Innervated radial thenar flap combined with radial forearm flap transfer for thumb reconstruction

A systematic review of outcomes following hand reconstruction using flaps from the superficial palmar branch of the radial artery (SUPBRA) system

BACKGROUND

Flaps based on the superficial branch of the radial artery (SUPBRA) are indicated when homo- or heterodigital flaps are inappropriate, but glabrous or like-for-like reconstruction is required.

AIM

To systematically review the outcomes of hand reconstruction using SUPBRA flaps.

METHODS

PubMed was searched for English-language articles studying SUPBRA flaps in November 2019. Data collected included flap vascular supply, dimensions, complications, donor site closure, and two-point discrimination.

RESULTS

Twenty-six papers were eligible (410 flaps). Flaps were classified as glabrous, nonglabrous or combined. Nonglabrous flaps were either free- (52%) or reverse-flow pedicled (1.7%) wrist flaps. Glabrous flaps were either free palmar (36.3%), reverse-flow pedicled palmar (2%), antegrade-flow pedicled palmar (0.2%) or perforator-based island palmar flaps (3.7%). Combined glabrous/nonglabrous flaps formed 4.1% of flaps. Maximal flap dimensions allowing direct closure were: 3.1 × 6 cm for wrist flaps and <3 × 10 cm for glabrous palmar flaps. Combined flaps can be 10 × 16 cm. Overall, complete and partial flap failure rates were 3.17% and 0.98%, respectively. Most complete failures were due to venous thrombosis. All 220 wrist donor sites were closed directly. Two out of 173 palmar donor sites (≥3.1) could not be primarily closed. Wound complications were rare, but 53.4% of free palmar flaps required debulking. The results of neurorrhaphy were inconsistent.

CONCLUSIONS

Flaps based on the SUPBRA are robust, provide like-for-like reconstruction of glabrous skin defects in one-stage, offer versatility due to diverse skin paddle orientation patterns and are in the same operative field as the defect.

Flaps Based on Palmar Vessels

The glabrous skin of the palm provides the best color and texture match for reconstruction of palmar aspect of fingers following the principle of reconstructing like with like. Few local axial and perforator flaps have been described of the palm for reconstruction of finger defects. This article reviews the various local flaps based on palmar vessels for digital reconstruction and shares the authors' experiences with similar flaps. Indications, clinical applications, surgical anatomy, and operative techniques of different flaps from palmar tissues are discussed. The authors suggest using these flaps for proximal and smaller defects on the palmar aspect of fingers.

Reconstruction of two fingertip amputations using a double thenar flap and comparison of outcomes of surgery using a single thenar flap

BACKGROUND

Although thenar flap for single fingertip amputation is a common and popular surgical technique, double thenar flap technique for patients with two fingertip amputations has rarely been reported in the literature. The purpose of this case-control study was to introduce the double thenar technique and compare the clinical outcomes between single thenar flap and double thenar flap surgical treatments.

METHODS

From January 2005 to December 2014, 92 patients with single fingertip amputations were treated with thenar flap (Group I) and 28 patients with two fingertip amputations were treated with double thenar flap (Group II). These 120 patients were followed-up for a minimum of 12 months postoperatively. At the latest follow-up, the two groups were assessed for pain, cold intolerance in the reconstructed finger, functional outcomes by Chen's criteria, and subjective patient satisfaction.

RESULTS

At the final follow-up, all flaps in both groups had survived. No flap failure occurred. There was no significant difference in cold intolerance (p=0.783), donor site pain (p=0.728), fingertip pain (p=1.000), or paresthesia (p=0.514) between the two groups. A total of 100 (83.3%) patients were completely or fairly satisfied. There was no significant difference in satisfaction between the two groups (p=0.801). According to the Chen criteria, 102 (85%) patients had excellent or good results.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that the double thenar flap technique used for patients with two fingertip amputations produced complete survival with functional outcomes comparable to those of the single thenar flap technique at the last follow-up.

