Reverse Osteocutaneous Dorsoulnar Thumb Flap:

Reconstruction of Soft-Tissue Defects of the Thumb Using Reverse-Flow Homodigital Flaps: A Systematic Review

Introduction

Soft-tissue thumb defects are common reconstructive challenges, the main goals being restoration of tactile sensibility, range of movement, pulp padding, length, and cosmesis. The reverse-flow dorsoulnar and dorsoradial collateral artery flaps are homodigital flaps used to cover both distal dorsal and volar thumb defects. These flaps can be used as compound flaps including skin, fat, and/or nerves. As there is no critical analysis of these studies, this study aims to create a synthesized comprehensive systematic review.

Methods

Systematic review was performed using the databases PubMed, Embase, and Medline. Eligible studies followed the inclusion criteria: English language and all studies published to date. The primary outcome was flap survival. Other data collected included anatomical area of the defect, flap constituents and dimensions, donor-site closure and complications, transfer method, reoperation, revision, and functional outcomes.

Results

A total of 19 articles incorporating 189 flaps met the inclusion criteria. These flaps were categorized and analyzed as dorsoradial (50%), dorsoulnar (39%), and turnover flaps (11%). Dorsoradial flaps were used in fasciocutaneous fashion alone. Partial flap failures occurred in five cases. Dorsoulnar flaps were used as fasciocutaneous or as osteocutaneous flaps. Complete flap failure was reported in one patient alone, whereas partial necrosis was reported in four patients. Adipofascial turnover flaps had two partial flap failures reported but no complete failures. The overall complete and partial flap failure rates were 0.5 and 6.5%, respectively.

Conclusion

Reverse-flow homodigital random or axial-based flaps provide a reliable means of reconstruction for soft-tissue defects with reasonable success rate and good functional outcomes. They have a consistent anatomy with a good potential for personalization and therefore increased versatility.

The first dorsal metacarpal artery flaps versus reverse homodigital dorsal flaps for thumb reconstruction: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

This review was performed to systematically compare the effectiveness and safety of the first dorsal metacarpal artery flaps (FDMAF) and reverse homodigital dorsal flaps (RHDF) for thumb reconstruction.

METHODS

All literatures, which compared FDMAF versus RHDF for thumb reconstruction, were acquired through a comprehensive search in multiple databases from inception until 31st August 2022. A meta-analysis was performed using the Cochrane Collaboration's RevMan 5.4 software.

RESULTS

A total of 19 articles were retrieved, comprising 396 patients in the FDMAF group and 423 patients in the RHDF group. The pooled estimates suggested that there were no significant differences in venous congestion, complications about flap necrosis and reduced range of motion (ROM) of thumb, static 2-point discrimination (S-2PD) between the two groups. On the other hand, patients in the RHDF group had less vascular crisis (odds ratio [OR] = 3.15, 95%CI, 1.31-7.56), complications about poor cortical reorientation (OR = 440.02, 95%CI, 91.97-2105.27) and higher satisfaction rate (OR = 0.56, 95% CI, 0.33-0.96) than those in the FDMAF group.

CONCLUSIONS

The two surgical procedures were both safe and reliable since no significant differences were found in flap necrosis between the two groups. However, the patients in the RHDF group had less complications about vascular crisis, poor cortical reorientation and higher satisfaction rate. Accordingly, we thought RHDF may be more superior for thumb reconstruction than FDMAF.

Innominate variant artery in the first web space

INTRODUCTION

Numerous variations are characteristic for hand anatomy. Although a lot of work has been done in the field, a detailed description of the branches of the radial artery is still missing. The aim of this study is to determine the incidence and diameter of the accessory artery, which can be found running on the dorsal surface of the interosseus dorsalis primus muscle, to deliver the detailed description of this arterial variation and based on that to suggest a systematic name of the artery which would be in line with Terminologia Anatomica.

METHODS

We used 133 complete donor bodies and 237 cadaverous hands in our study, giving us a total sample size of 503 samples. When possible, we determined the age of the donors which was between 62 and 90 years. We performed detailed anatomical dissection to determine the individual branching. We also measured the diameter of selected arteries. When relevant we performed statistical comparisons. To do that we first applied Shapiro-Wilk test to determine the normality of distribution and after that we used Mann-Whitney U test and One-way ANOVA.

