Ulnar Thumb Pulp Reconstruction Using the Anterograde Homodigital Neurovascular Island Flap

The thumb ulnar pulp is a critical component of key pinch and precision manipulation. Injuries to this area should be reconstructed with robust, sensate tissue that restores bulk and contour. The existing reconstructive options, however, have substantial risks and drawbacks. We describe an anterograde homodigital neurovascular island flap that provides both sensate and durable coverage of the ulnar thumb pulp. The flap uses innervated glabrous tissue, limits donor site morbidity to the thumb and first web space, and does not require microvascular anastomoses or nerve coaptation. The flap has been previously described for nonthumb fingertip injuries, but it has not been applied to the thumb. We discuss several important technical modifications that are essential to raising and insetting this flap in the thumb, review potential pitfalls, and highlight key steps to ensuring judicious intraoperative decision making and success.

[Vascular crisis after multiple tissue transplantation for thumb and other finger reconstruction by toe-to-hand transfer]

Objective

To explore the causes of vascular crisis after thumb and other finger reconstruction by toe-to-hand transfer and effective treatment methods so as to improve the survival rate of transplanted tissues.

Methods

Between February 2012 and October 2015, 59 cases of thumb and other finger defects were repaired with different hallux nail flaps with the same vascular pedicle flap to reconstruct thumb and other fingers and repair skin defect. The donor site was repaired by a perforator flap. A total of 197 free tissues were involved. There were 46 males and 13 females with the average age of 30.6 years (range, 18-42 years). Vascular crisis occurred in 21 free tissues (10.7%) of 17 patients, including 9 arterial crisis (4.6%) of 8 cases, and 12 venous crisis (6.1%) of 10 cases. Conservative treatment was performed first; in 8 free tissues of 7 cases after failure of conservative treatment, anastomotic thrombosis was found in 5 free tissues of 4 cases, twisted vascular pedicle in 1 free tissue of 1 case, surrounding hematoma in 1 free tissue of 1 case, and anastomotic thrombosis associated with hematoma in 1 free tissue of 1 case, which underwent clearing hematoma, resecting embolization, regulating vascular tension, re-anastomosis or vascular transplantation.

Results

In 8 cases of arterial crisis, 5 free tissues of 5 cases survived after conservative treatment; partial necrosis occurred in 1 free tissue (1 case) of 4 free tissues (3 cases) undergoing surgical exploration. In 10 cases of venous crisis, 1 free tissue necrosis and 1 free tissue partial necrosis occurred in 8 free tissues (6 cases) undergoing conservative treatment; partial necrosis occurred in 1 free tissue of 4 free tissues (4 cases) undergoing surgical exploration. Free flap and skin graft were performed on 2 free tissues of 4 cases having flap necrosis respectively.

Conclusion

Vascular crisis is complex and harmful to survival of transplanted tissue in reconstruction of the thumb and other fingers. Immediate intervention is helpful to obtain a higher survival rate.

Reverse Radial Forearm Flap to Provide Arterial Inflow to a Toe Transfer

Background: Toe-to-thumb transfer has become the gold standard for thumb reconstruction, but in badly mutilated hands, additional soft tissue coverage may be required or a suitable recipient artery may not be available. There are only 3 case reports describing the successful use of a reverse radial forearm flap for coverage of a soft tissue defect around the thumb as well as providing arterial inflow for a toe transfer, performed either simultaneously or secondarily. Methods: A single surgeon's experience of all toe-to-hand transfers performed in conjunction with a reverse radial forearm flap between 1995 and 2014 was reviewed, including patient demographics, type of toe transfer and vascular pedicle, whether immediate or secondary, follow-up, and complications. Results: Eight toe-to-hand transfers were performed in 7 patients-3 children (age range, 3-15 years) and 4 adults (age range, 19-39 years). Three patients underwent primary toe-to-thumb transfer simultaneously with a reverse radial forearm flap, and 5 patients underwent secondary toe-to-hand transfer between 4 months and 2½ years after an initial reverse radial forearm flap. All toe transfers survived completely. Average follow-up was 5.1 years. All patients were satisfied with the function and appearance of their reconstructed thumb. Conclusion: The reverse radial forearm flap is a very reliable procedure as a "Sister" or "Siamese" flap to provide immediate arterial inflow to a simultaneous toe-to-thumb transfer, or to provide primary soft tissue coverage on the radial aspect of the hand and subsequently provide a recipient arterial inflow for a secondary toe transfer.

[DECOMPRESSION AND DIVERTING EFFECTS OF VASCULAR ANASTOMOSIS BASED ON DIGITAL ARTERIAL ARCH BRANCH IN REPLANTATION OF FREE FINGER-PULP]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the decompression and diverting effects of vascular anastomosis based on the digital arterial arch branch in replantation of free finger-pulp in distal phalanges.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 12 patients (12 fingers) who underwent free finger-pulp replantation with anastomosis of proper palmar digital artery and the palmar digital artery arch branch in the distal end between December 2004 and March 2015. Of 12 cases, 9 were male and 3 were female, aged 15-39 years with an average of 32 years. The causes of injury included cutting injury in 4 cases, crush injury in 7 cases, and avulsion injury in 1 case. The thumb was involved in 2 cases, index finger in 4 cases, ring finger in 3 cases, middle finger in 1 case, and little finger in 2 cases. The free finger pulp ranged from 1.8 cm x 1.5 cm to 2.8 cmx2.0 cm. The time from injury to operation ranged from 1.5 to 11.0 hours, with an average of 5.7 hours. No arterial arch or proper palmar digital arteriae anastomosis was excluded.

RESULTS

Free finger-pulp survived in 11 cases after operation; venous crisis occurred in 1 case at 2 days after operation, and was cured after symptomatic treatment. Nine cases were followed up 6-18 months with an average of 10 months. The finger-pulp had good appearance, clear fingerprint, and soft texture. The two-point discrimination was 3.1-6.0 mm, with an average of 4.6 mm at 6 months after operation. The function of finger flexion and extension was normal. And according to upper extremity functional evaluation standard by hand surgery branch of Chinese Medical Association, the results were excellent in 7 cases, and good in 2 cases.

