Reconstruction of Wassel IV-D radial polydactyly with a boot-shaped neurovascular island flap: A Consecutive series of 91 thumbs.

INTRODUCTION: Reconstruction of Wassel IV-D radial polydactyly is challenging and requires a custom strategy dependent on the relative size and shape of the radial and ulnar duplicates. Herein, we describe a technique using a boot-shaped neurovascular island flap and review our outcomes. METHODS: Ninety-one consecutive patients had reconstruction with a boot-shaped neurovascular island flap. The flap was dissected out from the thumb to be removed. Specific flap modifications were inclusion of the lateral nail fold, Bruner incisions dorsally and volarly to reduce scarring at the interphalangeal (IP) joint and also complete mobilization of the island flap on its pedicle to allow easier inset. A flexor pollicis longus and extensor tendon rebalancing technique was used to correct the deviation of the reconstructed thumb IP joint. RESULTS: All boot-shaped neurovascular island flaps survived with good contour, shape, and symmetry. The average follow-up period was 25 months (range 6-60 months). Using the Japanese Society for Surgery of the Hand (JSSH) score for classification of outcomes, seven cases were classified as excellent and 84 cases as good. The median JSSH score was 18. The median Kapandji score for opposition was 9 (range 8-10). CONCLUSION: Using a boot-shaped neurovascular island flap completely mobilized on its pedicle with a custom strategy for each radial duplicate, good outcomes can be achieved in reconstruction of Wassel IV-D radial polydactyly. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level IV.

Modified Great Toe Wraparound Flap with Preservation of Plantar Triangular Flap for Reconstruction of Degloving Injuries of the Thumb and Fingers: Long-Term Follow-Up.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this article is to report the authors' experience with the use of the modified great toe wraparound flap with preservation of a plantar triangular flap for reconstructing degloving injuries of the thumb and fingers. METHODS: Between 2007 and 2012, 31 patients underwent reconstruction with 37 flaps. Twenty-seven patients underwent reconstruction with 31 flaps for a degloved thumb and fingers, and four patients underwent reconstruction with six flaps for degloved fingers only. A modified great toe wraparound flap with second toe medial toe hemipulp flap on a common pedicle was used for reconstruction of degloved fingers in four patients. Twelve patients had long-term follow-up, with a mean duration of 5 years (range, 2 to 8 years). RESULTS: All flaps survived. The contour of the reconstructed digits was similar to the contralateral one. In patients with long-term follow-up, mean two-point discrimination of reconstructed digits was 6.2 mm (range, 3 to 8 mm). Mean Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire score was 0.8 ± 1.0. Mean Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire score was 87.3 ± 3.7. Mean Foot and Ankle Disability Index score was 95.5 ± 2.7. The width of the preserved plantar triangular flap expanded from 35 percent to 67 percent of the width of the great toe and completely covered the weight-bearing area. CONCLUSIONS: Reconstruction of degloved thumb and fingers with a modified great toe wraparound flap, preserving a plantar triangular flap, results in excellent contour and functional outcome. Donor-site morbidity in the foot was minimal. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.

Delayed treatment of unstable proximal interphalangeal joint fracture-dislocations with a dynamic external fixator.

BACKGROUND: Fracture-dislocations of the proximal interphalangeal joint (PIPJ) remain a challenging problem to treat. Although there are a number of papers describing the use of dynamic external fixators and force couples for treatment of unstable PIPJ fracture-dislocations acutely, the literature is scarce on delayed treatment of PIPJ fracture-dislocations, where malunion of the articular surface may theoretically compromise postoperative range of motion (ROM) at the PIPJ. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of dynamic distraction external fixation (DDEF) for the delayed treatment of PIPJ fracture-dislocations at least 3 weeks after the inciting injury. METHODS: Ten consecutive patients were treated with delayed DDEF between 2010 and 2013. Postoperative ROM at the PIPJ was measured. Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score and Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire were administered to all patients postoperatively. RESULTS: Mean time from injury to surgery was 27.5 days. The mean follow-up period was 23.7 months (range 10-36). The mean active ROM at the PIPJ on final postoperative follow-up was 83.9° (range 52-100). None of the patients experienced pin-tract infections. Mean DASH score was 3.7+3.4 and mean Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire score was 97.3+3.0. All patients returned to work and resumed normal activities. CONCLUSIONS: Delayed treatment of unstable PIPJ fracture-dislocations with a DDEF is effective in restoring function to the PIPJ. Nascent malunion of the PIPJ articular surface does not compromise postoperative outcomes and the joint surface undergoes remodelling over time to restore a smooth and functional articular surface.

Innervated Digital Artery Perforator Propeller Flap for Reconstruction of Lateral Oblique Fingertip Defects.

PURPOSE: To report our experience with the use of a digital artery perforator propeller flap based on a constant distal perforator in the middle phalanx for resurfacing of lateral oblique fingertip amputations. METHODS: Twelve fingertips in 10 patients underwent reconstruction, with a mean follow-up of 8 months (range, 8-12 mo). The size of the flaps ranged from 2.5 × 1.5 cm to 3.0 × 2.0 cm. RESULTS: All flaps survived entirely and restored a rounded fingertip contour. Mean static 2-point discrimination was 5 mm (range, 4-6 mm). With the exception of 1 patient with an amputation at the distal interphalangeal joint, the distal interphalangeal joint was preserved in all patients and had 30° to 60° of motion at final follow-up. No patients complained of cold intolerance or residual joint contracture. No hooked nail deformity occurred in patients who had remaining nailbed. CONCLUSIONS: The digital artery perforator propeller flap is particularly suited to coverage of a lateral oblique fingertip defect, because only a 90° rotation is required when inset, and the bulk of the flap serves to restore the rounded contour of the fingertip. The skin over the entire dorsal surface of the middle phalanx can be elevated as a flap, providing adequate tissue to resurface the defect and restore a rounded contour to the fingertip. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic IV.

[The clinical experience in transplantation of the anterolateral femoral skin flap].

OBJECTIVE: To introduce the clinical experience in transplantation of the anterolateral femoral skin flap. METHODS: A total of 625 anterolateral femoral skin flaps in 600 patients were transplanted from 1988 to 2003. The retrospective analysis was carried out in all the cases as to the flap pedicle, the vascular variations, the surgical procedures and modifications, and the adaptation for a cutaneous-branch-absent flap. RESULTS: The 625 flaps were transferred except 7 cancelled in the operation. Postoperatively, 17 cases encountered vascular complications, 10 of which survived completely with successful vessel exploration, 3 cases had partial necrosis, and 4 cases had complete necrosis. The survival rate was 97.8%. 545 flaps were pedicled with the descending branch or lateral branches; 45 flaps with the transverse branch or the high-site anterolateral cutaneous artery, 10 cases with the descending-transverse branch, 18 cases with other vessels. 7 cases were found cutaneous-branch-absent. The vessel variation rate of the flap was 4.06%. CONCLUSIONS: The anterolateral femoral skin flap has less variation of its pedicle and high success rate of operation. It is an ideal choice for repair of soft tissue defects in the extremities.