ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of the upper limb free flap for repair of severe contracture of thumb web, and one stage reconstruction of the index finger abduction. MethodsBetween March 2007 and June 2011, 16 cases of severe contracture of thumb web and index finger abduction dysfunction were treated. There were 14 males and 2 females with an average age of 29 years (range, 16-42 years). All injuries were caused by machine crush. The time between injury and admission was 6-24 months (mean, 10 months). The angle of thumb web was 10-25° (mean, 20°), and the width of thumb web was 15-24 mm (mean, 22 mm). After scar relax of the thumb web, the defect size ranged from 6 cm × 4 cm to 8 cm × 6 cm; the upper limb free flap from 7 cm × 5 cm to 9 cm × 7 cm was used to repair the defect, index finger abduction was simultaneously reconstructed by extensor indicis proprius tendon transfer. The donor site was repaired with skin grafting. ResultsAll the flaps and skin graftings survived after operation and incisions healed by first intention. Fourteen patients were followed up 6-12 months (mean, 9 months). The flap appearance was satisfactory. The two-point discrimination was 6-9 mm (mean, 7 mm) after 6 months. The angle of thumb web was 85-90° (mean, 88°). The width of thumb web was 34-52 mm (mean, 40 mm). The abduction and opposing functions of thumb and abduction function of index finger were both recovered. Conclusion A combination of the upper limb free flap for severe contracture of thumb web and one stage reconstruction of the index finger abduction for index finger abduction dysfunction can achieve good results in function and appearance.
Objective To discuss applied anatomy, biomechanics and surgical procedures of long peroneal muscles tendon transposition in repair of occlusive achilles tendon rupture. Methods The blood supply and the morphology of long peroneal muscles tendon were observed in the lower extremity of 50 sides adult specimens and the mechanical tests which stretch load on the tendon were carried out. The methods were designed on the basis of the anatomical characteristics and morphology. Ten patients suffering occlusive Achilles tendon rupture were treated by using long peroneal muscles tendon transposition from March 2001 to July 2004. Among 10 patients, there were 7 males and 3females, aging 32 to 54 years including 6 cases of jump injury, 2 cases of bruise, 1 case of step vacancy and 1 case of spontaneity injury. The interval between injury and surgery was 6 hours to 7 days in 7 fresh rupture and 21 days to 3 months in 3 old rupture. All cases belonged to occlusive Achilles tendon rupture(8 cases of complete rupture and 2 cases of incomplete rupture). Results The origin of long peroneal muscles was proximal tibia and fibular head, the end of them was base of first metatarsal bones and medial cuboid. The length of tendon was 13.5±2.5 cm. The width of origin tendon was 0.9±0.2 cm and the thickness was 0.3±0.1 cm; the width on apex of lateral malleolus was 0.7±0.1 cm and the thickness was 0.4±0.1 cm, the width on head of cuboid was 0.7±0.1 cm and the thickness was 0.3±0.1 cm. The long peroneal muscles tendon had abundant blood supply. The results of mechanical test showed that the biggest load was 2 292.4±617.3 Non tendon calcaneus, 1 020.4±175.4 N on long peroneal muscles tendon, 752.0±165.4 N on peroneus brevis tendon and 938.2±216.7 N on tibialis posteriortendon. Tencases of occlusive Achilles tendon rupture achieved healing by first intention and were followed up 1824 months. No Achilles tendon rerupture, necrosis of skin or other complications occurred. According to AmerLindholm criterion forcurative results, the results were excellent in 7 cases and good in 3 cases and the excellent and good rate was 100%. Conclusion The long peroneal muscles tendon transposition is a perfect and simple way to repair occlusive Achilles tendon rupture.