OBJECTIVE: To explore the method and effectiveness of index finger proximal dorsal island flap supplied by the nutrient vessels of superficial branch of radial nerve for treatment of thumb skin and soft tissue defect. METHODS: Between August 2019 and December 2024, 12 patients with thumb skin and soft tissue defects caused by trauma accompanied by variation of the first dorsal metacarpal artery were treated. There were 8 males and 4 females, aged 19-55 years, with an average age of 32 years. The wound area ranged from 2.2 cm×2.0 cm to 5.5 cm×3.5 cm. The time from injury to operation ranged from 1.5 to 6.0 hours, with an average of 4.5 hours. After thorough debridement, the wound was repaired with a index finger proximal dorsal island flap supplied by the nutrient vessels of the superficial branch of the radial nerve. The flap area ranged from 2.4 cm×2.2 cm to 6.0 cm×4.0 cm. The donor site was repaired with free skin grafting. Regular follow-up was conducted postoperatively to observe the appearance, texture, sensory recovery of the flap, and the condition of the donor site. RESULTS: The operation time ranged from 30 to 72 minutes, with an average of 47 minutes; intraoperative blood loss ranged from 30 to 70 mL, with an average of 46 mL. After operation, partial necrosis occurred at the skin edge of the radial incision on the dorsum of the hand in 1 case, which healed after dressing changes; all other flaps survived uneventfully, with primary wound healing. The skin grafts at the donor sites all survived. All 12 patients were followed up 5-36 months, with an average of 14 months. The appearance and texture of the flaps were good. At last follow-up, the two-point discrimination of the flaps ranged from 4 to 9 mm, with an average of 5.2 mm. According to the functional evaluation criteria for upper limb issued by the Hand Surgery Society of Chinese Medical Association, the results were excellent in 11 cases and good in 1 case. No scar contracture, pain, or joint movement limitation was observed at the donor sites. CONCLUSION For patients with skin and soft tissue defects of the thumb accompanied by variation of the first dorsal metacarpal artery, the index finger proximal dorsal island flap supplied by the nutrient vessels of the superficial branch of the radial nerve can be selected. This method has advantages such as shorter operation time, less intraoperative bleeding, and good postoperative appearance and sensation of the flap.
Humans ; Male ; Adult ; Female ; Thumb/surgery* ; Soft Tissue Injuries/surgery* ; Radial Nerve/surgery* ; Middle Aged ; Surgical Flaps/innervation* ; Plastic Surgery Procedures/methods* ; Skin Transplantation/methods* ; Young Adult ; Treatment Outcome ; Fingers/surgery* ; Skin/injuries*

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of tibial nerve transection with epineurial suture and division of the common plantar digital nerve branches in the treatment of congenital macrodactyly in children. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data from 9 children with congenital macrodactyly who met the selection criteria and were admitted between January 2018 and December 2024. The cohort included 4 boys and 5 girls, aged 1-6 years (median, 3 years). Syndactyly of the second and third toes was present in 2 patients. Hypertrophy distribution was as follows: 1 case of single-ray involvement, 4 of double-ray, 1 of triple-ray, 1 of quadruple-ray, and 2 of quintuple-ray. Preoperatively, 7 cases exhibited limitations in both active and passive flexion and extension of the affected toes; in 2 cases, active movement was restricted while passive motion remained intact. All 9 children were unable to wear standard-sized footwear for the unaffected foot. Six presented with a limp, and 3 had difficulty walking. All 9 cases were moderate to severe progressive macrodactyly, and the growth rate of the affected foot was significantly faster than that of the healthy side. Six cases had undergone prior surgical interventions at other institutions, but disease progression continued postoperatively. All 9 patients underwent tibial nerve transection with epineurial suture and selective division of the common plantar digital nerve branches. At last follow-up, the foot growth rate was calculated (compared with that immediately after operation), and the changes of plantar pain sensation in the affected foot were detected before operation, immediately after operation, and at last follow-up, and the surgical efficacy was evaluated based on improvements in shoe fit and gait function. RESULTS: All 9 children were followed up 6-36 months, with an average of 18 months. All the incisions healed by first intention, and no infection or plantar ulceration occurred. At last follow-up, the growth rate of the affected foot was 0.10 (0.04, 0.14) cm/month, which was significantly slower than that of the healthy foot [0.14 (0.08, 0.18) cm/month] ( Z=3.951, P<0.001). Preoperatively, plantar pain sensation was absent in all cases; it was restored immediately after operation. At last follow-up, 6 patients had absent pain sensation, 2 had partial preservation (involving certain toes and central plantar regions), and 1 patient (with 3-year follow-up) exhibited regained sensation in multiple plantar areas. Gait improved in most cases, in which 8 children achieved normal ambulation, while 1 continued to limp due to leg-length discrepancy. Surgical efficacy were rated as excellent in 1 case, good in 7, and fair in 1. CONCLUSION Tibial nerve transection with epineurial suture combined with selective division of the common plantar digital nerve branches effectively reduces the growth rate of congenital macrodactyly in children, has minimal impact on plantar sensory function, and does not result in plantar ulcers or impaired ambulation.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Child, Preschool ; Child ; Retrospective Studies ; Infant ; Tibial Nerve/surgery* ; Toes/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome ; Suture Techniques ; Fingers/surgery* ; Foot/innervation* ; Limb Deformities, Congenital

