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Objective: To investigate the characteristics of the clinical application of ulnar artery flap in the repair of oral and maxillofacial soft tissue defects. Methods: The clinical data of 12 patients with oral and maxillofacial defects repaired with ulnar artery flap between June 2021 and July 2023 was retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 11 cases were male and 1 case was female; their ages ranged from 28 to 76 years, with a mean age of 54.8 years. The lesions were located in the lateral margin of the tongue in 3 cases, the root of the tongue in 2 cases, the base of the tongue in 4 cases, and the buccal region, upper gingiva, and lower lip in 1 case each. The pathological types were squamous cell carcinoma in 11 cases and adenoid cystic carcinoma in 1 case; according to the TNM staging of the International Union Against Cancer (UICC), there were 5 cases of T 3N 0M 0, 2 cases of T 3N 1M 0, 1 case of T 4aN 0M 0, 1 case of T 4aN 1M 0, 1 case of T 4aN 2bM 0, and 2 cases of T 4aN 2cM 0. After complete resection of the lesion, the defect ranged from 6 cm×3 cm to 8 cm×5 cm. Preoperatively, colour Doppler ultrasound was used to detect the non-dominant forearm, measure the thickness of the subcutaneous fat in the donor area, confirm and mark the ulnar artery and reflux vein, and measure the diameter of the vessels, flow velocity, and the perforator position; intraoperatively, the flap was designed, prepared, anastomosed, and positioned according to the corresponding data. The vessels were all anastommosed with one artery and two veins to form a super-reflux. After complete hemostasis, the defects were repaired with sliding flap (2 cases), direct suture (4 cases), biomembrane (2 cases), or razor thin skin graft (4 cases). Results: No vascular crisis occurred after operation, and all the flaps survived in 12 cases. Wounds in the donor site healed by first intention in 10 cases and by second intention in 2 cases. Wounds in the recipient site healed by first intention in all cases. All 12 patients were followed up 5-18 months, with an average of 11.4 months. The colour and texture of the flap were normal. The function of hand and upper limb was evaluated according to the trial standard of upper limb function assessment of the Chinese Society of Hand Surgery of the Chinese Medical Association, and the score was 65-81 (mean, 71.3), and achieved excellent in 1 case and good in 11 cases. The score of Oral Health Impact Scale (OHIP) was 9-18, with an average of 14.2, and the oral function was satisfactory. During the follow-up, 1 case had local recurrence and underwent extended resection again, while the other patients had no recurrence or metastasis. Conclusion: For moderate soft tissue defects with complex oral and maxillofacial function, ulnar artery flap repair is effective.

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The palm is of great importance for maintaining a functioning hand. The reconstructive demands of thickness, texture, color matching, pliability, and sensation for palmar defects represent a unique challenge for plastic surgeons. This study introduced a novel versatile design for the ulnar palmar artery perforator flap (UPAPF) to cover large palmar soft-tissue defects of the hand. The fifth metacarpophalangeal joint was identified as a landmark where the perforator was nearly 1 to 1.5 cm proximal. A template of the defect was outlined after adequate debridement. Meticulous dissection was executed under loupe magnification to trace the perforator until an adequate length of the pedicle was obtained for rotation. The harvested type B fasciocutaneous flap was rotated nearly 90° to be insetting on the palmar defect. Two patients were presented with a soft-tissue defect of the palm measuring 4.8 × 5.5 cm2 and 3.8 × 5 cm2, respectively. The flap was harvested and positioned at the defects. The flaps survived in the 2 cases with minimal donor site complications. The patients acquired protective sensations within the flap at the end of the follow-up period. The UPAPF provides a stable coverage for palmar soft-tissue defects with satisfactory aesthetic and functional results. It is a convenient addition to the armamentarium for reconstructing palmar soft-tissue defects of the hand.

