Volar Flap Research Articles

Digital skin defect management: Hand and wrist volar flap solutions

BackgroundSelecting the optimal flap for managing digit skin defects is challenging, particularly for inexperienced surgeons, given the numerous reconstructive options and insufficient evidence supporting one flap type's superiority over another. This retrospective study introduces four efficacious hand flaps to address volar skin defects and transverse and oblique cuts, examines the optimal flap advancement distance, and discusses effective management. MethodsPatients with digit skin defects who underwent flap surgery between 2009 and 2022 were included. Fifty-four patients treated with oblique triangular, volar VY advancement (unilateral and bilateral pedicled volar VY advancement flaps for fingers and thumbs, respectively), reverse homodigital island, and radial artery superficial palmar branch flaps were included. We evaluated the flap advancement distance, flap length, range of motion, complications, and Semmes–Weinstein monofilament test and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire results. ResultsThe median flap advancement distances for triangular oblique (19 patients), unilateral (11 patients), and bilateral pedicled (5 patients) volar VY advancement flaps were 1.3, 1.8, and 2.0 cm, respectively. The flap lengths for the reverse digital island (8 patients) and radial artery superficial palmar branch (11 patients) flaps were 2.4 and 5.0 cm, respectively. Five, three, and one cases of proximal interphalangeal flexion contractures of ≥ -20° were observed in the VY advancement, reverse digital island, and radial artery superficial palmar branch flaps, respectively. One unilateral VY advancement flap case caused severe numbness and neuroma. All complication cases featured >15 and > 20 mm defect lengths on the fingers and thumb, respectively. ConclusionsTo minimize sensory disruption and contractures, we recommend oblique triangular and unilateral pedicle volar VY advancement flaps for finger skin defects up to 12 mm and defects sized 12–15 mm, respectively. Advancement flaps are unsuitable for >15 and > 20–25 mm defects on the fingers and thumb, respectively.

Fingertip coverage with uni-pedicled volar rotational advancement flap with large Z-plasty: a report on 112 cases

BackgroundSimple and safe fingertip reconstruction methods involve the use of local neurovascular islands flaps that can preserve functional length and sensitivity, and reconstruction with skin of the same texture. However, techniques involving flaps have numerous drawbacks and do not satisfy all the requirements for fingertip reconstruction. A particular problem is the persistence of contracture deformity due to lack of full flap advancement. We present a new technique using uni-pedicled volar rotational advancement flap with large Z-plasty, and describe the results of long-term follow-up.MethodsFrom October 1993 to December 2009, 112 fingers of 98 patients were covered with uni-pedicled volar rotational advancement flap with large Z-plasty after sustaining various types of injuries or finger pulp avulsion. A longitudinal incision was made along the lateral border of the digit and a large neurovascular volar flap was elevated just above the pulleys and flexor tendon sheath. To release tension, a large Z-plasty was applied at the metacarpophalangeal joint or interphalangeal joint crease. The final patient outcomes were reviewed retrospectively.ResultsAll fingertip injuries were treated without flap necrosis. Partial wound dehiscence was observed in two patients and average static two-point discrimination was 5.2 mm. There were no postoperative contracture deformities, joint stiffness, paresthesia, or hypersensitivity. Most patients were left with acceptable scarring and were free of postoperative pain and cold intolerance during the long-term follow-up.ConclusionsOur novel technique provides durable, completely sensate, and well-vascularized coverage of the fingertip with minimal discomfort to patients.

Easy and Simple Techniques to Reconstruct Natural Nailfold with the Wrap-around Flap for Finger Reconstruction.

The wrap-around flap (WAF) has become a popular approach to thumb reconstruction because the results are functionally and cosmetically excellent. By modifying to a partial toenail transfer, the WAF can also be used for finger reconstruction. However, performing cosmetically superior finger reconstruction is a significant challenge because it is difficult to reconstruct the natural nailfold by partial nail transplantation, although partial nail transplantation is required to reconstruct a narrow fingernail. One side of the reconstructed lateral nailfold tends to be a missing nail margin, and one side of the proximal nailfold angle tends to be retracted. Based on the rationale that loss of the lateral nailfold volume due to the postoperative tension of the volar flap would result in a missing nail margin, the volume of the lateral nailfold was maintained with a single thread that was passed from the nail to the volar flap. Additionally, half of the proximal nailfold from the nail plate was elevated to advance it forward. The results indicated that a cosmetically natural nailfold was achieved with the WAF approach to finger reconstruction. These easy and simple techniques enable reconstruction of a cosmetically natural nailfold using WAF for finger reconstruction.

