ObjectiveTo introduce a new method to remove the small foreign body in the hand or foot, and to discuss its feasibility and effectiveness. MethodsBetween May 2007 and March 2012, 78 patients with small foreign bodies embedded in the soft tissue of the hand or foot were treated with the method. There were 51 males and 27 females, aged from 7 to 69 years with an average of 32.5 years. The hand, wrist, and foot were involved in 48, 6, and 24 cases respectively. Foreign body type included fiberglass (57 cases), thorn (11 cases), iron (5 cases), bamboo thorn (2 cases), fishbone (2 cases), and metal needles (1 case). The time between injury and operation was 30 minutes to 16 days (mean, 2.6 days). The position and range of the foreign body were defined using the multipoint centralization method before removal surgery. The skin was cut according multipoint connection for finding small foreign body under a microscope. ResultsAll foreign bodies were successfully removed. The mean operation time was 6 minutes (range, 3-22 minutes). Healing of incision by first intention was obtained in all cases; no blood circulation disorders or infection occurred. All the patients were followed up 3 months-3 years (mean, 9 months). The distal limb had no feeling or movement disorders. ConclusionRemoval of small foreign body in soft-tissue using multipoint centralization method is safe and effective.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness of V-Y advanced medial gastrocnemius muscle flap to repair soft tissue defects in the middle and lower segments of the anterior tibia. MethodsBetween March 2008 and March 2014, 8 patients with skin and soft tissue defects of the anterior tibia were treated, including 6 males and 2 females with an average age of 36.2 years (range, 28-47 years). The soft tissue defects located at the left leg in 5 cases and at the right leg in 3 cases. The causes included traffic accident injury in 6 cases, and heavy pound injury in 2 cases. Three cases had simple soft tissue defects, and the disease course was 5 hours, 6 days, and 14 days, respectively. Five cases had soft tissue defects and fractures, including 1 case of Pilon fracture, and 4 cases of middle and distal tibial fracture; open reduction and internal fixation were performed in 3 cases, the implementation of external fixation in 2 cases; 1 case had chronic osteomyelitis at 11 months after operation, and 4 cases had skin necrosis and wound infection at 1 to 2 weeks after operation; the duration was 1-12 months (mean, 3.4 months). The skin and soft tissue defect area was 5.2 cm×2.5 cm to 13.0 cm×5.5 cm. Debridement was given, and vacuum sealing drainage was used in 6 cases, and then V-Y advancement of medial gastrocnemius muscle flap was used to cover the wound. Because of light wound contamination, the wound was repaired by the flap after emergency debridement in 1 case; 1 patient with osteomyelitis underwent flap repair at immediate after sensitive antibiotics use and debridement. The size of medial gastrocnemius muscle flaps ranged from 15 cm×6 cm to 26 cm×15 cm. The donor site was sutured in 3 cases or repaired with skin graft in 5 cases. ResultsOne case had tension blisters in the distal flap, which was cured after symptomatic treatment. The flap and skin graft survived, and primary healing was obtained in the other cases. Seven patients were followed up 6-18 months (mean, 9 months). The texture and appearance of the flaps were satisfactory. At 6 months after operation, two-point discrimination ranged from 12 to 18 mm (mean, 16 mm). The plantar flexion was weaker than that of normal side, but the patients could normally walk and had normal gait. ConclusionThe V-Y advancement of medial gastrocnemius muscle flap is recommendable to repair soft tissue defects in the middle and lower segments of the anterior tibia for the advantages of reliable blood supply, simple operation, high survival rate of the flap, and satisfactory appearance.