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INTRODUCTION: To prevent infection after limb-sparing surgery for primary malignant bone tumors, it is important to cover the megaprosthesis with muscle tissue that has sufficient blood flow. Coverage with a lateral gastrocnemius flap has been reported in cases of distal femoral replacement in which the vastus lateralis and vastus intermedius muscles have been resected; however, the risk of peroneal nerve palsy is reportedly high because the muscle flap passes near the peroneal head. This study was performed to examine the postoperative outcomes of patients with primary malignant bone tumors of the distal femur who underwent wide resection (including the vastus lateralis and vastus intermedius muscles) followed by reconstruction with a megaprosthesis and coverage of the lateral side of the prosthesis with a sartorius muscle flap. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed three patients who underwent reconstruction with a megaprosthesis after wide resection of a primary malignant bone tumor of the distal femur involving the vastus lateralis and vastus intermedius muscles and reconstruction of the soft tissue defect on the lateral side of the prosthesis with a sartorius muscle flap. RESULTS: The average defect size was 6 × 13 cm, the average time required for a sartorius muscle flap was 100 min, and the average implant coverage was 93%. The average postoperative follow-up period was 35 months, during which no postoperative complications such as infection, skin necrosis, or nerve palsy occurred. DISCUSSION: The distally based sartorius muscle flap is easy to elevate in the supine position, has minimal functional loss after harvesting, and has minimal risk of nerve palsy. It can be advocated as the first option for coverage of soft tissue defects lateral to distal femoral replacement.

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INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Oblique facial clefts are uncommon congenital facial deformities. Among them, Tessier No. 3 cleft is an even rare malformation. This study presents a reconstructive option and curative effect for oblique facial cleft deformity of Tessier No. 3. CASE PRESENTATION: A 10-year-old girl was admitted to our hospital with "congenital facial deformity of right nose and mid-face". The clinical diagnosis was "oblique facial cleft of Tessier classification No. 3", also known as "naso-orbital cleft". The cleft was surgically repaired with an adjacent flap and nasolabial flap. After surgery, the case underwent uneventful healing with a surviving flap, and the deformity was well repaired. At 3 months to 1 year of follow-up, the flap had a similar feature (color and texture) to the contralateral tissue. A good outcome was obtained with minimal scar and face deformity. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Facial cleft is a clinical type of craniofacial cleft. The soft tissue feature of Tessier No. 3 cleft is that the fissure is located in the joint part of the middle nose, lateral nose, and maxillary process. The operation adopts the method of closing the fissure with soft tissue flap and pedicled flap transplantation is a priority method. In this clinical case, the patient with oblique facial cleft of Tessier classification No. 3 was repaired by the adjacent flap and nasolabial flap. CONCLUSION: The application of the adjacent flap and nasolabial flap is a viable option for the reconstruction of oblique facial cleft deformity of Tessier No. 3 in oral surgery.

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BACKGROUND: Extended soft tissue defects of the fingers-irrespective of their origin-are challenging to treat. In cases of missing amputates or crush injuries, the options are often limited to further amputation, ray resection, or free tissue transplantation. The SISAP-flap was developed to add an extra option to treat finger avulsion injuries or otherwise extended soft tissue finger defects. METHODS: Cadaveric SISAP-flaps were individually dissected, tested for arterial perfusion using red ink and radiopaque dye, and transposed into artificially created same-size defects. After introducing this flap in the clinic, which was partially successful in the first patient, we modified the flap to its definite design. RESULTS: Average cadaver flap size ranges between 11 cm and 22 cm in length, allowing dorsal wrapping of the flap over the fingertip and way back to the palmar metacarpophalangeal-joint. The flap is based on the distal web space perforator, which is commonly used by a dorsal metacarpal artery flap and supercharged using an intercompartmental, supraretinacular artery. Donor sites were closed primarily with little tension. Application of the flap in the clinic resulted in satisfactory functional and esthetic outcomes. CONCLUSION: The SISAP-flap is a new option for the reconstruction of extended finger defects and should be added to the reconstructive surgeon's armamentarium of pedicled flaps, providing relatively short operating times and promising clinical outcomes.

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Open fracture management is a common challenge to orthopaedic trauma surgeons and a burdensome condition to the patient, health care, and entire society. Fracture-related infection (FRI) is the leading morbid complication to avoid during open fracture management because it leads to sepsis, nonunion, limb loss, and overall very poor region-specific and general functional outcomes. This review, based on a symposium presented at the 2022 OTA International Trauma Care Forum, provides a practical and evidence-based summary on key strategies to prevent FRI in open fractures, which can be grouped as optimizing host factors, antimicrobial prophylaxis, surgical site management (skin preparation, debridement, and wound irrigation), provision of skeletal stability, and soft-tissue coverage. When it is applicable, strategies are differentiated between optimal resource and resource-limited settings.