Separation of congenital embryonic syndactylies in children: dorsal or volar flap? About a comparative retrospective series.

Congenital syndactylies account for 1 to 2 out of 2000 birth defects. Although several types of syndactylies exist, we only studied embryonic syndactylies. The goal of our study was to compare 2 types of coverage flap for the reconstruction of the finger web spaces: a volar flap described by Blauth and a dorsal flap described by Gilbert. Between 1993 and 2015, children affected by simple and complex syndactylies (partial or complete) were treated in 2 french pediatric hospitals and were selected for our analytic, comparative, retrospective review. The 2 hospitals used different surgical techniques: one used a volar flap described by Blauth and the other a dorsal flap described by Gilbert. The children were followed up to look for signs according to the stages of the Classification of Withey and to evaluate a global result according to the score of Withey. Our secondary criteria of judgement were the aspect of the surgical scar according to the VSS (Vancouver Scar Scale) and the satisfaction of the parents and children. The age of the children, need for a surgical revision and time of last follow- up were also studied. We found statistically significant differences between group I (volar flap) and group II (dorsal flap) in favor of the volar flap: higher scores of Withey (even when the number of commissures was increasing) and better VSS (regardless of the number of web spaces treated). There was no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups in terms of age, follow-up, or rate of surgical revision. All in all, the volar flap presented less sequelae in terms of scar retraction. Regardless of the flap used, the cosmetic results of the full-thickness skin graft used impacted the result both on the receiving site (dyschromia, hairiness) and the donor site.

Volar Neurovascular Advancement Flap With an All Neural Branch-preserving Technique.

Several fingertip reconstruction options exist, among which, the use of a volar advancement flap or local transposition flap is a simple and effective technique for reconstructing the volar pulp with the same skin texture. To advance the flap, we have to release the tethering structure and sometimes include the neural branches. We describe a concept of an all neural branch-preserving technique to harvest a volar flap. We demonstrate this technique on an anatomic specimen and 1 case with delicate surgical tips. We performed this technique in 16 patients, and the mean follow-up period was 28.4 months. The mean range of motion of the distal interphalangeal joint was 70.3 degrees, and that of the proximal interphalangeal joint was 101.9 degrees. The mean static 2-point discrimination of the volar pulp was 4.8 mm. This technique could be applied on the volar advancement flap with a better sensation recovery.

The Double Volar Flap Technique for Aesthetic Repair of Syndactyly and Polysyndactyly of Toe without Skin Grafting.

Aesthetic repair of syndactyly of the toes is desirable because patients may have psychological concerns about its appearance. There are 2 important factors for the aesthetic repair of syndactyly of the toe. One is to hide the operative scar from the visual site (dorsal site), whereas the other is to create an interdigital space close to the normal anatomical skin characteristics (2 general types of skin: glabrous and hairy). In total, 12 patients (4 males and 8 females) with 15 syndactylous webs were operated on by using the double volar flap technique. The following 3 local flaps were designed with this technique: an M-shaped flap designed on the dorsal side of the interdigital region (flap A) and double volar flaps (flaps B and C) designed on the volar side of the interdigital region. Flap A was used for reconstruction of the web slope, whereas flaps B and C were used for reconstruction of the proximal sidewall of toes. The corrected toes showed a deep and natural interdigital commissure with no exposure of skin grafts or conspicuous scars on the dorsal visible side. The scars on the volar side were also inconspicuous. The double volar flap method for repair of syndactyly and polysyndactyly of the toes has the same advantages as those of the local flap method, in addition to an optimum aesthetic result through matching with the normal anatomical skin characteristic of the interdigital space and hiding of the operative scar from the visual site.

