• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.10-14
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• 1998

When covering a skin defect of the finger with a local flap is difficult, a vascular island flap is often used. For a palmar skin defect, it is desirable to add a sensory supply to the flap. This report describes a neurovascular island flap that was used to repair a palmar skin defect, the donor skin coming from the dorsal region of the middle phalanx. This flap is elevated with a vascular pedicle of the palmar digital artery and its dorsal skin branch, including the dorsal digital veins, palmar digital nerve and its cutaneous branches. The advantage of this flap are that it can be transferred with ease and without any tension. No special manipulation is required under a microscope and operation can be performed under a simple nerve-block. There if little possibility that the flap itself undergoes ischemic change or congestion. The disadvantage of this flap are that a skin graft is required at the donor skin site and one palmar digital aretery is lost. We think that this neurovascular island flap is one of the useful methods for skin defects that are difficult to cover with a local flap.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.169-174
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• 2001

Purpose : The problems of late deterioration of sensation and a double sensibility phenomenon are a known deficiency of the original neurovascular island flap. To eliminate this problems, the authors was performed to assess the results of Thumb-pulp loss reconstruction with a heterodigital neurovascular island Flap Using a Nerve Disconnecting-Reconnecting Technique Material and Methods : Between July. 1987 and November. 2000, we have used a disconnecting-reconnecting technique for heterodigital island flaps in which divided nerve of the transferred island flap is sutured to original nerve of the thumb in 9 patients. 9 patients with a mean follow-up period of 3.6 years were examined, while 7 patients were follow-up for 2years or more. Evaluation of results was based on flap quality, donor site quality, classic two-point sensory discrimination(2PD), and location of sensation(double sensibility), donor site cold intolerance, neuroma formation, scar contractures, total active movement(TAM) of the thumb and donor digit and subjective results and objective results. Results : The two-point discrimination was average 6.7 mm. Donor site paresthesia was observed more frequently in a short postoperative period. Sensation was referred to the thumb in all cases and the recovery occurred over a period of a two months. There were no flap complication or failures and the length of the thumb tip was preserved in all cases. Conclusion : This technique was found to provide well-vascularized pulp of the thumb with proper cortical representation in one operative stage.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.152-156
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• 2005

Purpose: We reconstructed the thumb with groin flap combined with secondary heterodigital neurovascular island flap and report our 6 cases. Materials and Methods: Between March 2003 and August 2004, 6 degloving thumbs or amputation of thumbs were reconstructed with groin flap combined with secondary heterodigital neurovascular island flap. There ware 4 men and 2 women, and mean age was 42.2 years. The following parameters were evaluated. Results: Recipient thumb was no limitation of apposition. but flexion contracture of interphalangeal joint was about 10 degree in two cases. Average grip power were 80% and average pinch power were 70% that of the normal thumb. The two point discrimination was average 10.5 mm and double sensibility in 2 cases. 2 patients have cold intolerance. Neuroma formation was not made. Cosmetic results as judged by patients were that 4 cases are good and 2 cases are fair. Conclusion: If massive skin defect after degloving thumb or amputation of thumb are present, we consider the numerous methods for reconstruction of thumb. This surgical procedure is good methods because of it's pliability, sensation, satisfactory functional results but major disadvantage are the staged operation and cosmetic effect of the absence of thumb nail.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.99-104
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• 2001

Purpose : Loss of sensibility over the finger tip resents a grave deficit and is an indication for sensible soft tissue reconstruction. This paper was performed to assess the long term results obtained by nerovascular island flap. Material and Methods : We performed neurovascular island graft for defective sensibility of finger tip loss in 94 cases since 1979 to 2000. The recipient sites were the thumb pulp defect in 79 cases, the amputated thumb in 9 cases, the amputated index in 4 cases, and the velar aspect of interphalangeal joint of thumb in 2 cases. The donor flaps were obtained from the radial side of ring finger in 63 cases, the ulnar side of the ring finger in 21 cases, and the ulnar side of the middle finger in 10 cases. A mean follow-up period was 5.7 years. Results : The flap quality was well vascularized and survived in 89 cases. The two-point discrimination was average 8.7mm. Because of scar contracture, the range of motion of the donor finger was decreased 3.5% of the normal finger in the distal interphalangeal joint, 8,2% in the proximal interphalangeal joint. A phenomenon of double sensibility occurred in 66 cases. Conclusion : This technique was excellent both aesthetically and functionally as a reconstruction of the Loss of fingertip.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.605-610
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• 2009