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Background: Distal lower extremity reconstruction is challenging. This study aims to propose a protocol for the treatment of traumatic soft tissue defects. The key concept is to combine the surgical armamentarium of the reconstructive surgeon with the advantages provided by hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Methods: This retrospective study analyzed data of 57 patients affected with unilateral or bilateral lower extremity trauma distal to the knee and involving soft tissues with no indication of immediate reconstruction between 2010 and 2021. Before the reconstructive procedure, all the patients underwent a stick swab procedure for the collection of microbiological samples and debridement. Patients were divided into two treatment groups and only one group underwent a combined therapeutic procedure with hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) was employed only if deemed necessary according to the defect's depth and wound exudate. Surgical techniques, outcomes, and complications were discussed. Results: All patients achieved a complete recovery with no major complications and only minor complications observed. The study group treated with HBOT had a lower complication rate and lower percentages of minimal and partial graft loss compared with the same complications observed in the control group. No patients experienced HBOT-related complications. Significant reductions in the time to complete healing and the time from reconstruction to healing were found (p = 0.002 and p < 0.00001, respectively). Conclusions: A lower complication rate was observed in the group treated with HBOT. The administration of HBOT prior to soft tissue reconstruction significantly reduced the time to complete healing and the time interval from skin grafting to healing. However, prospective studies and randomized trials with larger cohorts should be designed to investigate the efficacy of HBOT for the treatment of lower extremity injuries with extensive soft tissue defects.

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Neck reconstruction is challenging task as it requires achievement of both function and aesthetic form as it is exposed and visible part of body. Various reconstruction modalities like Skin graft to free flap has been described in literature (Achauer and Sood's Burns Surgery, edition 2006). We used Supraclavicular artery perforator based island Flap for resurfacing defect in Five patients. After localization of Supraclavicular artery perforator with hand held Doppler; flap was raised in subfascial plane and inset was given under anesthesia. Out of five patients, there were two males and three females. Three patients had Postburn neck contractures, one had post electrical burn defect, and one had post infective defect over neck region. All flaps survived well without any complications. Supraclavicular artery perforator based island Flap is a reliable soft tissue cover for neck defects from various etiologies.

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BACKGROUND: The large soft-tissue defect after total or high sacrectomy for giant sacral tumor induces high incidence of wound complications. It remains a huge challenge to reconstruct the soft-tissue defect and achieve the preferred clinical outcome. METHODS: A total of 27 patients undergoing one-stage total or high sacrectomy for giant sacral tumors between 2016 and 2021 in a tertiary university hospital were retrospectively reviewed. Participants were divided into two groups. Thirteen patients underwent a pedicled vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous (VRAM) flap reconstruction, whereas 14 patients underwent a conventional wound closure. Patient's clinical characteristics, surgical duration, postoperative complications, and outcomes were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Patients in VRAM and non-VRAM groups were similar in baseline characteristics. The mean tumor size was 12.85 cm (range: 10-17 cm) in VRAM group and 11.79 cm (range: 10-14.5 cm) in non-VRAM group (P = 0.139). The most common giant sacral tumor is chordoma. Patients in VRAM group had a shorter length of drainage (9.85 vs 17.14 days), postoperative time in bed (5.54 vs 17.14 days), and total length of stay (19.46 vs 33.36 days) compared with patients in non-VRAM group. Patients in the VRAM group had less wound infection and debridement than patients in non-VRAM group (15.4% vs 57.1%, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the advantages of pedicled VRAM flap reconstruction of large soft-tissue defects after high or total sacrectomy using the anterior-posterior approach. This choice of reconstruction is better than direct wound closure in terms of wound infection, length of drainage, and total length of stay.

