Objective To investigate an operative method of repairing large skin defect of the forearm and the hand. Methods From July 2003 to September 2008, 11 patients with large skin defect of the forearm and the hand were repaired using bilateral groin flaps in complex with abdominal flaps, including 7 males and 4 females aged 17-55 years old (average33.5 years old). Among the 11 cases, 5 were caused by carding machine and 4 by traffic accident, and the interval between injury and operation was 90 minutes to 6 hours (average 3.5 hours); 2 cases suffered from severe cicatricial contracture deformity in the late stage of burn injury, and the interval between injury and operation was 7 months and 19 months, respectively. The size of skin defect ranged from 42 cm × 12 cm to 60 cm × 16 cm. The flaps harvested during operation was 45.0 cm × 10.5 cm - 62.0 cm × 18.0 cm in size. Pedicle division of the combined flaps was performed 4 weeks after operation. The donor site wound was repaired by direct suturing in 7 cases and by free skin grafting in 4 cases. Results All flaps survived. All incisions healed by first intention. The donor site wound all healed by first intention. Skin graft all survived. All patients were followed up for 2 months to 3 years. The flaps were soft in texture, full in contour, and normal in color. Sensory recovery of the flaps was evaluated according to the Criteria of UK Medical Research Council (1954), 4 cases were in grade S1, 6 in grade S2, and 1 in grade S3. Hand function was assessed by the Criteria of Chinese Hand Surgery Society, 7 cases were graded as excellent, 2 as good, 2 as poor, and the excellent and good rate was 81.8%. Conclusion Combined use of bilateral groin flaps and abdominal flap is an effective approach to repair large skin defect of the forearm and the hand due to its simple operative procedure and satisfying effect.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of reconstruction of forearm interosseous membrane (IOM) using extensor carpi radialis longus combined with radial head replacement for restoring the forearm longitudinal stability. MethodsTen fresh-frozen adult cadaveric forearms were selected, including 8 males and 2 females with a mean age of 38.2 years (range, 29-74 years). Each forearm was treated as following steps: radial head excision (group A), radial head excision+the distal ulnar radial joints separation (group B), radial head excision+the distal ulnar radial joints separation+IOM central band excision (group C), reconstructed IOM with extensor carpi radialis longus tendon (group D), radial head prothesis replacement (group E), and reconstructed IOM with extensor carpi radialis longus tendon+radial head prothesis replacement (group F). The distance between ulna and radius and radioulnar joint displacement were observed under load and non load. The force loading on both ends of specimen was recorded when the radius shifted 5 mm proximally. ResultsRestoring the radial length could maintain normal distance between radius and ulna. The interosseous membrance reconstruction could restore the load transmission between radius and ulna. The force loading specimen was (74.507±4.967), (49.227±1.940), (17.827±1.496), (24.561±1.390), (140.247±8.029), and (158.423±9.142)N in groups A, B, C, D, E, and F respectively when the radius shifted 5 mm proximally, showing significant difference among groups (P < 0.01). ConclusionReconstruction of the IOM with the extensor carpi radialis longus tendon is insufficient to restore the forearm longitudinal stability. Reconstruction using extensor carpi radialis longus tendon combined with radial head replacement may be a new choice for treatment of forearm longitudinal instability.
ObjectiveTo explore the effectiveness of the free anastomosis cutaneous nerve double arterialized venous flap graft in repairing finger defect. MethodsBetween 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×1 cm to 4 cm×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×1.5 cm to 4.5 cm×2.5 cm. The donor site was directly sutured. ResultsTension 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. ConclusionThe free anastomosis cutaneous nerve double arterialized 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.
ObjectiveTo explore the effectiveness and method of Ilizarov technology for the treatment of infected forearm nonunion. MethodsBetween January 2004 and March 2014, 19 patients with infected forearm nonunion were treated, including 12 males and 7 females with a mean age of 37.4 years (range, 18-62 years). The injury causes included traffic accident in 11 patients, falling from height in 4 patients, and machine twist injury in 4 patients. The patients had received surgical treatment for 1-5 times (mean, 2.7 times). Bone defects located at the radius in 10 cases, at the ulna in 7 cases, and at the radius and ulna in 2 cases. The mean time of chronic infection was 8.3 months (range, 4-16 months). The mean length of the bone defects after debridement was 3.54 cm (range, 2.2-7.5 cm). Under the guidance of C-arm fluoroscope, the Orthofix unilateral external fixator was used to fix. Distraction was performed at 7-10 days after operation, and X-ray film was taken regularly to detect the osteogenesis. ResultsThe mean external fixation time was 6.5 months (range, 3-12 months), and the mean external fixation index was 1.72 months/cm (range, 1.14-2.15 months/cm). All patients were followed up for 35.4 months on average (range, 24-55 months). The bone union time was 3-11 months (mean, 6 months); and no recurrence of infection was observed. At last follow-up, the mean wrist range of motion (ROM) were 52.78° (range, 42-55°) in flexion and 46.53° (range, 40-60°) in extension; the mean elbow ROM were 139.23° (range, 130-150°) in flexion and 3.57° (range, 0-20°) in extension; and the mean forearm ROM were 76.68° (range, 68-90°) in pronation and 81.75° (range, 72-90°) in supination. ConclusionIlizarov technology for infected forearm nonunion can acquire satisfactory clinical results. Radical debridement is the key to control bone infection.
ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical application of the forearm interosseous dorsal artery perforator sublobe flaps in repairing two wounds in dorsal hand or wrist. MethodsBetween October 2009 and October 2012, 12 patients with two wounds in the dorsal hand or wrist were included in the study. There were 4 cases of skin defects (grade IV) and bone exposure caused by machine injury, 3 cases of skin defects with bone and tendon exposure caused by traffic accident, and 3 cases of skin defect and tendon exposure caused by crash injury of heavy object, with a duration of 3-12 hours (mean, 6 hours) between injury and admission; defects in the wrist and tendon exposure were caused by tumor resection in 2 cases. Four cases had metacarpal fractures. The size of larger skin and soft tissue defects ranged from 4.0 cm×3.5 cm to 5.0 cm×3.0 cm, and the size of smaller defects was from 2.5 cm×2.0 cm to 4.0 cm×3.0 cm. The flap size was from 6 cm×4 cm to 8 cm×3 cm and 3.0 cm×2.5 cm to 5.0 cm×3.0 cm. The donor sites were directly sutured or repaired with free skin graft. ResultsAll the flaps survived, and wound healed in first stage. All the cases were followed up 6-36 months (mean, 20 months). The flaps had good color and texture. Three cases underwent secondary surgery of thinning the flaps. At last follow-up, two-point discrimination of flaps was 10-14 mm, 12 mm on average. According to function standard for evaluation of upper extremity with total active motion of the fingers from the Hand Surgery Society of Chinese Medical Association, the results were excellent in 10 cases, and good in 2 cases. ConclusionForearm interosseous dorsal artery perforators sublobe flaps can be used to repair two wounds in the dorsal hand or wrist simultaneously, and it has the advantages of simple operation, less injury at donor site, and reliable blood supply.
Objective To provide the anatomical basis of contralateral C7 root transfer for the recovery of the forearm flexor function. Methods Thirty sides of adult anti-corrosion specimens were used to measure the length from the end of nerves dominating forearm flexor to the anastomotic stoma of contralateral C7 nerve when contralateral C7 nerve transfer was used for repair of brachial plexus lower trunk and medial cord injuries. The muscle and nerve branches were observed. The length of C7 nerve, C7 anterior division, and C7 posterior division was measured. Results The length of C7 nerve, anterior division, and posterior division was (58.8 ± 4.2), (15.4 ± 6.7), and (8.8 ± 4.4) mm, respectively. The lengths from the anastomotic stoma to the points entering muscle were as follow: (369.4 ± 47.3) mm to palmaris longus, (390.5 ± 38.8) mm (median nerve dominate) and (413.6 ± 47.4) mm (anterior interosseous nerve dominate) to the flexor digitorum superficialis, (346.2 ± 22.3) mm (median nerve dominate) and (408.2 ± 23.9) mm (anterior interosseous nerve dominate) to the flexor digitorum profundus of the index and the middle fingers, (344.2 ± 27.2) mm to the flexor digitorum profundus of the little and the ring fingers, (392.5 ± 29.2) mm (median nerve dominate) and (420.5 ± 37.1) mm (anterior interosseous nerve dominate) to the flexor pollicis longus, and (548.7 ± 30.0) mm to the starting point of the deep branch of ulnar nerve. The branches of the anterior interosseous nerve reached to the flexor hallucis longus, the deep flexor of the index and the middle fingers and the pronator quadratus muscle, but its branches reached to the flexor digitorum superficials in 5 specimens (16.7%). The branches of the median nerve reached to the palmaris longus and the flexor digitorum superficial, but its branches reached to the deep flexor of the index and the middle fingers in 10 specimens (33.3%) and to flexor hallucis longus in 6 specimens (20.0%). Conclusion If sural nerve graft is used, the function of the forearm muscles will can not be restored; shortening of humerus and one nerve anastomosis are good for forearm flexor to recover function in clinical.