CONCLUSION

In the replantation of amputated pulp with insufficiency of venous blood outflow, the anastomosis of digital arterial arch branch in the distal end can decompress and shunt arterial blood, adjust blood inflow and outflow, and solve the problems of insufficient quantity of the vein and venous reflux disturbance.

Hair tourniquet syndrome: revisited

Hair tourniquet syndrome is a rare condition. It is an important emergency condition where urgent attention is needed. In this condition, body appendages are strangulated by hair that acts like a tourniquet. A strand or strands of hair act like a circumferential constriction band and subsequently strangulate the body appendages. Commonly affected sites include fingers, toes or even genitals. Failure to identify and release the acute constriction may result in amputation of affected body part. We report two cases of hair tourniquet syndrome of the thumb and toe that were successfully released without complications.

[PLASTY, USING THIN CUTANEO-ADIPOSAL FLAPS OF ANTERIOR ABDOMINAL WALL, FOR INJURIES OF THE WRIST AND THUMBS]

Experience of a late plasty, using a thin cutaneo-adiposal flaps of abdominal wall of a full-layered wounds of soft tissues of the thumbs and a wrist in 6 injured persons, was presented. Critical postoperative complications and the flaps loss were not observed. Parts of the edge necrosis of the flaps in 3 patients were excised, the wound suturing was done or autodermoplasty, in 1 of them osteosequesterectomy was performed. The reconstruction purpose--restoration of the cover tissues and revascularization of the thumbs and wrists defects--was achieved in all the patients.

[DORSALIS PEDIS FLAP SERIES-PARALLEL BIG TOE NAIL COMPOSITE TISSUE FLAP TO REPAIR HAND SKIN OF DEGLOVING INJURY WITH THUMB DEFECT]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effectiveness of dorsalis pedis flap series-parallel big toe nail composite tissue flap in the repairment of hand skin of degloving injury with tumb defect.

METHODS

Between March 2009 and June 2013, 8 cases of hand degloving injury with thumb defect caused by machine twisting were treated. There were 7 males and 1 female with the mean age of 36 years (range, 26-48 years). Injury located at the left hand in 3 cases and at the right hand in 5 cases. The time from injury to hospitalization was 1.5-4.0 hours (mean, 2.5 hours). The defect area was 8 cm x 6 cm to 15 cm x 1 cm. The thumb defect was rated as degree I in 5 cases and as degree II in 3 cases. The contralateral dorsal skin flap (9 cm x 7 cm to 10 cm x 8 cm) combined with ipsilateral big toe nail composite tissue flap (2.5 cm x 1.8 cm to 3.0 cm x 2.0 cm) was used, including 3 parallel anastomosis flaps and 5 series anastomosis flaps. The donor site of the dorsal flap was repaired with thick skin grafts, the stumps wound was covered with tongue flap at the shank side of big toe.

RESULTS

Vascular crisis occurred in 1 big toe nail composite tissue flap, margin necrosis occurred in 2 dorsalis pedis flap; the other flaps survived, and primary healing of wound was obtained. The grafted skin at dorsal donor site all survived, skin of hallux toe stump had no necrosis. Eight cases were followed up 4-20 months (mean, 15.5 months). All flaps had soft texture and satisfactory appearance; the cutaneous sensory recovery time was 4-7 months (mean, 5 months). At 4 months after operation, the two-point discrimination of the thumb pulp was 8-10 mm (mean, 9 mm), and the two-point discrimination of dorsal skin flap was 7-9 mm (mean, 8.5 mm). According to Society of Hand Surgery standard for the evaluation of upper part of the function, the results were excellent in 4 cases, good in 3 cases, and fair in 1 case. The donor foot had normal function.

CONCLUSION

Dorsalis pedis flap series-parallel big toe nail composite tissue flap is an ideal way to repair hand skin defect, and reconstructs the thumb, which has many advantages, including simple surgical procedure, no limitation to recipient site, soft texture, satisfactory appearance and function of reconstructing thumb, and small donor foot loss.

A novel method based on two cameras for accurate estimation of arterial oxygen saturation

BACKGROUND

Photoplethysmographic imaging (PPGi) that is based on camera allows acquiring photoplethysmogram and measuring physiological parameters such as pulse rate, respiration rate and perfusion level. It has also shown potential for estimation of arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2). However, there are some technical limitations such as optical shunting, different camera sensitivity to different light spectra, different AC-to-DC ratios (the peak-to-peak amplitude to baseline ratio) of the PPGi signal for different portions of the sensor surface area, the low sampling rate and the inconsistency of contact force between the fingertip and camera lens.

METHODS

In this paper, we take full account of the above-mentioned design challenges and present an accurate SaO2 estimation method based on two cameras. The hardware system we used consisted of an FPGA development board (XC6SLX150T-3FGG676 from Xilinx), with connected to it two commercial cameras and an SD card. The two cameras were placed back to back, one camera acquired PPGi signal from the right index fingertip under 660 nm light illumination while the other camera acquired PPGi signal from the thumb fingertip using an 800 nm light illumination. The both PPGi signals were captured simultaneously, recorded in a text file on the SD card and processed offline using MATLAB®. The calculation of SaO2 was based on the principle of pulse oximetry. The AC-to-DC ratio was acquired by the ratio of powers of AC and DC components of the PPGi signal in the time-frequency domain using the smoothed pseudo Wigner-Ville distribution. The calibration curve required for SaO2 measurement was obtained by linear regression analysis.

RESULTS

The results of our estimation method from 12 subjects showed a high correlation and accuracy with those of conventional pulse oximetry for the range from 90 to 100%.

CONCLUSIONS

Our method is suitable for mobile applications implemented in smartphones, which could allow SaO2 measurement in a pervasive environment.

[REPAIR OF THUMB PULP DEFECTS WITH SIDE ISLAND FLAP COINCIDING DORSAL BRANCH OF DIGITAL NERVE]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the effectiveness of the side island flap coinciding dorsal branch of the digital. nerve for repairing thumb pulp defects.

