• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.56-61
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• 2000

Recommendable reconstructive surgery in the patient with thumb amputation through base of the first metacarpal bone is pollicization. Some patients who do not agree with harvest sound finger as a new thumb, we can consider other options as toe transplantation or osteoplastic thumb reconstruction for creating thumb. Toe transplantation to the thumb is effective procedure in the amputation of distal to metacarpal shaft, it is rarely indicated in the cases of proximal to base of the first metacarpal bone. We performed three cases of modified osteoplastic thumb reconstruction with free vascularized rib that combined with scapular free flap or radial forearm flap. The length of transplanted rib ranged from 7~11cm, the donor vessels are posterior intercostal artery and vein which anastomosed to radial artery. The grafted rib wrapped with additional free flap for creating new thumb. Result of that procedure was not much encouraging, aesthetic appearance and mobility of thumb were not so satisfactory but reconstructed thumb gave improvement of the hand function without sacrificing toe or other digit. That gave reasonable stability for powerful side pinch and three pod pinch and opposable thumb with normal carpo-metacarpal joint motion that can give much function to the thumb absent hand. In spite of those disadvantages, thumb reconstruction with rib transfer can be useful for patients who do not want to lose another part of the body for creating thumb in basal amputation of the thumb metacarpal.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.117-122
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• 2006

The function of the thumb is critical to overall hand function. The thumb enables motions such as pinch, grip, fine manipulation and allows to circumduction and opposition. It's loss is a serious problem not only from cosmetic point of view but also functional. Therefore, we should make every effort on thumb reconstruction. Many methods of thumb reconstruction from simple osteoplasty to complex microsurgical reconstruction have been reported. We should understand merits and demerits of each method and choose proper method on case by case. When both hands are injured and there is no option but to amputate one hand and the thumb of another hand is lost, spare part flap from the thumb of the amputated hand to another hand can solve cosmetic problem, functional problem and donor morbidity. We report a case of amputated thumb which has been reconstructed with amputated ring finger of the contralateral hand using spare part flap concept.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.101-107
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• 2008

Purpose: Free flaps from the great toe are an established method for reconstruction of absent or partially amputated thumbs. However, options differ as to which technique represents the ideal solution for each level of amputation. Various methods of distal thumb reconstruction have been proposed. We prefer to transplant the entire great toe nail complex with the almost all of the pulp rather than a portion of the nail. This paper reflects our experience in using the great toe mini wrap-around flap for distal thumb reconstruction. Materials and Methods: In the period from October of 2005 to July of 2007, 9 patients were treated for traumatic thumb defects localized at the distal phalanx of the thumb. The patients included seven men and two women. The mean age was 44 years (range, 21~60) and the dominant right hand was involved in seven of nine patients. Results: The transferred flaps have survived completely in all cases. The mean range of motion in the interphalangeal joints was 51o, with 73% of the normal uninjured opposite hands. The two-point discrimination was 10.5 mm (range, 5~13 mm). In Semmes-Weinstein monofilament test, the sensibility was 4.31 in 4 cases, 3.61 in 3 cases and 2.83 in 2 cases. The pinch power was 64% (range, 55~95%) of the opposite hand. All patients were satisfied with the appearance of the reconstructed thumb and felt comfortable at final follow-up. Conclusion: We have successfully reconstructed 9 cases of traumatic distal thumb defects using the mini wrap-around free flap. The mini wrap-around free flap in great toe is an excellent alternative method for distal thumb reconstruction in selected patients.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.56-60
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• 2012

Purpose: Thumb reconstruction plays most important role in hand injuries because total loss of a thumb constitutes about 40% disability in the hand. The reconstruction can be accomplished by pollicization, free toe-to-thumb transfer, wrap around procedure and lengthening extraction. However, we sometimes need consecutive or double free flaps in the reconstruction of mutilating hand injuries. Methods: We reconstructed a mutilating hand injury in a 54-years old man. Because of severe crushing injury of right thumb and index fingers, we reconstructed a thumb with pollicization using nearly amputated middle finger. Although it survived completely, the adjacent soft tissues which had been covered by fillet flap from the space past was necrosed on 1 month. We debrided the necrotic tissues and covered it with anteromedial thigh perforator free flap consecutively because he had an anatomical variation in branches of lateral femoral circumflex artery. Results: He had an uneventful postoperative course without any complication such as infection, dehiscence and flap necrosis. Three months later, he had undergone tenolysis and defatting procedure of flap site. He recovered the some amount of grip function and was happy with the result. Conclusion: In severe hand trauma including thumb amputation, thumb reconstruction using pollicization and perforator free flap could be an alternative option. It provides minimal donor site morbidity and an acceptable functional result.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.126-131
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• 2011

Purpose: The subcutaneous pocket graft of the thumb tip amputation across or proximal to the lunula is chosen in case of impossible microvascular anastomosis and in patient who strongly desired to preserve the thumb tip after failed replantation. Materials and Methods: Two patients who underwent a subcutaneous pocket graft for a thumb tip reconstruction between August 2008 and November 2009 were reviewed retrospectively. They were all males with a mean age at the time of surgery of 48 years and had sustained complete thumb tip amputations across or proximal to the lunula. In one case, the microsurgical replantation was not feasible and the other one revealed arterial insufficiency at the 7th day after microsurgical replantation. Results: Authors had experienced 2 cases of flaps which survived completely. The results of sensibility was good, the range of motion at interphalangeal joint and tip to tip pinch was acceptable and color mismatch and loss of thumb finger nail was unacceptable after more than 1 year follow up with conventional successful thumb tip replantation. Conclusion: The subcutaneous pocket graft could be chosen in thumb tip amputation in case of impossible microvascular anastomosis as well as who strongly desires to preserve thumb tip after failed replantation.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.137-142
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• 2001

