Comparison of two types of flaps based on dorsal cutaneous branch of proper palmar digital artery for repair of wound of fingertip or finger-pulp / 中华显微外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To compare the clinical effectiveness of propeller flap and vascular chain flap based on dorsal cutaneous branch of proper palmar digital artery for repair of wounds of fingertip or finger-pulp.Methods:From April 2018 to May 2021, a total of 55 patients (55 fingers) with wounds of fingertip or finger-pulp in the 2nd-5th fingers were treated in emergency surgery in the Department of Hand Surgery, the Second Hospital of Tangshan. The patients were randomly divided into 2 groups by the method of drawing lots. The wounds of 29 patients (29 fingers) were repaired by propeller flaps based on dorsal cutaneous branch of proper palmar digital artery (propeller group) and that of 26 patients(26 fingers) were treated by vascular chain flaps based on dorsal cutaneous branch of proper palmar digital artery(vascular chain group). Survival of the flaps and the skin grafts at donor sites were observed between the 2 groups. The operation and follow-up time in both groups were recorded. Postoperative follow-up included outpatient clinic visits, telephone reviews and WeChat video-clips. At final follow-up, the static TPD of the flaps, patient satisfaction with the appearance of flaps and donor sites and the Range of motion(ROM) of the injured fingers were recorded. The measurement and count data of both groups were compared by independent sample t-test, χ2 tests or Fisher's exact test, respectively. P<0.05 was considered a statistically significant. Results:All the flaps and skin grafts survived primarily in both groups. The operation time in propeller group was 57.55 minutes±4.35 minutes. It was less than what in the vascular chain group (61.12 minutes±4.58 minutes) and with statistically significant difference( P<0.05). The follow-up period was 14.55 months±2.89 months in propeller group and 15.15 months±3.78 months in the vascular chain group. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups( P>0.05). At final follow-up, the static TPD and patient satisfaction with the appearance of flaps in propeller group were 6.55 mm±1.24 mm and 4.59±0.50, which were better than 7.46 mm±1.27 mm and 4.31±0.47 in the vascular chain group with a statistically significant difference( P<0.05). The patient satisfaction with the appearance of donor sites and ROM of the injured digital joints in propeller group were 4.45±0.57 and 190.86°±8.56°, while what in the vascular chain group were 4.35±0.56 and 185.96°±10.58°. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups( P>0.05). Conclusion:The propeller flap and vascular chain flap are both based on dorsal cutaneous branch of proper palmar digital artery and are both suitable for repair of wounds of fingertip or finger-pulp. Compared with the vascular chain flap, the propeller flap has the advantages in shorter operation time, better flap sensation and appearance.