RESULTS

The variation of interest was found in 11.93% of cases. Based on the anatomical differences we determined four types of branching, type 1-3 forming the anastomosis with superficial palmar arch (being considered as positive findings) and type 4 which did not form this anastomosis (thus considered to be a negative finding).

DISCUSSION

We successfully determined the incidence of this arterial variation on a sufficient sample size. We also described the anatomy of this branching in detail and were able to determine four types of this branching. After careful consideration of these findings we proposed the new name for this artery and suggest to use the name superficial dorsal branch of radial artery. This could contribute to a better understanding of this branching and potential use in clinical practice.

Refinements in dorsoulnar flap of the thumb: 15 cases

PURPOSE

We report 2 modifications of the classic Brunelli flap to avoid vascular compromise and first web contracture, common when using medium or large flaps.

METHODS

We treated 15 patients with posttraumatic loss of palmar surface and distal amputation of the thumb, with dorsoulnar flap associated with 2 refinements. The first technical tip was an adipofascial extension proximal in the flap aimed to decrease the morbidity of the donor site without changing the potential covering of the flap. The second was always to graft the pedicle of the flap, avoid vascular compression problems, and moreover, to use the pedicle to cover the traumatic area. All ulnar dorsal digital nerves of the flaps were reconnected to one of the volar digital nerves. The minimum patient follow-up was 12 months.

RESULTS

All flaps achieved primary healing without major complications. There were no donor site problems. Cosmetic debulking of the flap over the pedicle has not been required.

CONCLUSIONS

The Brunelli flap is a good technique to cover small and moderate defects of the thumb, although the drawback of this procedure is the lack of sensory recovery. The refinements of this series can help to improve the use of this flap and avoid complications in the donor site.

Vascularized bone blocks from the toe phalanx to solve complex intercalated defects in the fingers

PURPOSE

Vascularized bone transplants resist infection and allow rapid healing but keeping small bony segments vascularized, as needed for a finger defect, is a challenge. The purpose of this article is to present a cohort of patients with traumatic intercalated compound bony defects in the fingers that were reconstructed by a vascularized toe phalanx (or part of a phalanx) in a single stage.

METHODS

Eight patients were treated with an intercalary vascularized bone graft that included a part of the proximal phalanx (3 patients), most of the middle phalanx (4 patients), or a portion of each phalanx (1 patient) of a second toe (totaling 9 bone blocks). There was an associated soft-tissue defect in each patient, an infection in 6 patients, and cartilage loss in 4 patients. The toes were pedicled on the proper digital artery (6 patients) or a segment of the first dorsal metatarsal artery (2 patients). A mean length of 12 mm of vascularized bone was transferred. The associated skin island varied from a minimum of 2 x 1 cm to a maximum of 5 x 3 cm. Bleeding from all of the bone surfaces was evidenced once the clamps were released. The homolateral digital nerve and the contralateral neurovascular pedicle of the toe were kept in place. The toe defect was treated by soft-tissue arthroplasty or arthrodesis. No toe was amputated.

RESULTS

Radiologic bony union was evident at 4 to 6 weeks, except in 1 patient with an acute infection whose distal union failed to unite at 6 weeks because the infection recurred. Finger length loss averaged 3 mm. All patients returned to their preoperative occupation.

CONCLUSIONS

In this group of patients the toe phalanx reliably maintained its vascularization, allowing us to solve compound osteocutaneous defects in the fingers in a single stage. Donor site morbidity was minimal.

Specific flaps for the thumb

This article illustrates the use of local and distant flaps for the reconstruction of the thumb. The flaps available for thumb reconstructions, particularly of small defects, are often similar to those used in the fingers. However, they are rarely identical and have usually required modification to the particular needs of the thumb. These flaps and their modifications are, perhaps, as important as the few classic flaps used in larger thumb reconstructions, as many defects of the thumb are small and only a few are large. This article attempts to address all of these needs of thumb reconstruction, indicating when small flaps are suitable and when more extensive reconstructions are necessary.