This study evaluated the results of reconstructions of thumb web space in the patients with adduction contracture of thumb. Between February 1990 and April 2000, 28 patients with thumb web space adduction contracture were treated with various reconstruction methods. We divided the patients according to the severity; mild$(41^{\circ}{\sim}80^{\circ})$, moderate$(21^{\circ}{\sim}40^{\circ})$, severe$(20^{\circ}less)$ contracture. The number of patients with mild contracture was 5, moderate; 12, severe; 11. We performed Z-plasty in 15, free flap in 8, local flap in 3, abdominal flap in 1 and scar release only in 1 case. The mean follow-up period was 5.7 years, ranged from 1.5 to 11.2 years. The results of web reconstruction were evaulated by thumb web space angle. There were excellent in 9, good in 16, fair in 3 cases. Z-plasty was performed in the 5 cases with mild contracture, and all the results were excellent. Especially, free flap was performed in the 6 cases with severe contracture, and all the results were good or excellent. in the reconstruction of thumb web space contracture, we recommend Z-plasty for a mild contracture, and free flap for large soft tissue defect created by release of a severe contracture.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.72-80
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• 1994

There are several methods to reconstruct an amputated or lost thumb such as toe to thumb transfer, pollicization and other variety of free flaps. In 1980, Morrison and O'Brien advocated reconstruction of the thumb with a free wrap-around flap from the big toe to recreate a stable, sensate and functional digit, including the nail. From March, 1982 to December, 1992, thirty cases of thumb reconstructions were performed using the wrap-around procedure at Korea University Hospital. 1. 29 cases of total 30 cases were successful and can be obtained the excellent results in functional and cosmetic aspect. 2. In postoperative complications, one case is graft failure, six cases in partial skin necrosis, one case in malunion, 15 cases in resorption of grafted bone piece were come out. 3. Even if the 1st metacarpal neck amputation is occurred, thumb reconstruction with a free neurovascular wrap-around flap was also possible, however, the limitation of the mobility of the reconstructed thumb and resorption of grafted bone piece were come out. We concluded that cosmesis and fuctional results were quite satisfactory despite of some complications. The thumb reconstruction with a wrap around free flap from the big toe in thumb amputated patients is the excellent method in the cosmetic and functional aspect and can be considered as the most useful method because of less morbidity to the donor site and the operator should be trained to get the meticulous microsurgical technique and to detect the complications.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.135-145
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• 1998

In 1980 Morrison and O'Brien reported their experiences about the reconstruction of amputated thumb using wrap-around neurovascular free flap from the great toe with a nonvascularized iliac bone graft. From then it has been considered to be a good reconstructive procedure for the amputated thumb, but it's indication has been limited distal to the metacarpophalangeal(MP) joint. We have performed 37 cases of wrap-around free flap from the great toe for the reconstruction of thumb amputated at distal or proximal to the MP joint and investigated their functional results according to the level of amputation. Level of amputation was distal to the MP joint in 25 cases and proximal to it in 12 cases. Pinching and grasping power, two point discrimination and the amount of opposition to the other fingers were compared to the uninjured hand. Pinching and grasping power were not significantly different according to the level of amputation but the amount of two point discrimination was significantly high in the cases amputated proximal to the MP joint. The opposition of reconstructed thumb to the other fingers was completely possible in all cases amputated distal to the MP joint. In 12 cases amputated proximal to the MP joint of the thumb, opposition was completely possible in 6 cases in which the iliac bone block was fixated in the position of $30^{\circ}$ flexion and $45^{\circ}$ internal rotation but in 6 cases in the fixation of $30^{\circ}$ flexion and $30^{\circ}$ internal rotation, the opposition of reconstructed thumb to the ring and little fingers were impossible in 5 cases and only to the little finger in 1 case. In this study, we concluded that even if amputation proximal to the MP joint, it is no more contraindication of the wrap-around free flap procedure for thumb reconstruction, however in these cases we recommend iliac bone block fixation in the position of $30^{\circ}$ flexion and $45^{\circ}$ infernal rotation for the better functional outcome.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.81-89
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• 1994

Firstly the wrap-around free flap from the great toe was transferred successfully by Morrison and O'Brien in 1980 for reconstruction in chronic case of amputated thumb distal to the MP joint. Since then, significant bone peg resorption and grafted bone fracture have been reported in most of cases after operation. We have performed thumb reconstructions within 2 weeks after injury in 11 cases which included acute crushing injuries or failed replantation of thumb at Guro Hospital from September, 1983 to October, 1993. The results obtained from this study are as follows: 1. There were 8 males and 3 females and the mean age was 28.8 years old ranged from 3 years old to 50 years old. 2. The most common injury mechanism was machinary injury in 10 of 11 cases. 3. We have performed thumb reconstructions by using wrap-around free flap from the great toe without bone graft in 6 cases and with bone graft in 5 cases within 2 weeks after injury. 4. During 6 years and 1 month mean follow-up period, there were bone resorptions in 3, grafted bone fracture in 1, infections in 2 and soft tissue necrosis in 3 cases. 5. We obtained satisfactable results in respect of function and cosmesis and urged to use this flap for reconstruction in acute thumb injury.

• 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.