Replantation surgery for traumatically amputated digits involves reconnection of a severed digit with microsurgical techniques. It has evolved over half a century into a matured medical technique. However, a significant number of patients who are eligible for replantation upon arrival of the hospital do not wish to take the replantation surgery, instead, they opt for stump revision surgery. From July 2024 to August 2024, 320 patients with severed digits and indications for replantation, who were treated in a Tier-IIIA hospital in Southwest China from June 2020 to December 2023, were randomly selected by the Department of Upper Limb Repair and Reconstruction Surgery of Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Guizhou Hospital. The medical records about surgical plans and outcomes of surgery were statistically analysed retrospectively. At the same time, interviews were conducted with five attending surgeons in the Department of Hand Surgery of the hospital. This article analyses the underlying reasons behind this phenomenon from a medical ethics perspective, and examines the standpoints of the patient and surgeon. This article also explores the ideal model for medical decision-making in digital replantation, and proposes improvements from various aspects. The aim of it is to enable the patients with traumatically amputated digits to make the most appropriate decisions without interference, thereby to minimise the impairment.

This is a case report of bilateral Gustilo ⅢC fracture with tibial defects in both legs and combined with defects of soft tissue. The injury was treated by emergency surgery in November 2021 in the Hand and Foot Microsurgery Hospital, Xi'an Fengcheng Hospital. It was found that annular avulsion injury with partial defect of soft tissue in left leg from under the knee to ankle (10.0 cm × 4.0 cm, 14.0 cm × 8.0 cm), distal tibia-fibula fractures and partial bone defect of tibia (6.0 cm), anterior tibial artery and posterior tibial artery rupture, and posterior tibial nerve and foot were both intact. Of the right leg, it was found that there was an annular avulsion injury with partial defect of soft tissue between 1/3 of proximal leg and above ankle (25.0 cm × 10.0 cm), distal tibia-fibula fractures and partial tibial defect (4.0 cm), anterior tibial artery was ruptured and the posterior tibial artery was embolised, but posterior tibial nerve and foot were both intact. There was no blood supply in both feet. A chimeric fibular flap of right peroneal artery (15.0 cm × 6.0 cm, and the excised fibula was 13.0 cm long) was harvested and further divided into 2 chimeric flaps for reconstruction of the defects of bilateral tibia and soft tissue. A chimeric flap pedicled with descending branch of left lateral circumflex femoral artery (29.0 cm × 8.0 cm) was harvested and further divided into 2 chimeric tissue flaps pedicled with the descending branch of lateral circumflex femoral artery to cover the remaining wounds of both calves. The proximal peroneal artery was anastomosed with anterior tibial artery, and the distal peroneal artery was anastomosed with the lateral circumflex femoral artery carried by chimeric flap, and bilateral posterior tibial arteries were bridge anastomosed with the great saphenous veins. All patients were entered in the scheduled follow-up at 4, 8 and 12 weeks after surgery. The walking and the movement of ankles and toes were gradually recovered. At 1 year after surgery, the patient was able to get of the bed by himself. Plantar sensation regained to S 4 and there was a slight limb in walking, but without pain, wear or ulceration in feet.

On 25th September 2021, a patient was admitted in the Department of Hand Microsurgery, Chongqing Great Wall Orthopaedic Hospital with an infectious proximal tibia defect and soft tissue defect after the resection of a giant cell tumour of tendon sheath (GCTTS). After relevant examinations, it was found that there was a large bone defect at proximal medial tibia, with an extremely thin of medial tibial plateau. Size of bone defect was 8.0 cm×3.5 cm×3.0 cm, and soft tissue defect was 6.0 cm×8.0 cm. A phased surgery was planned: firstly, the internal fixation was removed with thorough debridement and then the cavity was filled by antibiotic bone cement for control of the infection; In the phase-Ⅱ surgery, a series of anterolateral thigh myocutaneous flap (the volume of the muscle flap was 6.0 cm×2.5 cm×2.0 cm, and the size of flap was 4.0 cm×9.0 cm) and an iliac bone flap were used and the cavity of medial proximal tibia was filled with calcium sulphate and anterolateral thigh muscle graft. A piece of iliac bone graft was transferred to support the tibial plateau, and the wound was covered by flap (the volume of the iliac bone fragment was 12.0 cm×5.0 cm×2.0 cm, and the size of flap was 4.0 cm×9.0 cm). At 3 years of postoperative follow-up, the fracture healed well, the cavity at medial proximal tibia was significantly reduced. Appearance of flaps was good with restored protective sensation. Function of the affected knee was close to normal with a score of 94 according to Lysholm Knee Scale.