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@#After tooth extraction, significant absorption occurs in the soft and hard tissues of the alveolar ridge. The goal of alveolar ridge preservation is to maintain the volume and shape of the alveolar ridge's soft and hard tissues as much as possible so as to provide suitable conditions for implant placement. Currently, there are challenges in classifying the socket for alveolar ridge preservation, such as the difficulty in directly guiding the selection of graft materials and clinical procedures and the insufficient space for particle xenograft maintenance, resulting in poor bone regeneration. Plasmatrix is an autologous blood derivative that effectively enhances tissue regeneration. This article introduced the characteristics of soft and hard tissue defects after tooth extraction and the primary applications of plasmatrix for alveolar ridge preservation (liquid plasmatrix, solid plasmatrix membrane/plug, and plasmatrix bone blocks) as well as the proposed methods for the reclassification of sockets for alveolar ridge preservation based on soft and hard tissue defects at the extraction site to facilitate the creation of clinical recommendations. The proposed classifications are as follows: Class I, extraction socket without bone defect, with or without soft tissue defect; Class Ⅱ, extraction socket with bone defect, both sides with bone wall defect less than 50%, with or without soft tissue defect; Class Ⅲ, extraction socket with bone tissue defect, at least one side with bone wall defect greater than 50%, with or without soft tissue defect. For the Class I socket, a solid plasmatrix membrane or plug is inserted, followed by injection of liquid plasmatrix, using a double-layer solid plasmatrix membrane for socket closure; for the ClassⅡ socket, plasmatrix bone blocks are inserted, followed by injection of liquid plasmatrix and secondary solidification, using absorbable collagen membrane and double-layer solid plasmatrix membrane for socket closure; for the ClassⅢ socket, tenting screws are used to maintain height, followed by implantation of plasmatrix bone blocks, injection of liquid plasmatrix and secondary solidification, using absorbable collagen membrane and double-layer solid plasmatrix membrane for socket closure. The aim of this article is to provide comprehensive knowledge of plasmatrix for oral clinicians to serve as a reference to simplify the clinical decision-making process and procedures for alveolar ridge preservation.

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Objective:To evaluate the viability and clinical effect of polyfoliate anterolateral thigh perforator flap (ALTPF) in reconstruction of large soft tissue defect around ankle.Methods:From June 2019 to October 2022, large soft tissue defects around ankle of 11 patients were reconstructed with ALTPF in the Department of Orthopaedics of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University. The causes of injury were traffic accident in 8 patients and heavy objects in 3 patients. All wounds were large defects (15.0 cm×14.0 cm-30.0 cm×20.0 cm) and combined with various degrees of infection. Intraoperatively, polyfoliate ALTPFs sized 16.0 cm×14.5 cm-23.0 cm×18.5 cm were used in reconstruction of the defects. Deep dead spaces were filled with antibiotic bone cement, and direct suture was performed to close the donor sites or by skin grafting repair. Postoperative follow-ups were scheduled at 1, 3 and 6 months, and 6 monthly thereafter at outpatient clinics and via telephone interviews. The appearance and colour of the flaps and healing of donor sites were recorded together with evaluation of the recovery of ankle motor function according to the ankle-hindfoot rating scale of American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS).Results:All flaps survived. No haematoma or secondary infection occurred at the recipient site after surgery. All donor sites healed primarily. One patient had venous occlusion at the distal end of the polyfoliate ALTPF. The flap survived completely at 1 week after distal venous bloodletting. Postoperative follow-ups lasted 6-24 (15.27±5.21) months. All flaps had good blood supply with satisfactory appearance, similar colour and texture to the recipient sites, and without obvious bloat nor ulceration. Only a linear scar or few skin graft scar was left at the flap donor sites in concealed locations. The mean AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score was (88.36±10.21) point. There were 6 cases of excellent, 4 cases of good, and 1 case of fair.Conclusion:A polyfoliate ALTPF is an ideal flap for reconstruction of soft tissue defects around ankle by converting the length of a flap to the width.

