OBJECTIVETo observe the efficacy of acupuncture on pain after replantation of severed finger.

METHODSA total of 80 patients who underwent replantation of severed finger were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 40 cases in each one. The patients in the control group were treated with postoperative routine care of hand surgery, while patients in the observation group, based on the regular treatment, were treated with acupuncture within first 72 h of surgery. The health side of Yanglingquan (GB 34), Xuehai (SP 10), Hegu (LI 4), Houxi (SI 3) were selected and the needles were retained for 30 min. The acupuncture was given for 6 times. The evaluation was performed by using visual analogue scale (VAS) 2 h, 4 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h and 72 h after surgery. The use of analgesics after surgery was recorded in the two groups, and the blood supply and survival rate of severed finger were evaluated.

RESULTSCompared between the two groups, the VAS 4 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h and 48 h after surgery in the observation group was lower than that in the control group (all P<0. 05); the use frequency of analgesics in the observation group was lower than that in the control group (P<0. 05); the abnormality rate of blood supply in the observation group was lower than that in the control group (P<0. 05).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture can significantly relieve postoperative pain of replantation of severed finger, and reduce the occurrence rate of abnormal blood supply, which is worthy of clinical promotion.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Female ; Finger Injuries ; complications ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pain, Postoperative ; etiology ; therapy ; Replantation

BACKGROUND: The reconstruction of volar surface defects is difficult because of the special histologic nature of the tissue involved. The plantar surface is the most homologous in shape and function and could be considered the most ideal of reconstructive options in select cases of volar surface defects. In this paper, we evaluate a single institutional case series of volar tissue defects managed with second toe plantar free flaps. METHODS: A single-institution retrospective review was performed on 12 cases of reconstruction using a second toe plantar free flap. The mean age was 33 years (range, 9 to 54 years) with a male-to-female ratio of 5-to-1. The predominant mechanism was crush injury (8 cases) followed by amputations (3 cases) and a single case of burn injury. Half of the indications (6 cases) were for soft-tissue defects with the other half for scar contracture. RESULTS: All of the flaps survived through the follow-up period. Sensory recovery was related to the time interval between injury and reconstruction-with delayed operations portending worse outcomes. There were no postoperative complications in this series. CONCLUSIONS: Flexion contracture is the key functional deficit of volar tissue defects. The second toe plantar free flap is the singular flap whose histology most closely matches those of the original volar tissue. In our experience, this flap is the superior reconstructive option within the specific indications dictated by the defect size and location.
Amputation ; Burns ; Cicatrix ; Contracture ; Finger Injuries ; Fingers ; Follow-Up Studies ; Free Tissue Flaps ; Postoperative Complications ; Retrospective Studies ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; Toes

OBJECTIVETo retrospective analysis the complications after treatment of metacarpal and phalangeal fractures with internal fixation, and propose measures to prevent or reduce surgical complications.

METHODSFrom July 2007 to October 2009, 342 patients with metacarpal and phalangeal fractures were treated with internal fixation,including 203 males and 139 females with an average age of 30.4 years old ranging from 18 to 56 years. There were 217 right hands and 125 left hands, 38 cases of the first metacarpal fracture, 47 cases of the second metacarpal fracture, 52 cases of the third metacarpal fracture, 40 cases of the forth metacarpal fracture, 39 cases of the fifth metacarpal fracture, 43 cases of the proximal phalangeal fractures, 52 cases of the middle phalangeal fractures, and 48 case of the distal phalangeal fractures. The fractures were fixed with K-wires in 129 patients, mini plates in 153 cases, screws in 48 cases, wires in 12 cases.

RESULTSAll 324 patients were followed up for 3 to 15 months (averaged 8.5 months) and complications occurred in 74 patients (22.84%). The main complication was unhealthy wound healing in 24 patients (7.4%), others was adhesion of tendon in 54 patients (16.67%), malunion in 34 patients (10.49%), nonunion in 13 patients (4.01%) and shortening of metacarpal and phalangeal in 21 patients (7.41%).

CONCLUSIONThe important reasons responsible for complications are iatrogenic factors such as unsuitable implant selection, unskillful surgical technique and improper post-operative functional rehabilitation.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Finger Phalanges ; diagnostic imaging ; injuries ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; adverse effects ; Fractures, Bone ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Metacarpal Bones ; diagnostic imaging ; injuries ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; prevention & control ; Recovery of Function ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Young Adult

This report describes a 22-yr-old professional golfer with acute calcific periarthritis of the proximal interphalangeal joint of the 4th finger. We considered that the major cause for this condition may be the repeated minor traumas to the affected site. Also, since this condition is self-limiting, a correct diagnosis is required to avoid unnecessary tests and surgery.
Acute Disease ; Adult ; Arthralgia/diagnosis/etiology ; Calcinosis/*complications/*radiography ; Cumulative Trauma Disorders/complications/radiography ; Finger Injuries/*complications/*radiography ; Golf/*injuries ; Humans ; Male ; Periarthritis/*etiology/*radiography

A case of post-traumatic sympathetic dystrophy following crushing injury to the left fingers is described. A brachial angiogram showed obliteration of the radial artery at the level of the wrist joint. Following dorsal sympathectomy, the persistent pain was relieved and trophic changes disappeared.
Adult ; Case Report ; Finger Injuries/complications* ; Human ; Male ; Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy/etiology*