METHODS

Between May 2008 and July 2012, 36 cases of thumb pulp defects were treated with the side island flap coinciding dorsal branch of the digital nerve. There were 26 males and 10 females, aged 21-51 years (mean, 32.4 years). The injury causes included electric saw injury in 14 cases, punchpress injury in 8 cases, machine twist injury in 5 cases, door crushing injury in 5 cases, and glass cutting injury in 4 cases. The left hand was involved in 12 cases and the right hand in 24 cases. Combined injuries included tendon and bone exposure in all cases, fracture of the distal phalanx in 3 cases, and nail bed lacerations in 2 cases. The defect size ranged from 1.4 cm x 1.2 cm to 2.5 cm x 2.1 cm; and the flap size ranged from 1.8 cm x 1.4 cm to 3.0 cm x 2.5 cm.

RESULTS

Two flaps with distal skin flap tension blisters and skin scabbing, which were cured after dressing changes; the wound healed by first intension in the other 34 cases. The skin grafts at donor site survived, and primary healing of incision was obtained. The patients were followed up 3-15 months (mean, 8 months). The appearance and function restored well. Two-point discrimination of the flap was 5.2 mm on average (range, 4-8 mm) at last follow-up. The finger joint had no stiff. According to the upper extremity function evaluation criteria issued by the Hand Surgery Society of Chinese Medical Association, the sensation was S4 in 33 and S3+ in 3 cases. No ectopic feeling was observed. The extension and flexion activity of fingers at donor site was normal, the sensation reached S4 with no atrophy of the finger.

CONCLUSION

With constant anatomy, reliable blood supply, and safe operation, the anastomoses of the finger side island flap with dorsal branch of digital nerve is a better method to repair thumb pulp defects because it also effectively overcome the ectopic feeling with traditional methods and protect feel function of the fingers at donor site.

[EFFECTIVENESS OF FREE ANASTOMOSIS CUTANEOUS NERVE DOUBLE ARTERIALIZED VENOUS FLAP GRAFT FOR REPAIRING FINGER DEFECT]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the effectiveness of the free anastomosis cutaneous nerve double arterialized venous flap graft in repairing finger defect.

METHODS

Between May 2010 and May 2013, 39 patients with finger defect were treated. There were 27 males and 12 females with an average age of 31 years (range, 17-45 years). The injury to admission time was 30-90 minutes (mean, 60 minutes). The causes included mechanical injury in 23 cases, crush injury in 11 cases, and other injury in 5 cases. The thumb was involved in 13 cases, the index finger in 11 cases, the middle finger in 9 cases, the ring finger in 4 cases, and the little finger in 2 cases. Skin soft tissue defect ranged from 2 cm x 1 cm to 4 cm x 2 cm. Of them, 22 cases had tendon injury, 17 cases had tendon and phalanx injuries. The size of free anastomosis cutaneous nerve double arterialized venous flap ranged from 2.5 cm x 1.5 cm to 4.5 cm x 2.5 cm. The donor site was directly sutured.

RESULTS

Tension blister and swelling were observed at distal flap in 5 cases at 3-5 days after operation and were cured after symptomatic treatment; the other 34 flaps survived, and wound healed by first intention. Primary healing at donor site was obtained. The patients were followed up 6-12 months (mean, 9 months). The flap appearance and texture were good with two-point discrimination of 6-9 mm (mean, 7.5 mm). According to the upper extremity function evaluation criteria issued by the Hand Surgery Society of Chinese Medical Association, the results were excellent in 35 cases and good in 4 cases.

CONCLUSION

The free anastomosis cutaneous nerve double arterial ized venous flap not only can ensure the flap blood supply, but also can obviously improve the sensory function of the flap, which greatly reduces the risk of postoperative flap atrophy, and can achieved satisfactory effectiveness.

[Digital artery bilobed flap for the treatment of skin degloving injury of thumb]

OBJECTIVE

To explore clinical effects of digital artery bilobed flap for the treatment of skin degloving injury of thumb.

METHODS

From January 2007 to December 2012, 45 patients with skin degloving injury of thumb were treated with grafting of digital artery bilobed flap. There were 39 males and 6 females, ranging in age from 19 to 46 years, with an average of 32 years. The disease course ranged from 0.5 to 15 h. Eighteen patients suffered from defect of palmar skin above nail root and nail bed, 19 patients suffered from skin degloving injury of thumb phalangette, and 8 patients had whole skin degloving injury of thumb. The double lobe flaps were designed at the ulnar side of middle finger and the radial side of ring finger according to the defect of thumb skin. The arteria digitalis communis between the middle and ring fingers and its two branches of arteriae digitales propriae supplying the two fingers were used as a vessel pedicle. The flap with digitales proprii nervi was transposed and used to cover the exposed phalanx of thumb. Full thickness graft was used for the donor site. Observation of the appearance, texture, color and wear resistance of flap, appearance, color and depression of grafting area, skin feeling, and finger activities was conducted.

RESULTS

All the flaps and grafts were alive. Forty-three patients were followed up with an average duration of 25 months, and two patients lost follow-up. The color and texture of the flaps were similar to that of the contralateral thumb pulp. The average two point discrimination was 4.2 +/- 0.3 mm. The color of graft skin was slightly deeper than that of the surroundings skin.

CONCLUSION

Digital artery bilobed flap graft is an effective and ideal operation, which is of low risk and high success rates for skin degloving injury of thumb.

[Thumb replantation through bridging ulnar proper digital artery and dorsal carpal branch of radial artery]

OBJECTIVE

To introduce treatment method of replantation of severed thumb trauma with proximal arterial, and to evaluate its efficacy.

METHODS

From February 2007 to March 2009,13 patients with severed thumb in serious injury of proximal arterial were treated with vein graft of volar forearm,bridging between dorsal carpal branch of radial artery on nasopharyngeal fossa and distal stump of ulnar proper digital artery. Among them, there were 11 males and 2 females with an average age of 34.5 years ranging from 16 to 50 years. Seven cases were in the left thumb,6 in the right thumb. Eight cases were complete separation, incomplete separation in 5 cases. Ten cases recieved emergency reimplantation, 3 cases with the arterial crisis after conventional replantation were explorated and repaired.

RESULTS

Thumb of 13 cases all survived. All patients were followed-up for 8 to 17 months (averaged, 11 months). Replantation thumb obtained satisfactory appearance. According to Chinese Medical Association Society of Hand Surgery Trial criteria, the results were excellent in 9 fingers, good in 3 fingers, 1 poor finger. Two point discrimination of finger pulp was 5 to 8 mm (averaged 6.5 mm).