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Objective:To explore the clinical effects of end-to-side anastomosis of non-primary perforating vessels carried by free anterolateral thigh perforator flap (ALTPF) in reconstruction of soft tissue of limb.Methods:Between February 2020 and July 2021, 14 patients with soft tissue defect of limb were admitted in the Department of Hand and Foot Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College. The patients were 12 males and 2 females, aged between 30 and 69 years old, with a median age of 52 years old. One defect was found in left hand, 7 in left foot and ankle and 6 in right foot and ankle. Wound sizes were 7 cm×7 cm-9 cm×22 cm, all accompanied with exposed tendons, nerves or bone tissue. The size of flaps ranged from 8 cm×8 cm to 10 cm×23 cm. ALTPFs carrying non-primary source vessels were applied in reconstruction of soft tissue defects. The non-primary perforating vessels of ALTPF was anastomosed with the artery in recipient site in an end-to-side fashion and the vein of ALTPF was end-to-end anastomosed with the accompanying vein of the recipient artery. All donor sites were sutured directly. The follow-up was conducted by online reviews via WeChat or by visit of outpatient clinics. Appearance of flap and donor site were observed and the aesthetic satisfaction of the patients recipient sites were assessed subjectively using Likert scale.Results:All 14 ALTPFs survived uneventfully. Wound exudation occurred in 1 flap, and healed after dressing change and drainage. All patients received 9-18 (mean 12.6) months of follow-up. The ALTPFs were in good texture and shape. According to the Likert scale, appearance were excellent in 4 flaps, good in 8 flaps and fair in 2 flaps.Conclusion:Application of free ALTPF of non-primary source vessels with end-to-side anastomosis is not only effective in the reconstruction of limb defects, but also has advantages of reliable blood perfusion and cosmetic appearance.

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Objective:To explore the clinical effect of using great toe fibular flaps of both feet on reconstruction of pulp defects of two neighbouring digits.Methods:A total of 14 digit pulp defects in 7 cases were repaired in Zhoukou Huaihai Hospital using great toe fibular flaps of both feet from August 2020 to January 2023. Of the 7 cases, there were 4 males and 3 females, with an average of 28 years old, ranging from 19 to 45 years old. Meanwhile, there were 4 cases in left hand and 3 cases in right hand. There were 3 cases of digit pulp defects in index and middle fingers, 2 in middle and ring fingers, and 2 in thumb and index fingers. The area of soft tissue defect in 1.2 cm×1.5 cm-3.0 cm×2.5 cm, and flap was 1.5 cm ×1.8 cm-3.2 cm×2.8 cm. Furthermore, 1 case underwent emergency surgery and 5 were repaired in elective surgery. The donor site of the flap was closed directly, and an intermediate-thickness skin graft was prepared from the medial plantar area for transfer in the case of high suture tension at the wound edge. After surgery, patients received postoperative by outpatient clinic and WeChat to observe the appearance, sensation, functional recovery and flap contracture of digits, as well as the movement of the great toes of both feet.Results:After the surgery, all flaps in the 7 cases survived smoothly and the donor sites healed. All patients entered scheduled follow-ups postoperatively for 6 months to 2 years, with an average of 9 months. The flap showed an aesthetic appearance and excellent sensation, with a TPD of 3-6 mm, and satisfactory digit function. The donor site of the great toe fibular flap left linear scars only, without abnormality in range of motion and gait in walking. In addition, there were 5 in excellent and 2 in good according to the Evaluation Trial Standards of Upper Limb Partial Functional of Hand Surgery of Chinese Medical Association.Conclusion:Application of great toe fibular flaps of both feet is an ideal option for the simultaneous repair of pulp defects of two neighbouring digits, which can achieve good reconstructive results.

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Periungual warts are frequently encountered in the field of dermatology. Here, we describe the case of a 69-year-old individual who presented with hand warts. The wart growth extended to the finger stump, resulting in a soft tissue defect on the fingertip of the right thumb. A treatment approach involving superficial x-ray therapy in combination with tretinoin was employed to address this finding. The warts disappeared after completing 26 days of the treatment regimen. Fingertip soft tissue defects due to periungual warts are a rare occurrence in clinical settings. This report serves as the first documented case of such a problem successfully managed with the treatment approach mentioned above.