OBJECTIVE: To explore the efficacy of ultrasound-guided selective nerve block anesthesia in the distal third of the forearm while maintaining active flexion and extension during surgery for stenosing tenosynovitis. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 61 patients including 15 males and 46 females with American Society of Anesthesiologists(ASA)gradesⅠorⅡ, who underwent surgery for stenosing tenosynovitis in our hospital between January 2017 and January 2022. These patients, aged from 16 to 72 years old (weighing 44 to 75 kg), underwent selective nerve blocks targeting the median and ulnar nerves at the middle and distal third of the forearm, and the superficial branch of radial nerve at the dorsal radial side of wrist joint, under ultrasound guidance. A 0.5% ropivacaine solution was used for each nerve block. The anesthetic dosage for each nerve was recorded, and the efficay of each nerve block was monitored by acupuncture every 30 seconds post-administration. The onset time and ability to perform active finger flexion and extension were recorded. Outpatient or telephone follow-up was performed 1, 3 and 6 months postoperatively to evaluate the efficacy of release. RESULTS: The efficacy of anesthesia block was excellent in 60 patients and good in 1 patient. One patient with simple stenosing tenosynovitis of the middle finger reported slight pain intraoperatively, which resolved with additional block of superficial branch of radial nerve of the wrist. Superficial branch of radial nerve was blocked in 20 patients, with a single dose of (1.7±0.3) ml and the onset time of (0.6±0.2) min. Median nerve was blocked in 45 patients, with a single dose of (4.1±1.0) ml and the onset time of (1.2±0.3) min;Ulnar nerve was blocked in 16 patients, with a single dose of (3.9±0.5) ml and the onset time of (1.7±0.3) min. All the patients retained active flexion and extension of the fingers. All 61 patients were followed up for 6 to 10 months with an average of (8.0±2.0) months, and no recurrence was observed. CONCLUSION Ultrasound-guided selective nerve block of distal third of the forearm can provide safe, rapid and good anesthesia for patients undergoing surgery for stenosing tenosynovitis of fingers, while maintaining the active finger movement. This technique facilitates intraoperative assessment of release and improves overall surgical outcomes.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Nerve Block/methods* ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Retrospective Studies ; Aged ; Adolescent ; Young Adult ; Fingers/innervation* ; Tendon Entrapment/physiopathology*

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical outcomes of the use of the perforator propeller flaps based on the end dorsal branch of digital proper artery in the same finger in repair of finger pulp defects and sensory reconstruction in children.

METHODSTwenty-three children (31 fingers) with index, middle, ring or little finger pulp defects were hospitalized from September 2012 to December 2013. The area of finger pulp defects ranged from 1.2 cm × 1.0 cm to 2.0 cm × 1.5 cm. The perforator propeller flaps based on the end dorsal branch of digital proper artery in the same finger were used to repair the defects, with the flap size ranging from 1.3 cm × 1.2 cm to 2.2 cm × 1.6 cm. The dorsal branch of the digital proper nerve of the flap was conducted end-to-end anastomosis with the broken end of the nerve of the wound to reconstruct sensation. The donor sites were covered with autologous full-thickness skin obtained from inner aspect of the thigh.

RESULTSPrimary healing of the wounds and donor sites were achieved in all 23 children. All the flaps and skin grafts of donor sites survived. All the patients were followed up for 6 to 20 months, with mean time of 14 months. At the last follow-up, the flaps and donor sites were in good appearance, the finger pulps were mellow and plump, with no obvious pigmentation or cicatricial contracture. The sensation of finger pulps reached S3(+), and the distance of two-point discrimination ranged from 4.5 to 6.0 mm, with mean distance of 5.1 mm. Twenty-one parents of the patients were strongly satisfied with the appearance of the repaired fingers, and the other 2 parents also expressed satisfaction.

CONCLUSIONSTransplantation of the perforator propeller flap based on the end dorsal branch of digital proper artery in the same finger is a safe and reliable method for the repair of index, middle, ring, and little finger pulp defects and sensory reconstruction of children. The flaps are with good blood supply, appearance and sensory function after operation.

