartilage lesions, fibers, and a small amount of neovascularization were observed in the induced membrane. Group C only had a small amount of new bone at the osteotomy site, and a small amount of neovascularization in the induced membrane. Groups B and D did not have any new bone, but bone resorption or atrophy at the osteotomy site. ConclusionAlthough the Masquelet technique induced membrane has osteogenesis, the key factor for the spontaneous osteogenesis is the bone marrow overflow from the bone marrow cavity providing MSCs. The spontaneous osteogenesis of the induced membrane belongs to endochondral ossification.
ObjectiveTo investigate the countermeasures for difficult removal of screws in the plate. MethodsThe clinical data were retrospectively analyzed from 47 patients having difficult removal of screws in the plate between January 2004 and May 2014. There were 30 males and 17 females, aged 16-58 years (mean, 34 years). The time from internal fixation to removal of internal fixation was 10 months to 20 years (mean, 22 months). The locations of internal fixation were upper extremity in 25 cases and lower extremity in 22 cases. The number of difficult removal screws in the plate was 1 in 18 cases, 2 in 15 cases, 3 in 9 cases, and 4 in 5 cases. The plate types included general plate in 15 cases and locking plate in 32 cases; stainless steel plate in 10 cases and titanium plate in 37 cases. The reason for difficult removal, plate, screw, incision, and bone quality of patient were comprehensively analyzed, and different methods for difficult removal were chosen according to the principle that first simply then complicated. ResultsAll plates and screws were removed, and no iatrogenic fracture or nerve and vascular injuries occurred. The operation time was 65-270 minutes (mean, 125 minutes). The blood loss was 80-775 mL (mean, 157 mL). The postoperative drainage was 20-250 mL (mean, 92 mL). The incision healing by first intention was obtained in 39 cases, and delayed healing in 8 cases. The patients were followed up 3-24 months (mean, 10 months). No infection or re-fracture was observed. ConclusionThere are many countermeasures for difficult removal of screws in the plate, but each has indication. As long as a well arranged preoperative condition, mastering a variety of methods, and being familiar with its indication, as well as reasonably choosing method based on the specific situations, the plate and screw maybe smoothly removed.