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Objective: To explore the feasibility of using indocyanine green angiography in mapping the superficial temporal vessels and assisting design and harvesting of the superficial temporal artery based forehead flap. Methods: A clinical data of 14 patients with facial soft tissue defects repaired with superficial temporal artery based forehead flaps between October 2015 and November 2022 was retrospectively analyzed. There were 9 males and 5 females with a median age of 9.5 years (range, 3-38 years). The forehead flaps were used to reconstruct facial soft tissue defects following excision of facial scar (8 cases) or congenital melanocyte nevus (6 cases). The size of defects ranged from 3 cm×2 cm to 24 cm×9 cm. Before operation, the indocyanine green angiography was used to map the superficial temporal artery and vein, and to analyze the relationship of the arteries and veins. The forehead flaps with unilateral superficial temporal fascia as the pedicle was transferred to repair the small facial defect in 2 cases. The facial pedicle contained the frontal branch of the superficial temporal artery and 2 cm of the superficial temporal fascia around the vessel, and the tiny accompanying vein of the frontal branch of the superficial temporal artery was used as the outflow of the flap. The forehead flaps with the skin pedicle including bilateral or unilateral superficial temporal fascia and the overlying skin was pre-expanded and transferred to repair the large facial defect in 12 cases. The skin pedicle contained the frontal branch of superficial temporal artery and one of main branches of superficial temporal vein. Among the 12 cases, the frontal branch of superficial temporal vein was used as the outflow in 4 cases, and the parietal branch was used as the outflow in 8 cases. The size of the flaps ranged from 3 cm×2 cm to 30 cm×13 cm. The skin pedicles were divided at 3 weeks after the flap transfer. Results: Indocyanine green angiography could clearly showed the course and branching of the superficial temporal artery and vein. Individual differences existed in the location where the frontal branch of the superficial temporal artery entered the forehead. The superficial temporal vein had great variability and did not follow the artery. One patient had expander-related complication, which resulted in 3-cm flap necrosis. The necrotic tissue was debrided and repaired with skin grafting. The other flaps totally survived and the incisions healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 2-24 months, with a median of 11.5 months. The color, texture, and thickness of the flaps matched well with those of recipient sites. Hypertrophic scar was not observed in recipient or donor site. All patients were satisfied with the reconstructive outcomes. Conclusion: Indocyanine green angiography can clearly visualize the course and the branches of the superficial temporal arteries and veins, which can help surgeons understand the position, distribution, and concomitant relationship of the superficial temporal vessels, and make a rational surgical plan of the forehead flap.

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Background: During free flap surgery, the surgeon sometimes encounters problems with anastomosis such as intractable arterial spasms or vessel size discrepancy in venous anastomoses. End-to-side (ETS) anastomosis has the advantages of limited chance of vessel spasm and easy handling by adjusting for vessel size discrepancy. We introduced the arterial and venous end-to-side anastomosis (AV-ETS) strategy, which is based on the ETS anastomosis to the main artery and accompanying veins, to avoid intraoperative anastomotic problems when creating a free flap. The aim of this study was to compare flap outcomes and intraoperative anastomotic problems before and after introduction of the AV-ETS strategy in extremity free flap surgery. Materials and methods: We retrospectively examined 72 consecutive extremity free flaps. Before introducing the AV-ETS strategy, we used the conventional strategy in which the recipient artery was selected according to the number of the remaining main artery and the anastomosis technique was flexibly changed, although the end-to-end (ETE) technique was used in most cases. Results: The conventional group had 18 flaps and the AV-ETS group had 54 flaps. The rate of flap survival did not differ between these groups, and there were no cases of flap failure after the introduction of the AV-ETS strategy. The AV-ETS group had significantly fewer flaps that required a change in preoperative planning for the recipient artery or anastomotic site of the artery. Conclusions: The AV-ETS strategy may facilitate reliable preoperative planning and the performance of stable free flap surgery without requiring a flexible response during surgery.

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Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of dorsal perforator flap of cross-finger proper digital artery in the treatment of finger soft tissue defect caused by high-pressure injection injury. Methods: Between July 2011 and June 2020, 14 cases of finger soft tissue defect caused by high-pressure injection injury were repaired with dorsal perforator flap of cross-finger proper digital artery. All patients were male, with a mean age of 36 years (range, 22-56 years). The defects were located on the index finger in 8 cases, middle finger in 4 cases, and ring finger in 2 cases. The causes of injury include 8 cases of emulsion paint injection, 4 cases of oil paint injection, and 2 cases of cement injection. The time from injury to debridement was 2-8 hours, with a mean time of 4.5 hours. The soft tissue defects sized from 4.0 cm×1.2 cm to 6.0 cm×2.0 cm. The flaps sized from 4.5 cm×1.5 cm to 6.5 cm×2.5 cm. The donor site of the flap was repaired with skin graft. The pedicle was cut off at 3 weeks after operation, and followed by functional exercise. Results: All flaps and skin grafts at donor sites survived, and the wounds healed by first intention. Twelve patients were followed-up 16-38 months (mean, 22.6 months). The texture and appearance of all flaps were satisfactory. The color and texture of the flaps were similar to those of the surrounding tissues. The two-point discrimination of the flap was 10-12 mm, with a mean of 11.5 mm. There were different degrees of cold intolerance at the end of the affected fingers. At last follow-up, the finger function was evaluated according to the Upper Extremity Functional Evaluation Standard set up by Hand Surgery Branch of Chinese Medical Association, 3 cases were excellent, 8 cases were good, and 1 case was poor. Conclusion: The dorsal perforator flap of cross-finger proper digital artery can effectively repair finger soft tissue defect caused by high-pressure injection injury. The operation was simple, and the appearance and function of the finger recover well.