CONCLUSION

By repairing artery of thumb with vein graft of volar forearm, bridging between dorsal carpal branch of radial artery on nasopharyngeal fossa and distal stump of ulnar proper digital artery,complex severed thumb replants on surgery position comfortable,without affecting the blood supply of the hand, expanding the indications for replantation and improving the success rate of replantation.

[Clinical application of island flap pedicled with dorsal cutaneous branches of thumb radial digital artery]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effectiveness of the island flap pedicled with the dorsal cutaneous branches of thumb radial digital artery from the same finger for repairing pulp defect.

METHODS

Between June 2009 and March 2010, 10 patients (10 fingers) with pulp defect of thumb were treated. There were 6 males and 4 females, aged 13-68 years with an average of 38 years. Defect was caused by machine crush in 4 cases, by saw machine in 3 cases, by chronic infection in 2 cases, and by burn in 1 case. The disease duration was 3 hours to 4 months. In 4 cases of distal pulp defect (1.0 cm x 0.8 cm to 2.0 cm x 1.4 cm) with exposure of bone or tendon, defect was repaired with island flap pedicled with the interphalangeal joint cutaneous branches of thumb radial digital artery (1.0 cm x 0.8 cm to 2.2 cm x 1.5 cm). In 6 cases of proximal pulp defect (1.0 cm x 0.8 cm to 2.5 cm x 2.0 cm) with exposure of bone or tendon, defect was repaired with island flap pedicled with the metacarpophalangeal joint cutaneous branches of thumb radial digital artery (1.0 cm x 0.8 cm to 2.6 cm x 2.2 cm). The donor sites were repaired with skin grafts.

RESULTS

All flaps and skin grafts survived, and wounds healed by first intention. Ten cases were followed up 6-12 months (mean, 8 months). The colour, texture, and contour of the flaps were good. The two-point discrimination was 7-10 mm on the island flap at last follow-up. According to total active motion (TAM) standard, the thumb function was assessed as excellent in 8 cases, good in 1 case, and fair in 1 case, and the excellent and good rate was 90%.

CONCLUSION

The main digital artery and nerve of thumb will not be sacrificed when the island flap pedicled with the dorsal cutaneous branches of thumb radial digital artery is used. The operative procedure is simple, so it is a good method for repairing pulp defect of thumb.

[Replantation and revascularization of the thumb in musculoskeletal trauma center--presentation of 2 cases]

Summary We present two cases of successful microsurgical replantation and revascularization of the thumb of dominating extremity in young men performed in orthopedic department, to whom operative treatment in specialized replantation center could not be performed. Microvasculature of the finger was restored anastomosing microsurgically its artery and vein under operative microscope, and bone fracture was stabilized intramedullary with Kirschner wires. In both cases vitality of the finger was restored, which enabled proper healing of soft tissues and bone, leading to restoration of satisfactory function of the thumb. Due to high value for the function of the hand, thumb injuries threading with its loss should be managed primarily. Due to small vessel diameter those procedures require special instrumentation and trained personnel, and thus shouldbe done in replantation centers. Nevertheless, when treatment in an appropriate center is unavailable, those procedures could also be successfully performed by trained orthopedists.

Pollicization after radical resection of diffuse arteriovenous malformation of the thumb--a case report

A case is presented of arteriovenous malformation of the thumb, requiring thumb amputation and free fap coverage for curative treatment. The thumb was reconstructed by pollicization of the index finger as a secondary operation. The patient remains free of recurrence after 2 years and uses the pollicized thumb for daily activities.

Validity of pulse oximetry in detection of hypoxaemia in children: comparison of ear, thumb and toe probe placements

This study of paediatric intensive care patients aimed to determine where pulse oximetry probes shouid be placed to obtain the most accurate and reliable readings of peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2). Using arterial blood gas analysis (SaO2) as the gold standard and SpO2 92% and SaO2 < 90% as indicators of hypoxaemia, negative predictive values of SpO2 were 96%, 98% and 98% at the ear, thumb and big toe respectively in 110 children, and 93% at all 3 sites in 90 neonates. The highest clinical agreement between SaG, and SpO2 was for ear probes in children (kappa = 0.70) and the lowest was for big toe probes (kappa = 0.57 and 0.28 in children and neonates respectively).

Princeps pollicis artery arising from the superficial palmar arch

We present a 48-year-old male cadaver in which the right superficial palmar arterial arch had no contribution from the radial artery and terminated by giving rise to a common trunk for the princeps pollicis and radialis indicis arteries. The dorsal radial artery of the thumb was absent and no arterial supply was provided by the radial artery. Accordingly, the entire arterial supply to the right thumb was provided by the superficial palmar arterial arch, which was composed solely of the ulnar artery, which received no collateral supply from the radial artery system. Considering that the arterial supply of the thumb in the present case was solely provided by the superficial palmar arch, a potential hazard could exist in the event of traumatic injury to the ulnar artery.

[Clinical effect of distally-based dorsal thumb neurocutaneous vascular flap on repair of soft tissue defect in thumb]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the surgical methods and clinical results of repairing soft tissue defects in the thumb with distally-based dorsal thumb neurocutaneous vascular flap.

METHODS

From January 2006 to October 2007, 23 patients with soft tissue defect in the thumb were treated, including 20 males and 3 females aged 19-46 years old (average 27.5 years old). The defect was caused by crush injury in 1 case, electric planer accident in 6 cases, incised injury in 8 cases, and avulsion injury in 8 cases. The defect was located on the palmar aspect of the thumb distal phalanx in 3 cases, the dorsal-radial aspect of the thumb distal phalanx in 3 cases, and ulnar or dorsal aspect in 17 cases. The defect size ranged from 3.3 cm x 1.2 cm to 4.2 cm x 1.2 cm. Among them, 18 cases were complicated with distal 1/2 nail bed defect or injury. The time between injury and hospital admission was 1-72 hours (average 22 hours). During operation, the defect was repaired with distally-based dorsal-radial neurovenocutaneous vascular flap of the thumb in 3 cases and distally-based dorsal-ulnar neurovenocutaneous vascular flap of the thumb in 20 cases. The size of those flaps was 4.0 cm x 1.6 cm-5.0 cm x 3.0 cm. The donor site underwent direct suture or split thickness skin graft repair.