Surgical Management of Subungual Melanoma

Optimal surgical management of subungual malignant melanoma (SMM) has been debated. Our tumor registry was reviewed for surgically treated cases of SMM from 1914 to 2010. Resection levels were compared with outcome. During a 96-year period, 124 cases of SMM were identified (65 men and 59 women). Mean age at diagnosis was 58 years. Mean length of symptoms before diagnosis was 2.2 years. Lesions occurred on the hand (n = 79) and foot (n = 45). The thumb (33.8%) and hallux (25.0%) were affected most. At diagnosis, most had local (83.9%) and regional nodal involvement (12.9%). Mean follow-up was 9.4 years.Mean Breslow depth was 3.1 mm. Amputations were most commonly performed on the thumb at the proximal phalanx or metacarpophalangeal joint (43.9%), and on the hallux at the proximal phalanx or metatarsophalangeal joint (69.0%).Disease progression occurred in 61 (49.2%) patients, and most commonly occurred as regional nodal (62.3%) and distant metastasis (42.6%). Disease progression-free survival rates at 5, 10, and 15 years were 57.1%, 49.9%, and 47.0%, respectively. Fifty-three patients died of melanoma-related causes. Disease-specific survival rates at 5, 10, and 15 years after surgery were 59.3%, 49.3%, and 45.2%. Overall survival rates at 5, 10, and 15 years were 60.5%, 43.8%, and 33.1%.In 116 patients who underwent amputation, resection level outcome analysis with univariate and multivariate analysis adjusting for tumor depth and clinical involvement demonstrated that level of resection was not significantly associated with progression-free, overall, or disease-specific survival. Diagnosis of subungual melanoma is often delayed and carries a poor prognosis. Conservative resections are warranted as resection level does not influence outcome when histologically free margins are obtained. Amputation through the proximal phalanx or the metatarsophalangeal joint is required in the hallux and toes. Fingers require resection through the distal interphalangeal joint. For the thumb, although resection through the interphalangeal joint proved adequate, secondary efforts should be directed toward maximizing function and quality of life. Function-preserving resections in the thumb with nail removal, partial distal phalanx resection, and volar flap reconstruction are easily performed and preserve length, maximize joint and sensory function, and improve cosmesis.

Volar Flap Closure of a Broad-based Supernumerary Finger

Volar Flap Closure of a Broad-based Supernumerary Finger

Correction of Syndactyly Using a Dorsal Separated V-Y Advancement Flap and a Volar Triangular Flap in Adults

Skin grafts and local flaps are conventional methods of repair for congenital syndactyly, but the results obtained are not always as functional and aesthetic as desired and frequently leave postoperative scars and residual syndactyly. In this article, we describe a new surgical technique for web reconstruction in the correction of simple, incomplete syndactyly. The technique consists of a dorsal separated V-Y advancement flap and a volar triangular flap to cover the newly created web space, thus avoiding skin graft in this space. In all, 15 web spaces in 10 patients were treated using this method. A follow-up period of 6 months to 2 years showed neither recurrence of the deformity nor web creep of any degree. The technique is rapid, safe, easily performed, and reproducible and requires a single surgical procedure. It uses donor tissue identical in color, texture, and thickness, which renders acceptable cosmesis in cases of simple, incomplete syndactyly, therefore, avoiding the use of skin grafts and resulting postoperative scar contracture in the web space.

Treatment of the donor site after wrap around flap from toe

Objective To investigate the methods to cover the donor site of wrap around flap from toe. Methods In 34 cases, 8 thumbs reconstructed with wrap around flap from great toe, 8 thumbs and 14 fingers reconstructed with half nail flap from fibular side of second toe, and 4 fingers reconstrueted with dorsal nail flap from second toe. The donor site were covered with pedicle flap （first metatarsal dorsal flap, second toe digital flap, neighbor flap from dorsal of second toe, and lateral tarsus flap） or free flap （medical plantar flap, fibular artery flap, and lateral tarsus flap）. Results Twelve cases were followed up after 2 months, normal gait were found, 6 cases were followed up after 4 months, （4 cases for first metatarsal dorsal flap, one for fibular artery flap and one for internal volar flap）. 2 cases recovered defend sensibility and showed a bit dark, the cases which reconstructed with medical plantar flap and second toe digital flap had nearly normal sensibility. The outward appearance of the donor site were chubbiness, flexible, and no complaint were found. Conclusion Covered the donor site of wrap around flap from toe with these flaps can avoid complications like pain and ulcerate, and have a satisfactory appearance. Key words: Wrap around flap ; Surgical flap ; Transplantation ; Microsurgery

Correction of crooked nail deformity by modified osteoplastic reconstruction.

To correct crooked nail deformity, which results from the partial loss of the distal phalanx, soft-tissue restoration alone is usually not enough to restore the length and shape of the nail structure. The authors treated 10 crooked nail fingertips by modified osteoplastic reconstruction, which included the elevation of the dorsally based volar skin flap and an iliac bone graft covered by an adequate skin flap. During the postoperative follow-up, the nail straightened, although not to the preinjury extent, along the restored distal phalanx with bony support. The authors' osteoplastic reconstruction, which involves the enhancement of the fingertips with composite tissues, presents a practical method for the correction of crooked nail deformity.

