Objective To evaluate the function of the reconstructed thumbs and the donor feet after thumb reconstructions with modified wrap-around flap. Methods A total of 65 patients who accepted thumb reconstruction with the modified wrap-around flap between January 2003 and October 2007 were followed up, including 54 males and 11 females with an average age of 33 years (range 15-46 years). There were 12 cases of skin degloving injury and late class I B defect, 44 cases of class II defect and 9 cases of class III A defect. The reconstructed thumbs and donor feet were examined andevaluated. Foot function index-verbal rating scales (FFI-5pt), American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) forhallux metatarsophalangeal-interphalangeal score, gait analysis and dynamic pedobarography were conducted to 20 patients who were followed up recently. Results Sixty-five patients were followed up 6-60 months with an average of 22 months. The reconstructed thumbs had aesthetic appearance and satisfactory range of motion. The two-point discrimination was (9.7 ± 2.8) mm, showing statistically significant difference (P lt; 0.05) when compared with that of the contralateral normal thumb [(4.2 ± 1.1) mm]. Full or most length of the donor toes were preserved in 63 patients. The width of remaining plantar strip skin that covered the plantar weight-bearing area was (24.5 ± 3.7) mm, and its two-point discrimination was (9.0 ± 2.6) mm; showing no statistically significant difference (P gt; 0.05) when compared with that of contralateral normal one [(8.1 ± 1.9) mm]. Of the 20 patients who were followed up recently, the evaluation of the FFI-5pt score showed that the pain scale score was 5.6 ± 4.5, the disabil ity scale score was 1.2 ± 2.7, and the FFI-5pt total scale score was 3.2 ± 2.9. The results of AOFAS cl inical rating scale showed that the pain scale score was 34.0 ± 5.0, the function scale score was 38.7 ± 4.2, the al igment scale score was 15.0 ± 0, and the total AOFAS scale score was 87.7 ± 7.4. There was no statistically significant difference (P gt; 0.05) in the durations of subphases of the gait cycle between the donor foot and the contralateral normal foot, and in the peak force and force-time integral of the two whole foot. The peak force of the donor toe was significantly smaller than that of the contralateral normal toe (P lt; 0.05), but there was no significant difference in the peak pressure (P gt; 0.05); and there were no significant differences in the peak forcesand peak pressures of other six anatomical sites of the two feet (P gt; 0.05). Conclusion Using the modified wrap-around flap for thumb reconstruction, aesthetic and functional thumbs can be obtained, and most of the function of the donor feet can be preserved.
linically,free neurovascular warparound flap big toe is generally used as one of the methods forthe reconstruction of thumb. The fate of the donor foot , and the various problems brought about bythe transfer, however, had not drawn enough concentration from the surgeons.Free warparound flap transfer was performed on 107 patients and 62 cases of the total werefollowed-up. It was found that the results of the transfer were generally satisfactory to the thumb,but much were complained about ...