In January 2023, a patient with soft tissue degloving defect of right index, middle, ring and little fingers was treated in the Department of Hand Surgery, Suzhou Ruihua Orthopaedic Hospital. Seven free flaps from a leg were harvested to reconstruct the defected wound of fingers in primary surgery. Flap thinning and plastic surgery were performed in stage-II surgery. Over the 22 months of postoperative follow-up, the flaps in right index, middle, ring and little fingers survived well with the colour and texture close to proximal skin. There was no obvious swelling of the flaps and sensation of the flaps recovered to S 3. The donor sites healed well and the donor leg walked normally.

In October 2023, a patient with locally advanced breast cancer was treated in the Department of Reconstructive Microsurgery, Xuzhou Renci Hospital. Radical mastectomy for breast cancer was performed, and the huge soft tissue defect (40.0 cm×22.0 cm) was reconstructed by a pedicled transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap (TRAMF) combined with a free deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap (DIEPF) and a free anterolateral thigh perforator flap (ALTPF). The size of the lower abdominal flap was 28.0 cm×11.0 cm, and the size of ALTPF was 30.0 cm×11.0 cm. All flaps survived well with soft texture. Scores of Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were significantly improved at 1 month after the surgery. The patient refused chemotherapy, radiotherapy and other comprehensive treatments at the time. A local cancer recurrence in chest wall was found at 9 months after surgery, the patient was currently under chemotherapy and other comprehensive therapies.

Objective:To investigate the curative effects of the ulnar artery perforator flap carrying 2 and more perforators of same source artery on reconstruction of defects in hand.Methods:A retrospective observational study was conducted on 13 patients with hand injuries combined with bone or tendon exposure and met the inclusion criteria of the study were admitted to the Department of Hand Surgery, Wuxi NO.9 People’s Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University between April 2022 and September 2023. The patients were 8 males and 5 females with a mean age of 45.7 (25-67) years. Seven hand injuries were caused by mechanical crushing, 2 by hot crushing and 4 by machine strangulation. After debridement, the sizes of defect were found at 5.4 cm×5.1 cm to 8.2 cm×7.5 cm. Dopplor ultrasound was applied to locate the perforators before surgery. Perforator flaps carrying cutaneous branches of ulnar artery proximal to the wrist were designed for reconstruction of the defects in hand. The flaps were 6.0 cm×5.5 cm-8.5 cm×8.0 cm in size. Donor sites were covered by the ulnar artery perforator flaps sized 5.3 cm×2.7 cm-8.2 cm×4.0 cm and carryied 2 and more perforators of the same source artery. During harvest of the flaps, the number and calibre of perforators carried by flap, the calibre of the main trunk of the superior carpal branch of the ulnar artery and the length of its pedicle were recorded. A total of 35 perforators with 0.35-0.95 mm in calibre carried by 13 perforator flaps of ulnar artery were successfully retained. Five of the 13 flaps carried the perforators with a calibre smaller than 0.50 mm. Overall, there were 7 flaps with 2 perforators per flap, 4 with 3 perforators per flap, 1 with 4 perforators and 1 with 5 perforators. The cutaneous branch of ulnar artery in a caliber of 0.75-1.35 mm and proximal to the wrist was dissected as the vascular pedicle with 30.0-45.0 mm in length. All patients were included in the schedueled postoperative at outpatient clinic to observe the appearance and sensation of the flaps, and the occurrence of complication.Results:All flaps survived and the wounds healed at first intention without vascular compromises, wound dehiscence or obvious swelling. All patients received 8 - 20 months of follow-up, with 15 months in average. Flaps presented good appearance and colour, with soft texture and without bloating. TPD of the first flap was 8-18 mm, with an average of 10.5 mm±0.5 mm and that of the second or relay flap was 7-15 mm, with an average of 9.5 mm±0.5 mm. According to British Medical Research Council (BMRC) system, the sensory evaluation of the recipient sites achieved S 4 in 5 flaps, S 3 in 9 flaps and S 2 in 12 flaps. Conclusion:The ulnar artery perforator flap with 2 and more perforators of the same source artery has sufficient and reliable blood supply and is effective in reconstruction of hand defects.

