OBJECTIVETo analyze the long-term effect of primary combined tissue transplantation on hand reconstruction.

METHODSThe data of 8 kinds of combined tissue transplantations employed to reconstruct the severely injured hands of 26 patients over the past 2 to 11 years were studied retrospectively. Among them, combined tissue transplantation taking the anterior-lateral femoral flap as the main tissue unit was applied in 21 cases and taking the second toe as the main tissue unit was applied in 5 cases. Blood vessel anastomosis was performed in parallel in 16 cases, series in 6 cases and both in 4 cases.

RESULTSAmong the 60 free tissue units employed on 26 patients, 58 survived completely and the other 2 survived after dressing change because of postoperative partial necrosis. The patients were followed up for 2-11 years postoperatively, with an average of 3.5 years. According to the standard for function of reconstructed hands by Chinese Medical Association, excellent results were obtained in 10 cases, good in 12 cases, fair in 3 cases and bad in 1 case.

CONCLUSIONSPrimary combined tissue transplantation, which may preserve the tissue vitality of injured hands to the maximum and thus facilitate function restoration of the hands, is a promising method in reconstructing severely-injured hands.