The Free Radial Forearm Flap: A Reliable Method for Reconstruction of the Laryngohypopharynx after In-continuity Resection

Between 1992 and 1996 14 patients with a squamous cell carcinoma of the laryngohypopharynx underwent tumour resection and primary reconstruction with the free volar forearm flap. Tumour resection was performed by a head and neck surgeon and reconstruction by a plastic surgeon. Preoperative radiotherapy was given to 13 patients and postoperative radiation to one patient. Thirteen patients were male and one patient was female, with a mean age of 66 years (range 53-79 years). The flap was harvested from the left forearm in 12 cases and from the right in two. The mean operation time was 12 h (range 11-20 h), and the mean intraoperative bleeding volume was 700 ml (range 400-1,000 ml). Twelve of 14 flaps survived. One flap was totally lost 3 weeks postoperatively and another was partially lost 2 weeks after surgery. Overall revisional surgery was carried out in six patients. Infections and fistulae at the neck occurred in six of the 14 patients. Six of the 14 patients were alive at follow-up. One patient died of an acute haemorrhage from an oesophageal ulcer 2 months after surgery, one patient died of a second primary oesophageal cancer and six patients developed recurrences. The mean survival time was 26 months (range 2-43 months).

Extended palmar advancement flap with V-Y closure for finger injuries

The technique of using volar advancement flaps with V-Y closure to the fingers is described. It is possible to perform volar flap advancements up to 15 mm and use V-Y closures in the distal palm, avoiding a skin graft. This method is based on knowledge of the vascular anatomy of the finger dorsum, to avoid devitalising dorsal skin. This method was applied to 14 fingers of 13 patients including finger amputations, claw nail deformities, and skin defects of the middle phalanx. Favourable results were observed.

The neurovascular flap in finger injuries

Surgical Principles The finger tip with its protective nail on the dorsum and durable, yet highly sensitive, pulp on the volar aspect is a very important part of the digit. It is thus imperative, following an injury, to preserve as much as possible of this area. Numerous procedures, attempting to achieve this, have been described. These include simple split skin grafts, distant flaps and island pedicle flaps. The lateral advancement flap described by Kutler in 1947 [6] (Figure 1) and the volar flap described by Atasoy et al. in 1970 [1] (Figure 2) were important steps toward achieving skin cover by advancing local tissues. However, the mobility of their flaps was, of necessity, limited. The neurovascular flap, described here, utilizes the principle of distal advancement but entails the total mobilization of a triangular skin island on its own neurovascular pedicle. In this way distal mobility is greatly enhanced which allows for full thickness skin cover over the tip of the digit and yet preserves full sensation and durable skin.

Total Anterior Tenoarthrolysis to Treat Inveterate Flexion Contraction of the Fingers: A Series of 16 Patients

Total anterior tenoarthrolysis was originally described by Saffar to treat flexion contractions of the fingers. This procedure consists of releasing the entire flexor apparatus and the interphalangeal volar plates through a lateral incision and a volar subperiosteal dissection. The anterior flap slides proximally in relation to the bone, leaving a pulpar defect. To maintain the digital pulp intact, we proposed advancing the volar flap and transposing the defect at the base of the finger. A series of 16 patients who underwent total anterior tenoarthrolysis are presented; 6 patients underwent surgery according to our modification. Postoperative range of motion was improved in 11 of 16 patients and correlated with subjective patient appreciation. Fingers that had a preoperative interphalangel total active motion greater than 55 degrees were significantly improved. No improvement was seen among patients with stiff, crooked fingers. The average total extension deficit decreased from 33 degrees at the proximal interphalangeal joint level and 6 degrees at the distal interphalangeal joint level. Total anterior tenoarthrolysis is considered a salvage procedure to treat flexion contractures of the fingers with articular cartilages that are in good condition and tendons that are still working.

The treatment of Dupuytrenʼs contracture with flexor tendon sheath involvement—The sliding volar flap

The treatment of Dupuytrenʼs contracture with flexor tendon sheath involvement—The sliding volar flap

The treatment of Dupuytren's contracture with flexor tendon sheath involvement-the sliding volar flap.

When the flexor tendon sheath must be opened to release a Dupuytren's contracture of the finger, one is sometimes left with an exposed flexor tendon. If the initial incisions in the finger are made to create a proximally based flap, adequate skin is left to cover the defect in the flexor tendon sheath and a split-thickness skin graft can be placed distally where the sheath has not been violated.

Reconstruction of the Amputated Finger Tip with a Triangular Volar Flap

A triangular volar flap has been used successfully for the reconstruction of amputated finger tips. It can be applied to most finger amputations except those with extensive soft-tissue loss on the volar side of the amputated finger tip. The distally based triangular flap, carefully prepared with intact nerve and blood supply, is advanced over exposed bone and approximated to the nail matrix. The V incision is closed by converting it to a Y.

The use of a volar flap for repair of fingertip amputations: a preliminary report.

The use of a volar flap for repair of fingertip amputations: a preliminary report.