Objective:To investigate a surgical method and clinical effect on reconstruction of infective ulcer and soft tissue defects in dorsal fingers of the elderly patients with free perforator flap of peroneal artery.Methods:From March 2016 to June 2022, 13 elderly patients with infective ulcer and soft tissue defects in dorsal fingers were reconstructed with free perforator flaps of peroneal artery. The patients were 65-70 years with an average age of 66.5 years. Cause of infection: 10 ulceration and soft tissue defects were caused by diabetes and 3 by injury. Seven infective ulceration and soft tissue defects were in dorsal index fingers, 3 in dorsal middle fingers and 3 in dorsal ring fingers with the size of soft tissue defects at 2.0 cm×4.5 cm-2.0 cm×5.5 cm with an exposure of tendon and phalange. The donor site of the flaps was of contralateral calf and the flaps were 2.5 cm×5.0 cm-2.5 cm×6.0 cm in size. All donor sites were sutured directly. All patients were included in the postoperative follow-up at outpatient clinic to observe the appearance and sensation of the flap as well as finger movement.Results:All flaps survived and all wounds achieved stage I healing, without recurrence of infection. Twelve patients had the postoperative follow-up for 12 to 27 months, with an average of 21.6 months. There were satisfactory appearance of flaps and the function of fingers. Sensation of flaps recovered to S 2 in 5 patients and S 3 in 7 patients. The recovery of hand function was evaluated according to the Evaluation Trial Standards of Upper Limb Partial Functional of Hand Surgery of Chinese Medical Association, with 8 hands in excellent and 4 in good. Conclusion:The free perforator flap of peroneal artery has advantages of constant vascular anatomy, reliable blood supply, moderate thickness and direct closure of donor site. It is a useful clinical method in reconstruction of infective ulcer and soft tissue defects in dorsal fingers of the elderly patients.

Objective:To investigate a surgical method and clinical outcomes of a fascia pedicled island flap with dorsal branch of proper palmar digital nerve in reconstruction of defects of digital pulp.Methods:Seventy-five patients who had digital pulp defects and treated at Department of Orthopaedics, Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps Alar Hospital, Shaw Hospital Affiliated Zhejiang University School of Medicine, from December 2019 to December 2022, were retrospectively analysed. The patients were 40 males and 35 females aged 25-61 years with an average age of 42 years. The defects of digital pulp involved in 23 thumbs, 15 per group of index fingers, middle fingers and ring fingers, and 7 little fingers. The digital pulp defects were 0.8 cm×0.9 cm to 1.5 cm×2.1 cm in size, and the sizes of flap were 1.0 cm×1.2 cm to 1.8 cm×2.4 cm. Donor sites were covered by medium-thickness skin grafts and pressurised bandage was applied. Clinical outcomes of the surgery were monitored through the postoperative follow-ups at outpatient clinic, WeChat and telephone reviews.Results:Postoperative follow-up ranged 9 to 15 months, with an average of 12 months. The donor sites and skin grafts all achieved stage-I healing. Seventy-three flaps completely survived after surgery. However, 2 flaps had partial necrosis, which healed after dressing changes, 4 flaps encountered flap bruising and swelling, which were rectified by removal of high-tension sutures, and 7 flaps had tension blisters, which had disappeared in 2 weeks. At the final follow-up, the appearance and texture of the flaps were graded as excellent for 54 flaps and good for 21 flaps, all without pale, cyanotic or dark in colour. Forty-nine flaps showed normal elasticity or with slight atrophy, 24 with mild atrophy, 2 with moderate atrophy and none with obvious or severe atrophy. Mobility of the affected digits was rated as excellent for 57 digits (average 42.3°), good for 12 (average 26.7°) and fair in 6 digits (average 16.3°). TPD of flap surfaces ranged 6 to 11 mm, with an average of 8.1 mm. Digital function were evaluated according to the Evaluation Trial Standards of Upper Limb Partial Functional of Hand Surgery of Chinese Medical Association, with 48 digits in excellent (average 11.2 points), 22 in good (average 8.1 points) and 5 in fair (average 5.4 points) and with a combined excellence and good rates of 93.33%. All flap donor sites were in normal function. For patient satisfaction: 53 patients were well satisfied, 21 were fairly satisfied and 1 was dissatisfied.Conclusion:Application of the island flap with dorsal branch of proper palmar digital nerve with fascio-pedicled in reconstruction of the defect of digital pulp has a high survival rate, simple surgical operation, good satisfactory outcome, with the digital artery being remained intact.