Purpose: Substantial tissue necrosis after snake bites requiring coverage with flap surgery is extremely rare. In this article, we report 7 cases of soft tissue defects in the upper and the lower extremities caused by snake bites, which needed to be covered with flaps. Among the vast mass of publications on snake bites there has been no report that focuses on flap coverage of soft tissue defects due to snake bite sequelae. Methods: Seven cases of soft tissue defects with tendon, ligament, or bone exposure after snake bites were included. All patients were males without comorbidities, the average age was 35 years. All of them required coverage with a flap. In 6 cases, the defect was localized on the upper extremity, in one case the lesion was on the lower extremity. Local flaps were used in 6 cases, one case was covered with a free flap. The surgical procedures included one kite flap, one cross finger flap and digital nerve reconstruction with a sural nerve graft, one reverse proximal phalanx island flap, one groin flap, one adipofascial flap, one neurovascular island flap, and one anterolateral thigh free flap. The average interval from injury to flap surgery was 23.7 days. Results: All flaps survived without complication. All patients regained a good range of motion in the affected extremity. Donor site morbidities were not observed. The case with digital nerve reconstruction recovered a static two point discrimination of 7 mm. The patient with foot reconstruction can wear normal shoes without a debulking procedure. Conclusion: The majority of soft tissue affection after snake bites can be treated conservatively. Some severe cases, however, may require the coverage with flap surgery after radical debridement, especially, if there is exposure of tendon, bone or neurovascular structures. There is no doubt that definite coverage should be performed as soon as possible. But we also want to point out that this principle must not lead to a premature coverage. If the surgeon is not certain that the wound is free of necrotic tissue or remnants of venom, it is better to take enough time to get a proper wound before flap surgery in order to obtain a good functional and cosmetic result.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.86-92
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• 2001

Failure of replantation is inevitable in finger replantation surgery, around 10% of failure rate are reported in many authors. Management of the failed finger replantation is one of big dilemma to microsurgeons. We report 5 cases of thumb reconstruction after failure of replantation. The reconstructive surgery composed with early debridement of soft tissue that are under gangrenous processing, extract the phalangeal bone without any soft tissues. Osteosynthesis of the extracted phalangeal bone with host phalangeal bone. The exposed bony portion covered with vascularized flaps such as revered radial forearm pedicled flap, free radial forearm flap and neurovascular island finger flap. This procedure underwent within a week after vascular insufficiency developed. All of the flaps are survived, bone union achieved within 3 months. The function and external appearance of the reconstructed thumb were encouraging; Pinch Power was average 1.2 Pounds. Early removal of necrotizing soft tissue followed by covering none vascular phalangeal bone which extracted from the dead phalanx with vascularized flap is one of the useful alterative solutions in failed replantation surgery in hand.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.86-92
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• 2007

Failure of reattachment of finger is inevitable in replantation surgery and that failure rate is about 10 % are reported in many authors. Management of the failed finger replantation is challenge to microsurgeons. We report 7 cases of thumb reconstruction after failure of replantation. The reconstructive surgery composed with early debridement of soft tissue that are under gangrenous processing, extract the phalangeal bone without any soft tissues. Osteosynthesis of the extracted phalangeal bone with host phalangeal bone. The exposed bony portion covered with vascularized flaps such as reverse radial forearm pedicled flap, free radial forearm flap and neurovascular island finger flap. This procedure underwent within a week after vascular insufficiency developed. All of the flaps are survived, bone union achieved within 3 months. The function and external appearance of the reconstructed thumb were encouraging; pinch power was average 1.2 pounds. Early removal of necrotizing soft tissue followed by covering none vascular phalangeal bone which extracted from the dead phalanx with vascularized flap is one of the useful alterative solutions in failed replantation surgery in hand.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.17-23
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• 1992

The authors analyzed the clinical results of the reconstructive surgery for injuried hand with microsurgery in 33 patients, 35 cases at the department of orthopaedic surgery, school of medicine, Kyung Hee university from 1985 to 1992 and the results were as followings. 1. There were 31 men and 4 women who had a mean age of 23 years(range, 3 to 44 years) and the follow up evaluations averaged 19 months. 2. The causes of the injury were machinery injury in 25 cases, traffic accident in 2, frostbite in 4, burn in 3 and fall down in 1. 3. For the reconstructive procedure, scapular free flap was applied in 6 cases, radial forearm flap in 7, dorsalis pedis free flap in 4, neurovascular island flap in 6, gracilis free flap in 1, wrap around flap in 6, toe to thumb in 5. 4. 32 cases(91.4%)were successful in reconstructive surgery with microsurgery exept the failure of scapular free flap in 2 cases and dorsalis pedis free flap in 1. 5. The causes of failure in scapular free flap were infection in 1 case and thrombosis in 1. In dorsalis pedis free flap, the cause of failure was infection. In the analysis of above results, the reconstruction with microsurgery was effective procedure for reconstruction of injuried hand.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.70-76
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• 1993

The authors analyzed the clinical results of the reconstructive surgery for injured hands and feet due to frostbites and electrical burn with microsurgery in 7 patients, 12 cases at the department of orthopaedic surgery, school of medicine, Kyung Hee university from Jan. 1989 to Jul. 1992, and the results were as foollowings. 1. The age at the time of injury was av 24.6 yrs ranging from 4 to 35 yrs, and all cases were male. 2. The follow up period was av. 24.4 Mo ranging from 12 Mo. to 56 Mo. 3. The causes of injury were frostbite in 9 cases, electrical burn in 2 cases. 4. Initial operative treatment was performed av. 69.3 days ranging from 2 to 210 days. 5. For the reconstructive procedure, scapular free flap was applied in 6 cases, radial forearm flap in 4, dorsalis pedis 1ffap in 1, neurovascular island flap in 1. 6. Among total 12 cases, there were 5 cases(41.7%) of wound infection and 3 cases (25.0%) of partial necrosis of donor flap. 7. In 11 cases(90.1%), the end result was satisfactory. In the analysis of above results the reconstruction with microsurgery is effective procedure for reconstruction of Injured hand and foot due to frostbite and electrical burn.