RESULTS

At 10 days after operation, 3 cases suffered from the epidermal necrosis in the distal part of the flap, 2 of them experienced the exfoliation of dark scab 14 days later and the flap survived, and the flap of the rest one survived after dressing change. The other flaps and the skin graft at the donor site all survived uneventfully. The wounds healed by first intention. All the patients were followed up for 10-16 months (average 12.6 months). The flaps were soft in texture and full in appearance. The two-point discrimination value 6 months after operation was 8-10 mm. At 12 months after operation, the growth of the residual fingernail was evident in 18 cases, including 4 cases of curved or hook fingernail. Active flexion and extension of the thumb were normal. The abduction of the first web space reached or surpassed 80 percent of the normal side in 20 cases and was below 80 percent of the normal side in 3 cases. The clinical outcomes were satisfactory in 11 cases, approximately satisfactory in 8 cases, and unsatisfactory in 4 cases according to self-designed evaluation system.

CONCLUSION

The operative method of repairing the soft tissue defects in the thumb with the distally-based dorsal thumb neurocutaneous vascular flap is simple, stable in anatomy, in line with the principle of proximity, and suitable for repairing thumb tip defect 3 cm in size. It can bring a good postoperative appearance of the thumb and little influence on the hand function.

Use of an arterialised venous skin flap in the replantation of an amputated thumb

We report the replantation of an amputated thumb using a venous skin flap, harvested from the volar surface of the forearm, to make up the soft tissue defect, and to restore the vascular continuity to the thumb.

Measurement of glucose content in plasma from capillary blood in diagnosis of diabetes mellitus

Overall, there is good correlation between glucose values obtained from ear capillary blood and those from peripheral venous plasma, but there are considerable individual differences. Results obtained with these two methods are generally not interchangeable and the converted values should not be used in the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, because of the risk of misclassification. In Denmark this can affect 20-24000 persons. The aim of our study was to investigate whether these differences might be less significant if measurements were taken at the plasma phase of capillary blood and expressed directly as capillary plasma results and if finger capillary blood were used instead of ear capillary blood. The Hitachi 717 instrument was used for measurements of glucose concentrations in venous plasma, the Cobas Mira S in capillary whole blood and the Accu-Chek Inform from Roche in capillary plasma. The conclusions drawn were (1) capillary ear blood glucose concentration correlates well with capillary finger blood concentration and the two sites can be used interchangeably, yielding similar results in the individual patient; (2) sampling variation is almost the same (approx. 0.16 mmol/L) on capillary plasma and capillary whole blood from finger and ear. Sampling variation for venous plasma measured on the Hitachi instrument was 0.13 mmol/L; not significantly better; (3) the analytical imprecision of glucose measurements on capillary plasma (Accu-Chek Inform) and capillary whole blood (haemolysate method) is almost the same (approx. 2.0%). The analytical imprecision of glucose measurements on venous plasma is 0.9% using a laboratory method and almost twice as high using Accu-Chek Inform (2.1%); (4) determination of capillary plasma values in the finger did not improve the correlation with venous plasma values. Even though average values were in better concordance, individual differences did not change. For some persons, both ear- and finger capillary blood measurements deviate significantly from results on venous plasma, such that they cannot be used for diagnosis of diabetes mellitus; (5) the main factor for good correlation is the sampling site. Results obtained on plasma and whole blood from the same puncture correlate well; (6) neither capillary blood nor capillary plasma correlates with the venous plasma method recommended by the American Diabetes Association. It is concluded that physiologic differences in glucose content in capillary- and venous blood prohibit the random use of these two materials in the diagnosis of diabetes.

Rare anatomical variant: arterial circle in palm and at the base of the thumb

In this article, we describe anomalous formation, distribution of superficial palmar arch and an arterial circle at the base of the thumb found during routine dissection classes in the right hand of a 45-year-old male cadaver. These variations are unique and provide significant information to surgeons dissecting the hand region.

Replantation of completely amputated thumbs with venous arterialization

PURPOSE

To report a new method of replanting completely amputated thumbs with venous arterialization.

METHODS

In 6 replantation surgeries of completely amputated thumbs performed during the period 1999-2003, the proximal artery was anastomosed with a vein of the amputated part to establish inflow and the proximal vein was anastomosed with several other veins in the amputated part to establish outflow. This was because the proper palmar digital arteries were seriously injured or anastomosis of proper palmar digital arteries failed many times.

RESULTS

All the replanted thumbs survived, regained good sensory and motor functions, and showed no difference from thumbs replanted conventionally.

CONCLUSIONS

Venous arterialization may salvage otherwise unreplantable thumbs.

Replantation of fingers and hands after avulsion and crush injuries

INTRODUCTION

Avulsion and crush injuries constitute a particularly difficult problem due to extensive damage of vessels and nerves. In cases where a crush is the dominating injury factor causing complex fractures of forearm and carpal bones, shortening of the extremity is necessary for primary vessel and nerve reconstruction. Surgical experience in vessels dissection and optimal sequence of reconstruction procedures using vessels and nerve grafts are of paramount importance.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In the years 1986-2006 the author carried out 18 replantations and 4 revascularizations at various levels of distal upper limb after crush-avulsion trauma. There were 8 thumb, 7 long fingers and 7 hand amputations. Hand replantations were carried out in 5 males aged 18-45 (mean age 33). Thumb replantations were carried out in 2 females and 5 males. There were 4 complete amputations of a long finger (three teenagers and 32-year-old male). A vein grafting from the forearm was the basic method used in arterial reconstructions (3 hands, 5 thumbs and 6 long fingers). Grafts of the deep radial vein were used in 2 cases (one in hand and one in the thumb). Change in the standard sequence of the replantation procedure (i.e. reconstruction of the artery on the ulnar side of the thumb before bone stabilisation) appeared very helpful on thumb. Rerouting veins, venous flaps or skin flaps from the dorsal surface of the index finger were very useful in reconstruction of the blood outflow. Secondary reconstruction of nerves were carried out in 8 patients (40%) and 5 patients are still waiting for the surgery.

