Application of combined wrap-around flap from the big toe and flap from the opposite foot in treating degloving injuries of the whole thumb

Abstract

Objective To explore the new operation method and clinical effect of treating degloving injuries of the whole thumb.Methods Nine cases of the whole thumb degloving injury caused by machine were treated with free wrap-around flap from the big toe and the flap from the opposite foot.The phalanges,joints and tendons of all injured thumbs were integral relatively,except that the interphalangeal joints in 3 cases were destroyed and the flexor and extensor pollicis longus were ruptured.The size of the dorsal tissue defects varied from 4.8 cm × 2.9 cm to 6.2 cm × 3.4 cm,and the volar tissue defects ranged from 4.7 cm × 3.2 cm to 6.1 cm × 4.0 cm.The area of the wraparound flap from the big toe harvested was from 5.0 cm × 3.2 cm to 6.7 cm × 3.9 cm.The flap from the opposite foot was tibial flap with dorsalis pedis flap from the opposite second toe,and the area of the flap was from 5.0 cm × 3.5 cm to 6.6 cm × 4.5 cm.Results All 9 combined flaps survived.The wound healed primarily.Skin grafts in the donor sites of the foot also survived.Postoperative follow-up ranged from 6 to 20 months,with an everage of 9 months.The pulp of the thumb was well-stacked.Sensory recovery ranged from S3 to S3 +.Thumb nail grew well.Thumbs performed good functions as grabbing,grasping and nipping.The range of motion of the MP joints of the reconstructed thumb was normal.The motion of interphalangeal joints were acceptable in 6 cases,but worse than the normal thumb.The interphalangeal joint in 3 cases destroyed was fused.There was no obvious influence on the function of the foot.Conclusion Applying combined wrap-around flap from the big toe with the tibial flap and dorsalis pedis flap from the opposite foot in treating degloving injuries of the whole thumb is a new operation method,which could achieve good appearance and function,but have a small influence on the donor site.It is worthy being used widely in clinical. Key words: Fingers ; Toes ; Wrap-around flap; Transplantation; Degloving injuries