Arteries ; innervation ; Child ; Contracture ; Finger Injuries ; surgery ; Fingers ; blood supply ; innervation ; surgery ; Humans ; Perforator Flap ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Skin ; Skin Transplantation ; methods ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; surgery ; Surgical Flaps ; blood supply ; Treatment Outcome ; Wound Healing

OBJECTIVEAlthough most of nerve injuries associated with Monteggia fracture-dislocation in children are neurapraxias and will recover spontaneously after conservative treatment, surgical exploration of the involved nerve is always required in the cases with the entrapment of posterior interosseous nerve (PIN). However, the necessity and time frame for surgical intervention for specific patterns of nerve dysfunction remains controversial. The aim of the report is to observe and understand the pathology of PIN injury associated with Monteggia fracture-dislocation in children, and to propose the possible indication for the exploration of nerve.

METHODSEight cases, six boys and two girls, with Monteggia fracture-dislocation complicated by PIN injury, managed operatively at the authors?Hospital from 2007 to 2008 were retrospectively reviewed. All the patients underwent the attempted closed reduction before they received exploration of PIN, with open reduction and internal fixation or successful closed reduction.

RESULTSThe PIN was found to be trapped acutely posterior to the radiocapitellar joint in 4 out of 5 Type III Bado's Monteggia fractures. In the remaining cases, since there were longer time intervals from injury to operation, chronic compressive changes and epineural fibrosis of radial nerve were visualized. After a microsurgical neurolysis performed, the complete recovery in the nerve function was obtained in all the cases during the follow-up.

CONCLUSIONThe findings from this study suggest that every case of type III Monteggia fracture-dislocation with decreased or absent function of muscles innervated by PIN and an irreducible radial head in children should be viewed as an indication for immediate surgical exploration of the involved nerve to exclude a potential PIN entrapment.

Female ; Fingers ; innervation ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Humans ; Male ; Monteggia's Fracture ; complications ; Muscle, Skeletal ; innervation ; Nerve Compression Syndromes ; etiology ; surgery ; Recovery of Function ; Retrospective Studies ; Thumb ; innervation ; Wrist ; innervation

OBJECTIVETo investigate the causes and operations for entrapment syndrome of posterior interosseous nerve caused by elbow cyst.

METHODSForm March 2005 to March 2012,5 patients with entrapment syndrome of posterior interosseous nerve caused by elbow cyst were treated with surgical excision and neurolysis including 3 males and 2 females with an average age of 50.4 years old ranging from 35 to 60 years old. The course was from 3 to 10 months with an average of 6.3 months. The main clinical symptoms were pain on the outside of the forearm. The extension muscle power of the metacarpophalangeal joints at the fingers and the wrist had decreased. The EMC showed neurogenic damage or nerve conduction slowing down. According to the functional neurological evaluation standard of British Medical Research Institute ,the motion and sensory function after nerve injury was assessed.

RESULTSPatients were followed up for 3 to 15 months with an average of 8.5 months. Wound healing in patients was good after the operations. There were no significant complications. Three patients were excellent (M4S3+) and 2 patients were good (M3S3). The hand joint function of 5 patients recovered well after operation.

CONCLUSIONThe surgical excision and neurolysis for treatment of entrapment syndrome of posterior interosseous nerve caused by elbow ganglions cyst can remove the entrapment syndrome of the posterior interosseous nerve thoroughly ,promote the neurological function recovery. According to the functional evaluation standard ,operations achieved better therapeutic effect.

Adult ; Bone Cysts ; complications ; Elbow ; innervation ; surgery ; Female ; Fingers ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nerve Compression Syndromes ; etiology ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Wrist ; physiopathology

No abstract available.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome/*ultrasonography ; Electromyography ; Fingers/innervation ; Humans ; Median Nerve/*ultrasonography ; Ultrasonography, Doppler

Lipofibromatous hamartoma of the nerve is a benign tumor, which affects the major nerves and their branches in the human body. It is often found in the median nerve of the hand and is commonly associated with macrodactyly, but it is rarely found in the digital nerves at the peripheral level. This tumor is often found in young adults and may go through a self- limiting course. However, operation is indicated when the tumor size is large or when the associated nerve compressive symptoms are present. We have experienced a rare case of lipofibromatous hamartoma that symmetrically involved the volar digital nerves of both index fingers on the ulnar side. With the aid of a microscope, we dissected and removed the tumor as much as possible without sacrificing the nerve. No sensory change occurred in both fingers and no sign of recurrence was observed upon follow-up.
Adipose Tissue/pathology ; Adult ; Female ; Fingers/*innervation/pathology ; Hamartoma/complications/*pathology ; Humans ; Nerve Compression Syndromes/etiology/*pathology