Fibular great toe flap carrying partial subcutaneous fascial flap in reconstruction of soft tissue defects in palmar side of thumbs and fingers
10.3760/cma.j.cn441206-20240604-00142
- VernacularTitle:携带筋膜皮下瓣的 趾腓侧皮瓣修复拇指及手指掌侧软组织缺损
- Author:
Muwei LI
1
;
Zhe ZHANG
;
Chuang MENG
;
Yong LIANG
;
Shaogeng HUANG
;
Ziqing ZHANG
Author Information
1. 深圳市龙岗区骨科医院手外科一病区，广东 深圳 518116
- Keywords:
Great toe fibular flap;
Thumb;
Finger;
Soft tissue defect;
Reconstruction;
Microsurgical operation
- From:
Chinese Journal of Microsurgery
2024;47(5):555-559
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To discuss the method and clinical outcomes in reconstruction of soft tissue defects on palmar side of thumbs and fingers by transfer of combined full-thickness skin grafting with a great toe fibular flap carrying partial subcutaneous fascial flap.Methods:From December 2019 to December 2023, 11 patients with soft tissue defects on the palmar side of thumbs and fingers were treated in the Department of Hand Surgery Ward One, the Longgang Orthopaedics Hospital of Shenzhen. The patients were 7 males and 4 females, aged 16-55 years old with 26 years old in average. Fibular great toe flaps carrying partial fascial subcutaneous flap were employed. The soft tissue defects of thumbs and fingers were 4.0 cm×3.0 cm-6.0 cm×4.0 cm in size. Fibular great toe flaps carrying partial fascial subcutaneous tissue flap were harvested for reconstruction of the soft tissue defects in palmar digits. The sizes of flaps were 4.0 cm×1.5 cm-6.0 cm×2.0 cm, and the extended area by subcutaneous tissue flap was 4.0 cm×1.5 cm-6.0 cm×2.0 cm. Eight medial foot skins and 3 medial calf skins were applied. All donor sites were directly sutured. All patients were included in the scheduled postoperative follow-up by regular visis of outpatient clinic, and by video and telephone to observe the appearance, function and healing of the flaps and donor sites.Results:All 11 flaps survived, including 1 that had partial necrosis, and healed after dressing changes. The follow-up ranged from 6 to 18 months, with an average of 9 months. Good shape, texture and elasticity of the flaps were achieved. The grasping, pinching and holding functions of digits were all good. According to the British Medical Research Council (BMRC) sensory recovery criteria, the sensation of the flap was recovered to S 3+, with 6 skin graft areas recovered to S 3 and 5 recovered to S 3+. Eight patients had no cold intolerance but 3 had mild cold intolerance with Cold Intolerance Symptom Severity (CISS) scores of 4, 12 and 36, respectively. According to the Evaluation Trial Standards of Upper Limb Partial Functional of Hand Surgery of Chinese Medical Association, 10 patients were in excellent and 1 in good. Linear scars were left at the donor sites. The Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) score at the final follow-up was 2.42 points±0.75 points. The scars were flat or less than 1-2 mm above the skin with the colour close to that of the surrounding normal skin with good softness and without itchiness or pain. Conclusion:The combination of a fibular flap of the great toe with a fasciocutaneous flap and a full-thickness skin graft for reconstruction of the soft tissue defects on the palmar side of the thumbs and fingers can avoid skin grafting from a donor site hence reduce a damage to the donor site. It can be applied as an alternative surgical procedure.