RESULTS

Sixteen out of 18 replants (88.9%) and all 4 revascularized parts survived. Overall success rate was 90.9%.

CONCLUSIONS

Grafting technique in reconstruction of arteries and veins during the primary vessels repair is a very good method and we advocate that it should be widely used. Due to extent of trauma, majority of the patients required secondary procedures - mainly reconstruction of nerves with nerve grafts.

Radial artery aneurysm resulting from repetitive occupational injury: Tailor's thumb

INTRODUCTION

True radial artery aneurysms are very rare and a cause is rarely identified.

CASE REPORT

An unusual case of a true radial artery aneurysm in a tailor of fifty years; presenting with a growing, tender lump at the base of his thumb.

DISCUSSION

Radial artery aneurysms are classically pseudoaneurysms from iatrogenic traumatic injury - arterial cannulation. This is the first case in the literature to demonstrate a true aneurysm secondary to repetitive occupational injury.

Treatment of scaphoid non-unions by a palmar approach with vascularised bone graft harvested from the thumb

Ten patients with scaphoid non-unions which had been present for longer than 2 years were treated using a vascularised bone graft harvested from the thumb and pedicled on the first dorsal metacarpal artery. Bone harvesting and grafting were performed by a single palmar approach. Concomitant cancellous bone graft was not used. Bone healing was confirmed by CT scans in nine of the ten patients. Persistence of the non-union was observed in one patient who was the oldest in this series, had the longest standing non-union and was a heavy smoker. Twelve months after surgery, nine of the ten patients had significant pain relief with an improved range of motion and grip strength.

Defektdeckung durch lokoregionäre Lappenplastiken an der Hand

Soft tissue defects in the hand with exposed tendons, bones, or joints present difficult reconstructive challenges. A wide variety of highly sophisticated intrinsic flaps offer a wide range of therapeutic options of locoregional soft tissue coverage to achieve acceptable aesthetic and functional results. This article gives an overview of the various groups of flaps, indication, and their use in clinical situations based on the experience with more than 100 flaps over a 4-year period.

Persistent median artery in the hand: A report with a brief review of the literature

We encountered a persistent median artery in the forearms and hands bilaterally in a 78-year-old Japanese male cadaver during dissection practice at Wakayama Medical University. The brachial arteries divided into the ulnar and radial arteries. The ulnar artery gave off the median and posterior interosseous arteries at the same point, although the anterior interosseous artery was not found. The median artery ran along the median nerve and bifurcated in the hand. In the superficial layer of the palm, one branch of the median artery ran to the ulnar side of the thumb, whereas the other passed to the second interdigital space. The ulnar artery reached the third and fourth interdigital spaces and the ulnar side of the little finger, and showed no anastomosis with the median artery in the superficial layer of the palm. The radial artery did not give off the superficial palmar branch. Therefore, the formation of the superficial palmar arch was incomplete. In the deep layer of the palm, the radial artery formed the deep palmar arch with the deep palmar branch of the ulnar artery and gave off the princeps pollicis artery. In the dorsum of hand, the radial artery passed over the first dorsal interosseous muscle to the index finger and communicated with the palmar pollical artery from the median artery in the first interosseous space. The present study reports an unusual variation of the persistent median artery in the hand and briefly reviews the literature about the median artery.

Pollicisation of the index metacarpal based on the first dorsal metacarpal artery

We present our experience of two cases in which we carried out pollicisation of the index metacarpal based on the first dorsal metacarpal artery and venae comitans. Both cases were complex severe hand injuries where the initial injury was the result of a firework exploding while held in the hand. In both cases the radial side of the superficial palmar arch was destroyed by the injury. In both cases there was virtually complete loss of the thumb ray and amputation of the index through the base of the proximal phalanx. A useful opposition post has been created from vascularised index metacarpal with free flap soft tissue reconstruction.

Vascular Communications of the Hand in Patients Being Considered for Transradial Coronary Angiography

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to assess the accuracy of the Allen's test (AT) in predicting hand ischemia in patients undergoing transradial coronary angiography.

BACKGROUND

Patients with poor vascular communications between the radial artery (RA) and ulnar artery (UA), as indicated by an abnormal AT, are usually excluded from transradial coronary angiography to avoid ischemic hand complications.

METHODS

Over a four-month period, patients undergoing coronary angiography were screened for AT time. Circulation in the RA, UA, principal artery of the thumb (PAT), and thumb capillary lactate were measured before and after 30 min of RA occlusion.

RESULTS

Fifty-five patients were studied (20 normal, 15 intermediate, 20 abnormal). Three patients with an abnormal AT were excluded, owing to absence of detectible flow in the distal UA. Patients with an abnormal AT were all men, had a larger RA (3.4 vs. 2.8 mm; p <0.001), and smaller UA (1.9 vs. 2.5 mm; p <0.001), compared with patients with a normal AT. After 30 min of RA occlusion in patients with abnormal AT, blood flow to the PAT improved (3.2 to 7.7 cm/s; p <0.001) yet remained reduced relative to patients with normal AT (7.7 vs. 21.4 cm/s; p <0.001. Thumb capillary lactate was elevated in patients with an abnormal AT (2.0 vs. 1.5 mmol/l; p = 0.019).

CONCLUSIONS

After 30 min of RA occlusion, patients with an abnormal AT showed significantly reduced blood flow to the thumb and increased thumb capillary lactate (compared with patients with a normal AT) suggestive of ischemia. Transradial cardiac catheterization should not be performed in patients with an abnormal AT.

Reversible ischaemia after raising a radial forearm flap with ulceration of three fingers in a cigarette smoker

The radial forearm flap is a standard method for the reconstruction of intraoral defects of soft tissues. We report the case of a middle-aged man who developed ischaemia in three fingers after a fasciocutaneous radial flap had been raised. The preoperative Allen test to diagnose occlusion of radial or ulnar artery was satisfactory. Soon after the operation the patient resumed smoking and four weeks later he developed ulcers on the thumb, index, and middle fingers. Only after he had stopped smoking and been given acetylsalicylic acid and heparin did blood flow and capillary hemoglobin oxygenation increase. As a result, his radial fingers recovered completely.

