A patient with macrodystrophia lipomatosa bilaterally affecting the entire upper extremity: reporting of a rare case and literature review.

The patient, a 58-year-old Asian female, had the progressive, bilateral overgrowth of the entire upper extremity since her childhood and has undergone debulking surgery twice in her country. However, overgrowth progressed after surgery. The patient was diagnosed with Macrodystrophia lipomatosa (MDL) by physical and imaging findings in our departments.

Use of Distal Hypothenar Perforator Free Flaps for Pulp Defects.

Background: A hypothenar perforator free flap, which is harvested from the palm, is suitable for reconstruction of a finger pulp skin defect, but this flap has rarely been reported, and most of these flaps in previous published reports were designed on the proximal zone of the hypothenar area. In the present report, hypothenar perforator free flaps on the distal zone, namely distal hypothenar perforator free flaps, including two sensate flaps, were used for four cases with pulp defects. Methods: Four distal hypothenar perforator free flaps were used for four patients with skin defects of the finger pulp, including one thumb, two index fingers, and one little finger. The average period from the injury to reconstruction was 30.3 days (range 21 to 47 days). The age of the patients ranged from 49 to 68 years, and the flap size ranged from 18 × 30 to 25 × 45 mm2. Two cutaneous branches of the ulnar palmar digital nerve of the little finger were harvested for the sensate flaps. At final follow-up, sensory restoration of the flap was measured using the Semmes-Weinstein monofilament test and the static two-point discrimination test. Results: All donor sites were closed directly, and all flaps survived totally. The average postoperative period was 12 months (range 5 to 15 months). The Semmes-Weinstein monofilament test was all blue (3.61, 3.22, 3.61) for the three flaps followed-up for more than 12 months, including two sensate flaps and one insensate flap. The surgical scars were inconspicuous, and there were no donor site complications. Conclusions: We consider that a distal hypothenar perforator free flap has a high degree of usability for a medium-sized defect such as the whole finger pulp. In the future, whether sensory nerve branches of this flap should be sutured will need to be clarified.

Free Thoracoacromial Artery Perforator Flap for Skin Defects of the Dorsal Hand.

Various flaps are used for skin defects of the dorsal hand and fingers. A sensory flap is not essential, but a thin and good color-matched flap is suitable, and donor site mobility of the flap should be considered. A reverse or free posterior interosseous artery perforator flap is one of the standard flaps. This flap requires no major arterial sacrifice, but direct closure of the donor site is difficult when the width of the flap is >3 cm, and there is also the risk of posterior interosseous nerve injury, especially the motor branch of the extensor carpi ulnaris muscle. The deltoid or acromial branch of the thoracoacromial artery has a large skin perforator, and this perforator is the vascular pedicle of the free thoracoacromial artery perforator flap. This flap is not bulky, is pliable and well color-matched for the dorsal hand, and direct closure of the donor site is easier than the posterior interosseous artery perforator flap. A free thoracoacromial artery perforator flap based on the deltoid or acromial branch is a good option for dorsal hand and finger reconstruction.

Suspension Arthroplasty for Old Fracture-Dislocations of the Fifth Carpometacarpal Joint.

It is well known that treatment of the old fracture-dislocations of the fifth carpometacarpal (CMC) joint is challenging. For patients with persistent pain due to this condition, numerous surgical techniques have been proposed. Here, we present a novel surgical technique, CMC joint suspension arthroplasty, using a partial slip of the extensor carpi ulnaris tendon. This procedure follows principles similar to the procedure of trapeziectomy with suspension arthroplasty for treatment of thumb CMC joint arthritis. We believe this suspension arthroplasty has several advantages compared with other surgical procedures. First, mobility of the fifth metacarpal is greatly preserved because the fifth metacarpal is stabilized only by the ligament against the fourth metacarpal. Second, the length of the fifth ray can be maintained by adjusting the level of the drill hole of the fourth metacarpal. Third, malrotation of the little finger can be prevented by drilling the holes of the fifth and fourth metacarpals in the proper direction. We believe this surgical technique could be a better treatment option for degenerative arthrosis of the fifth CMC joint.

Surgical Management of Unilateral Soft Tissue Swelling around the Proximal Interphalangeal Joint in an Adolescent: A Case Report of Pachydermodactyly.