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BACKGROUND: Soft tissue defects in the hand may result from trauma, oncological procedures, or severe infections. This study aimed to introduce an innovative method for repairing soft tissue defects on the palmar side of the distal segment of the affected finger or fingertip. We explored this surgical method and its curative effect on the volar rotation pedicled flap base on a perforator of the palmar digital artery (VRPF-PPDA) for repairing ventral or fingertip soft tissue defects of the distal segment of the affected finger without impairing its main blood vessels. METHODS: Between June 2019 and January 2021, 13 patients with finger pulp or fingertip soft tissue defects were treated with VRPF-PPDA. Flap survival rate, complication rate, two-point discrimination (2PD), and patient satisfaction were used to evaluate the efficacy of this method. The function of the affected finger was evaluated using the upper limb function evaluation method issued by the Trial Standards for Evaluation of Partial Function of the Upper Extremity of the Chinese Society for Surgery of the Hand of the Chinese Medical Association (CMA) and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Head (DASH) score, 6-12 months after the flap-based operation. RESULTS: Thirteen patients (18 fingers) achieved complete flap survival. The finger pulp flap was full, and no complications occurred. 2PD checks of the flaps revealed that all of them were 4-10 mm in length. According to the Trial Standards for Evaluation of Partial Function of the Upper Extremity of the Chinese Society for Surgery of the Hand of the CMA, hand function was excellent in 12 patients (17 fingers) and good in one patient, with a mean DASH score of 26.05 ± 0.45. Eleven patients selected "excellent" on the subjective satisfaction survey, while the other two selected "good." CONCLUSION: VRPF-PPDA surgery is a simple, effective, minimally invasive, and reliable method for repairing soft tissue defects in the distal finger pulp or fingertips. Optimal esthetic reconstruction and anatomical and functional repair can be achieved in fingers repaired using the VRPF-PPDA surgical approach.

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OBJECTIVE: Composite tissue loss involving the distal finger pulp and the nail is a common but challenging finger injury to restore. This study introduces a reconstruction procedure for a distal finger pulp and nail defect using a partial toenail flap transfer. METHODS: Twenty digits, including 16 thumbs, two index fingers, and two middle fingers, with composite soft tissue defects were treated with a partial toenail flap transfer from October 2015 to January 2020. Shortening revision of the great toe phalanx, a V-Y advancement flap of the toe pulp, and a local pedicle flap from a second toe transfer were used to cover the donor sites, and no skin grafts were required. Functionality was evaluated using the validated Spanish version of the Quick-DASH scale. The aesthetics of both the reconstructed and donor sites were evaluated using the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS). The static two-point discrimination (2-PD) of the finger pulp was used as a measure of tactile agnosia. RESULTS: All donor site wounds healed well. The average follow-up time was 23.6 months (6-39 months). The mean Quick-DASH functional score was 7.1. The VSS scores were 4.02 ± 0.29 and 4.00 ± 0.38 for the reconstructed and donor sites, respectively. The static 2-PD of finger pulp was 4.5 ± 0.76 mm. The patients were satisfied with finger motion, sensory function, and aesthetic contour. CONCLUSIONS: Partial toenail flap transfer is the recommended treatment to regain motion, sensation, function, and a satisfactory aesthetic appearance when considering repairing a composite soft tissue distal finger defect with accompanying loss of the perionychium, particularly in the thumb, index finger, or middle finger.