Salvage of an ischemic "kite" flap by arteriovenous supercharging

The neurovascular "kite" flap is a well-established procedure for single-stage reconstruction of soft-tissue defects in the thumb. Post-surgical ischemia of the flap due to poor inflow is a rare, but potential, complication. The authors describe a technique of arteriovenous supercharging that was successfully used to salvage such an ischemic flap.

The aesthetic mini wrap-around technique for thumb reconstruction

In the past 12 years, 16 thumb defects at, or distal to, the interphalangeal joint were reconstructed using a great toe mini wrap-around flap. A flap including the entire nail and most of the distal phalanx of the great toe was used. Fifteen of the grafts survived. The sensory recovery of the reconstructed thumb was good as assessed by 2-point discrimination test with an average of 10 mm (range 5-15), and there were no complaints of cold intolerance. This technique results in good cosmetic appearance, and all patients were pleased with the cosmetic aspect of the thumb and there was no significant morbidity at the great toe donor site. The final decision to reconstruct a distal thumb amputation is influenced by gender, job, and age of the patients. The great toe mini wrap-around flap is an excellent reconstruction technique in selected patients.

The primary use of venous grafts in thumb replantation

The authors describe modified thumb replantation technique. With this technique it is possible to avoid extensive mobilization of the digital arteries as well as incisions, particularly at the distal thumb phalanx, and therefore reduce further damage of the amputated part. Prior to the osteosynthesis a venous graft is harvested from the distal forearm or from the thenar area. Anastomosis between the venous graft and radial digital artery on the amputated part of the thumb is completed. Osteosynthesis of the bones with Kirchner wires follows. The venous graft is further anastomosed to the dorsal venous system of the stump. The arterial system is reconstructed with an anastomosis of the ulnar digital artery with a superficially positioned volar vein of the amputated part. The replantation technique described has proved effective in all cases when it was used.

Long-term digital blood flow after radial artery harvesting for coronary artery bypass grafting

OBJECTIVE

The radial artery is widely used as a bypass conduit in coronary artery bypass surgery, but the long-term flow readjustment in the hands and fingers induced by the removal of the radial artery is poorly understood.

METHODS

Using pulse-volume-recording plethysmography, digital blood flow was measured semiquantitatively in 24 patients immediately after harvesting of the radial artery for coronary artery bypass grafting (short-term group) and reassessed in 15 of these patients 3 years later (long-term group). Measurements taken from the fingers of the operated arms were evaluated and compared to those taken from the opposite or control arms. The short- and long-term changes in digital blood flow were also compared.

RESULTS

Postoperatively, there was an overall decrease in blood flow to all the fingers of the operated arms. There was also evidence of redistribution of digital blood flow favoring the thumb and index finger over the fourth and fifth fingers, with the same distribution pattern seen in the fingers of control arms. Over time, the digital blood flow in operated arms recovered to levels similar to those in control arms.

CONCLUSION

The study showed that there was an overall decrease in digital blood flow following radial artery harvesting. The resulting blood supply in the remaining ulnar artery still provided more flow to the thumb and index fingers than to the fourth and fifth fingers, indicating the existence of an autoregulatory mechanism operating to satisfy the physiologic needs of the fingers. The long-term results showed that the overall decrease in distal blood flow immediately after radial artery harvesting was significantly recovered by physiologic adaptation.

Sensate First Dorsal Metacarpal Artery Flap for Resurfacing Extensive Pulp Defects of the Thumb

Finding an appropriate soft-tissue grafting material to close a wound located over the distal phalanx of the thumb, especially the pulp region, can be a difficult task. A sensate first dorsal metacarpal artery flap, mobilized from the dorsum of the adjacent index finger and used as an island pedicle skin flap, can be useful for this purpose. The pedicle includes the ulnar branch of the first dorsal metacarpal artery, the dorsal veins, and the cutaneous branch of the radial nerve. Although this tiny artery is anatomically variable, safe dissection can be achieved by including the radial shaft periosteum of the secondary metacarpal bone and the ulnar head fascia of the first interosseous muscle. This approach has been used for 8 individuals with extensive pulp defects of the thumb over the past 3 years. Skin defects in all patients were combined with bone, joint, or tendon exposure. All flaps survived completely. This 1-stage procedure is reliable and technically simple. It provides sensate coverage to the pulp of the thumb but also avoids nerve repair or more complicated microsurgery.

Thumb metacarpal vascularized bone graft in long-standing scaphoid nonunion--a useful graft via dorsal or palmar approach: a cohort study of 24 patients

PURPOSE

Long-standing scaphoid nonunion preferentially is treated by using a vascularized bone graft because of its superiority in achieving bone healing. In the present study nonunion was repaired using a bone graft raised from the thumb metacarpal and vascularized by the first dorsal metacarpal artery.

METHODS

Twenty-four patients with scaphoid nonunion for longer than 5 years, without ligament injuries and panarthrosis, had surgery. According to the location of the nonunion and presence of dorsal intercalated segment instability deformity, surgery was performed by either a dorsal or palmar approach. The patients had a final clinical and radiographic evaluation 12 months after surgery.

RESULTS

Complete healing was shown in 21 patients but incomplete healing was observed in the remaining 3 patients. After surgery patients had marked pain relief, with an improved range of motion and grasping strength. Anatomic restoration of carpal angles and scaphoid length was observed. None of the patients required additional surgery. Before surgery 15 patients presented radiographic signs of wrist arthrosis. During surgery, however, cartilage erosion on the proximal pole or on the radius articular surface was not confirmed. Despite the presence of radiographic arthrosis, wrist symptoms, motion, and grasping strength improved after surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-standing scaphoid nonunion, even in the presence of limited arthrosis, can be treated with surgery and healing promoted by a vascularized bone graft. Because of its versatility for use by dorsal or palmar approach and reliability, the first dorsal metacarpal artery vascularized bone graft represents our method of choice.

Mehrfachvarietäten der Handarterien (Fallbeschreibung, Short communication)

A human hand was injected with red-coloured gelatine. There, three varieties in the arterious blood supply were detected. (1) The radial artery directly ramifies to branches for the forefinger and the middle finger, (2) The radial artery divides an the dorsum manus, (3) A branch from the superficial palmar arc contributes to the supply of the thumb.