Pachydermodactyly (PDD) is a rare and benign acquired form of digital fibromatosis, characterized by asymptomatic fusiform soft tissue hypertrophy of the lateral aspect of the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints of the fingers. The etiology of PDD remains unknown, but it usually affects healthy males around the age of puberty. It can be misdiagnosed as inflammatory rheumatic diseases, especially as juvenile chronic arthritis. Here, we report a case of PDD in an 18-year-old man who had progressive fusiform swelling of the PIP joint on his left middle finger. Although he had no pain or functional limitation of movement, he chose to undergo surgical resection of the lesion to obtain a conclusive diagnosis and to rectify the deformity's appearance. Histologically, the lesion was characterized by coarse fibrosis in the adipose tissue, peripheral nerve fibers, and eccrine glands; this is compatible with a diagnosis of PDD.

[Examination of the Prevention of Severe Hand Trauma Injury Cases due to Occupational Accidents--An Expert Opinion Gathering Meeting].

We gathered seven specialists from various fields who are interested in worker injury prevention programs, based on cases of patients who had suffered refractory injuries requiring hand surgery because of industrial accidents. The patients were asked to write their thoughts and ideas on the theme, "Measures that must be implemented to prevent arm injuries." The content obtained was classified into different categories, using the KJ method, and was scripted to sort out the items. As a result, the following eleven points were identified as measures to prevent serious hand surgery-related injuries: 1. Purchase safe machinery, 2. Create a list of machines that require caution, 3. Enclose a machine's various rotating parts, 4. Carry out periodic maintenance work on the machines, 5. Indicate dangerous areas by putting up signs that attract attention, 6. Illuminate the rotating parts more brightly and avoid placing objects around them, 7. Systematically carry out safety education that creates a strong impact, 8. Encourage workers to look after their own health, 9. Announce policies on health and safety, 10. Re-examine the operational procedures, and 11. Be prepared in case an accident occurs. A perspective based on the results of this research is deemed important in creating a workplace improvement manual in the future.

Negative Pressure Wound Therapy with Surgical Gloves to Repair Soft Tissue Defects in Hands.

The efficacy of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) in the treatment of skin defect wounds has been established, but it is difficult to apply to hand surgery because of the easy occurrence of air leaks. We report two cases of performing NPWT with surgical gloves. Case1: A 37-year-old male was injured on his right dorsal hand from a punch. He presented to our hospital three days after the injury because of swelling and pain. The wound was infected and contused, so wound lavage and debridement (W&D) were performed under local anesthesia. The infected condition didn't improve after antimicrobial infusion, so W&D were performed again 8 days after the first visit. Then W&D were performed every day, and the infection subsided 15 days after the first visit. NPWT was initiated for the purpose of managing exudate and the wound condition, and healthy granulation tissue formed gradually. Finally, transpositional flap and full-thickness skin graft were performed on day 29. Case2: A 43-year-old male accidentally sustained a high pressure injection of oil into his dorsal hand. He presented to our hospital the next day, and W&D were performed. W&D were performed again two days after the first visit, and artificial dermis was applied over a part of the wound that was impossible to close. A decision was made to apply NPWT and a surgical glove for the purpose of reducing swelling and managing wound exudate. The swelling decreased and granulation tissue formed gradually, then nine days after the first visit a sural nerve graft was applied to bridge the defective area, and a full thickness skin graft was applied. We achieved good wound closure and hand function recovery after using NPWT and a surgical glove.

Use of free ipsilateral gastrocnemius flap for coverage of distal third tibial defect after Gustilo type III open fracture.

The traditional pedicled gastrocnemius muscle flap has often been used to repair soft-tissue defects caused by trauma. However, it is difficult to cover skin defects in the distal third of the lower extremity because of its range of excursion. We have attempted use of a free ipsilateral gastrocnemius muscle flap for coverage of skin defects in the distal third of the lower extremity. In three patients with skin defects due to Gustilo type III open fractures, a free gastrocnemius flap was used for coverage of the same leg. The follow-up period ranged from 12 months to 2 years. Microsurgical anastomosis of the vascular pedicle to the tibialis posterior vessels was performed by end-to-side anastomosis proximally to the ankle. The postoperative course was uneventful and showed stable coverage of the wound. All free flaps were successfully transferred, and the defects healed primarily. Bone fusion in all of the patients in this series progressed satisfactorily. This free muscle flap is useful for reconstruction of defects in the distal third of the lower extremity in Gustilo III open fractures.