ObjectiveTo introduce the surgical method and effectiveness of repairing skin and soft tissue defect in the palm or dorsum of the hand and forearm with epigastric bilobed flap. MethodsBetween October 2010 and December 2013, 4 male patients with skin and soft tissue defect in the palm or dorsum of the hand and forearm were treated, aged from 36 to 62 years. Of them, 3 cases had degloving injury caused by machines and 1 case had necrosis of fingers and skin after surgery of crush injury. The time from injury to hospitalization was from 3 hours to 15 days. Among the 4 cases, the size of palmar defect was 7 cm×4 cm to 16 cm×6 cm, and the size of dorsal defect was 10 cm×7 cm to 20 cm×10 cm. The epigastric bilobed flap was designed based on the axial vessel which was formed by inferior epigastric artery, superior epigastric artery, and intercostals arteries. The size of flap ranged from 12 cm×4 cm to 18 cm×6 cm in the vertical direction, 15 cm×8 cm to 22 cm×11 cm in the oblique direction. The donor site was directly closed. The pedicles were cut at 22 to 24 days after repairing operation. ResultsAll the flaps survived well with the wound healing by first intention. Four patients were followed up 3 months to 1 year and 2 months. The other flaps had good appearance and texture except 1 bulky flap. The flap sensation basically restored to S2-S3. The function of the hands recovered well. ConclusionSkin and soft tissue defect in the palm or dorsum of the hand and forearm can be repaired with the epigastric bilobed flap, because it has such advantages as big dermatomic area and adequate blood supply. Besides, the operation is practical, safe, and simple.
Objective To investigate the clinical effect of free forearm flap and titanium mesh in repairing maxillary defects. Methods From January 2002 to November 2002,partial maxillectomy or maxillectomy wereperformed in 3 patients with maxillary gingival carcinoma, in 1 patient with palatine mucoepicermoid carcinoma and in 1 patient with maxillary sinus carcinoma. Maxillary defects were reconstructed withfree forearm flaps ranging from 4 cm×5 cm to 6 cm×7 cm and titanium mesh.The effect was estimated by clinical examination, CT and nasopharyngoscope. Results Five cases were followed up 515 months. All the flaps were alive. Facial, alveolar process and palatal contours were restored well. Epithelium was found on the nostril surface of the titanium mesh. The functions of speech and chew were restored well. Conclusion A combination of the free forearm flap and titanium mesh is an ideal method in reconstruction of maxillary defects.
The clinical experiences in the appieation of umbilical-thoracic skin flap in the coverage of the defect of the forearm in 9 cases were reported. The flap was supplied by the branches of inferior epigastric artery.The biggest flap was 8.5×28cm,the smallest one was 7× 16cm.All flaps surviVed.The results were satisfactory. The advantages of the flap were:(1)potients felt comfortable when the upper extremity was immobilized at the side of the they;(2)the size of skin taken from the do...
ObjectiveTo observe the effectiveness of the forearm free arterialized venous flap in repairing soft tissue defect of the hand. MethodsBetween December 2008 and January 2013, 49 cases of soft tissue defects of the hand were treated. There were 39 males and 10 females, aged 16-52 years (mean, 34 years). Defect was caused by crush injury in 34 cases, cutting injury in 7 cases, avulsion injury in 5 cases, and hot crush injury in 3 cases. The locations were index finger in 21 cases, middle finger in 14 cases, ring finger in 10 cases, little finger in 1 case, and the first web space and the dorsal palm in 3 cases. The duration of injury and admission was 2-10 hours (mean, 4.5 hours). The size of defects ranged from 2.5 cm×1.5 cm to 6.0 cm×4.5 cm. Of them, 46 cases had fracture of metacarpal or finger bone and/or injury of tendon and nerve. Emergency operation was performed in 43 cases and selective operation in 6 cases. All defects were repaired by free arterialized venous flap from the ipsilateral forearm, in which the proximal ends of veins were anastomosed to artery and vein of the finger. The flap size ranged from 3.5 cm×2.5 cm to 7.5 cm×5.3 cm. The donor site was directly sutured. ResultsSeven flaps survived which was similar to physiological free flap. Mild or medium swelling and blister were observed in 39 flaps and heavy swelling and partial necrosis occurred in 3 flaps after operation. The patients were followed up 6 months-2 years (mean, 13.5 months). The flaps had soft texture, slightly bulky appearance, and deeper color than normal skin. At last follow-up, the two-point discrimination was 16-22 mm (mean, 20 mm). According to the standard for functional evaluation issued by Hand Surgery Association of Chinese Medical Association, the results were excellent in 21 cases, good in 21 cases, fair in 3 cases, and poor in 4 cases. ConclusionIt is an ideal method to repair soft tissue defect of the hand to use forearm free arterialized venous flap. It has the advantages of massive area, no major blood vessel needed to be sacrificed, safe and easy operation, and satisfactory appearance.