Objective:To study the feasibility of design and harvest of free medial sural artery perforator flap with the "two-point and two-line method".Methods:From September 2022 to June 2023, Suzhou Ruihua Orthopaedic Hospital implemented the "two-point and two-line method" to guide preoperative perforator positioning and flap design. Thirty medial sural artery perforator flaps were successfully harvested with the method, and 21 wounds of hand and 9 of foot and ankle were reconstructed with the flaps. The size of soft tissue defects were 2.5 cm×2.5 cm-7.0 cm×14.5 cm, and the flaps size were 3.0 cm×3.0 cm-7.5 cm×15.0 cm. All donor sites were directly closed or by skin grafting. All patients were entered in 6-15 months of postoperative outpatient follow-up, and the recovery of donor and recipient sites was assessed by the comprehensive evaluation scales. The sensory function of the flaps was evaluated using the sensory function evaluation standard of British Medical Research Council (BMRC).Results:All perforators were successfully located with 47 perforators in total, and all of them were musculocutaneous perforator. It was found that there was 1 perforator in 14 flaps, 2 perforators in 15 flaps and 3 perforators in 1 flap. All 30 flaps survived after surgery, beside 2 flaps that had arterial insufficiency but survived successfully after surgical exploration. All donor sites healed in one stage. Comprehensive evaluation scale of flap was employed to evaluate the flaps and the scores were 84 points to 96 points with an average score of 92.5 points. The excellent and good grades were achieved in 27 flaps and 3 flaps, respectively, with a combined excellent and good rate at 100%. Sensation of the flaps was evaluated by BMRC with 1 flap of S 1, 17 of S 2 and 12 of S 3. Conclusion:The "two-point and two-line method" has been used in design of the perforator flap of medial sural artery. This method is simple and accurate, and is feasible and ideal in design of flaps before surgery.

Objective:To explore the possibility of using a inferior gluteal artery perforator flap (IGAPF) for breast reconstruction in the patient who did not have suitable donor site in back and abdomen.Methods:In November 2024, a 25-year-old unmarried and childless woman with right breast cancer received immediate right breast reconstruction by a right free IGAPF after modified right mastectomy in the Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University. The locations of perforators were confirmed by both Multi-detector computed tomography angiography (MDCTA) and portable Doppler blood flow detector before surgery. The IGAPF was designed to take the inferior gluteal wrinkle as the lower edge, the axis of the flap was parallel to the inferior gluteal wrinkle, and the width of the flap was estimated where the incision could be directly closed. The size of right IGAPF was 6.0 cm×19.0 cm. Sharp dissection was performed between the sarcolemma and muscle fibres of gluteus, then the perforators were dissected along the direction of muscle fibres of gluteus. The vascular pedicle was kept at about 8.0 cm in length. The diameter of artery was about 2.0 mm and that for the veins was about 1.5 mm. End-to-end anastomoses with the right thoracodorsal artery and vein were successfully carried out. The donor site was directly closed, and it was hidden in the inferior gluteal wrinkle. Postoperative outpatient clinical review was made.Results:Pathological examination reported: an invasive carcinoma of right breast, axillary lymph node metastasis (2/10). The patient recovered well and the flap survived without any complication, i.e. ischemic necrosis, infection and haematoma. The patient was off-bed at 3 days and discharged at 13 days after surgery. At the 40 days of postoperative follow-up, the patient achieved a good recovery and the lower limb activity was not affected by the surgery. The patient was satisfied with the reconstructed breast and donor site recovery. The patient followed with scheduled chemotherapy and subsequent radiotherapy. The volume of reconstructed breast was smaller than the other breast, of which the patient was fully informed before the surgery.Conclusion:A free IGAPF provides an alternative donor sites for achieving a breast reconstruction due to the reliable pedicle vessels and invisible donor scars.