Free Dorsoulnar Perforator Flap Transfers for the Reconstruction of Severely Injured Digits

The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of transferring the free dorsoulnar perforator flap nourished by the cutaneous perforator branched dorsoulnar artery to reconstruct severely injured fingers under upper arm anesthesia. Between April of 2001 and April of 2002, 13 free dorsoulnar perforator flaps were used in 13 patients. There were 11 men and two women ranging in age from 18 to 64 years, with an average age of 38 years. The affected fingers were one thumb, four index fingers, five middle fingers, two ring fingers, and one little finger. All cases were performed under upper arm anesthesia combined with intravenous local anesthesia. The operative time ranged from 103 to 140 minutes, with an average time of 120 minutes. The flap size ranged from 1 x 3 to 3 x 4 cm, and was transferred from the same forearm of the injured finger. All donor sites were closed primarily without a skin graft. The aim of reconstruction for fingers was to repair a traumatic defect (five cases), partial necrosis following replantation (two cases), and soft-tissue defects resulting from resection of a scar (three cases) and to revascularize ischemic fingers (three cases). All flaps survived completely. After repair of the flow-through circulation of the common digital artery and ischemic finger, a postoperative angiogram showed the vascular patency and hypervascularity of the reconstructed fingers, and the patients' complaints were reduced. The free dorsoulnar perforator flap under regional anesthesia is first reported; it may become one valuable option as a very small flap for the treatment of repairing intercalated or segmental defects as a flow-through flap for soft-tissue defects and ischemic fingers.

Microsurgical Replantation of a Small Segment of Thumb Volar Skin

This report presents a case of microsurgical replantation of a volar skin segment of the thumb. In a 24-year-old patient, a heavy object falling over the dominant thumb resulted in a crush-avulsion injury of a pure skin segment measuring 4 x 2 cm. Examination revealed that the distal fingertip as well as the bone-tendon structures remained intact. Exploration demonstrated that both neurovascular bundles were included in the avulsed skin segment. Microsurgical replantation was achieved successfully, repairing the radial digital artery at both ends with vein grafts as well as anastomosing a palmar vein. Both digital nerves were coapted proximally and distally. An excellent functional and cosmetic result was accomplished with a good sensory recovery. The authors conclude that microsurgical replantation should be attempted in cases of more proximal pure skin avulsions, even if the injury spares distal fingertip tissue or bone-tendon units. In such cases, replantation is superior to any other method of reconstruction. Liberal use of vein grafts is crucial to achieve success.

Microvascularization of the human digit as studied by corrosion casting

The aim of this study was to describe microcirculation in the human digit, focusing on the vascular patterns of its cutaneous and subcutaneous areas. We injected a functional supranumerary human thumb (Wassel type IV) with a low-viscosity acrylic resin through its digital artery. The tissues around the vessels were then digested in hot alkali and the resulting casts treated for scanning electron microscopy. We concentrated on six different areas: the palmar and dorsal side of the skin, the eponychium, the perionychium, the nail bed and the nail root. On the palmar side, many vascular villi were evident: these capillaries followed the arrangement of the fingerprint lines, whereas on the dorsal side they were scattered irregularly inside the dermal papillae. In the hypodermal layer of the palmar area, vascular supports of sweat glands and many arteriovenous anastomoses were visible, along with glomerular-shaped vessels involved in thermic regulation and tactile function. In the eponychium and perionychium, the vascular villi followed the direction of nail growth. In the face of the eponychium in contact with the nail, a wide-mesh net of capillaries was evident. In the nail bed, the vessels were arranged in many longitudinal trabeculae parallel to the major axis of the digit. In the root of the nail, we found many columnar vessels characterized by multiple angiogenic buttons on their surface.

[Reconstruction of soft tissue defects of the fingers using homodigital V-Y flap]

A series of 54 patients is presented in which full-thickness soft-tissue defects on 57 digits were reconstructed using homodigital V-Y flaps. This is a modification of the Moberg procedure, which was designed for coverage of injuries of distal thumb. The V-Y flap is pedicled on two digital neurovascular bundles, possible advancement is up to 2 cm, and V-shaped base of the flap allows direct closure of the proximal defect, without skin grafting. This technique was used for the reconstruction both volar and dorsal tissue defects of the fingers. All flaps healed within 2-4 weeks. 14 patients (15 fingers) were evaluated after they recovered. In all affected fingers active range of motion was satisfactory, only with slight defect of extension in 2 cases. However, sensation of the light touch was decreased in 10 fingers, and 2PD discrimination was abnormal in 5 fingers. The versatility of V-Y technique in various clinical occasions and its low risk of complications was emphasized. This method is very useful, easy to learn even for trainees unfamiliar with microsurgery.

Thumb amputations from team roping

BACKGROUND

Thumb injuries during team roping have elements of both avulsion and crush, resulting in a poor prognosis for replantation success.

PURPOSE

To review 19 cases of thumb amputation from team roping at our institution since 1983.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

METHODS

Cases were included in the study only if a microvascular repair of artery and vein was needed for the thumb to survive. Vein grafts were used to span the damaged vessel segment. Of the 19 thumb amputation cases, 15 attempts were made to replant the thumb. In the remaining four cases, patients had bone shortening and primary closure. The force of injury was calculated based on mechanism.

RESULTS

Of the 15 attempts at replantation, only 5 (33%) were successful, despite meticulous technique. One patient subsequently had an emergency toe-to-thumb transfer after an unsuccessful replant, and the remaining nine underwent amputation. Nine of the 10 patients with failed replants had poor flow intraoperatively. In the group of patients younger than 15, the success was 3 of 5 (60%) and in the group 15 years or older the success was 2 of 10 attempts (20%.) Follow-up was available in 13 of the 15 cases of replanted thumbs.

CONCLUSIONS

All patients were subjectively satisfied with their results, and all patients with successful replants and seven patients with no thumb returned to rodeo. Biomechanical analysis showed a huge amount of force and pressure, several times larger than that of ring avulsion injury, results when a steer pulls on the thumb.