The use of fabricated chimeric flap for reconstruction of extensive foot defects

Repair of extensive foot defects requires both adequate tissues for wound coverage and special tissues for functional reconstruction. To maximize its function reconstruction, fabricated chimeric flaps consisting of multiple separate flaps were designed to reconstruct such defects. Five patients suffered extensive foot defects with sizes ranging from 23 × 12 cm to 38 × 14 cm(2) in multiple regions including heel, forefoot, dorsum, ankle, anterior leg, and even toes. Causes included crushing injuries, avulsion injuries, and scar excision. Most areas of the defects except heel were first covered by latissimus dorsi muscle flap or anterolateral thigh flap and their pedicles were anastomosed with recipient vessels. Then free medial plantar flaps were transferred for heel reconstruction and their pedicles were further attached to either side branches of the main source vessel or to its distal continuation. All chimeric flaps survived uneventfully and all patients were able to walk in normal footwear during the 1.5- to 4-years follow-up. None of the flaps developed ulcer and flap breakdown. The assessment by Maryland Foot Score showed that four of the five patients gained a "good" recovery and one patient showed moderate improvement of foot functions. Appearances of reconstructed heels were near-normal. The results indicate that fabricated chimeric flap has good design flexibility and may provide an option for functional reconstruction of extensive foot defects. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 36:303-309, 2016.

Anatomical Study of the Princeps Pollicis Artery Perforator Flap

BACKGROUND

The volar aspect of the thumb often requires local flaps for reconstruction. This study characterizes perforators of the princeps pollicis artery (PPA) and evaluates the potential of a local propeller-type flap raised using these perforators for reconstruction of these defects.

METHODS

Cadavers underwent whole-body lead-oxide injection and were then imaged using a 64-slice spiral computed tomographic scanner. The DICOM images were imported into Materialise's Interactive Medical Imaging Control System (Materialise, Belgium) for 3-dimensional reconstruction of the microvasculature. The number, length, caliber, and location of perforators arising from the PPA were determined and a plot was generated illustrating the relative distribution of perforators.

RESULTS

A total of 16 PPA perforators were identified in the 8 specimen hands. Perforators had a mean (SD) diameter of 1.2 (0.4) mm and mean (SD) length of 8.9 (4.8) mm. The PPA perforators were consistently identified along the radial aspect of the thenar region. Seventy percent of all PPA perforators can be found over the distal 50% of the MC [20%-54%; mean (1SD)].

CONCLUSIONS

Perforators of the PPA were found in all hands and the average caliber and length of the perforators identified is sufficient for the creation of a local perforator flap. This, coupled with the mean location of these perforators, arising near the base of the thumb, confirms that a cutaneous flap from the thenar region can be raised based on this perforator as a propeller flap to obtain coverage of distal cutaneous defects of the thumb.

The microvascular thenar flap as a new possibility for super-thin soft tissue reconstruction in the oral cavity--initial clinical results

We report the first clinical use of a free microvascular thenar flap for reconstruction of intraoral soft tissues. In 9 patients with a recurrent oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), a new primary oral SCC, or a defect of the hard palate after radiotherapy, we covered the soft tissue defect, after resection of the tumour or local preparation, with a microvascular thenar flap. All patients had had combined resection and irradiation for treatment of the initial tumour. In every case the thenar flap was harvested from the left forearm. Arteries were anastomosed to cervical arteries on either side. The veins were anastomosed to the deep jugular or subclavian vein. Patients were followed up clinically after 3, 6, and 12 months and radiologically every 6 months. The mean length of the pedicle was 21 cm. The mean width of the flap was 27 mm (range 24-30) and the mean length 37 mm (range 26-49). All anastomoses worked well. All flaps healed without major complications. A thin but stable layer of soft tissue resulted in every case. All patients were able to wear their prostheses. Good functional and aesthetic results were seen at each follow-up visit, and there were no signs of relapse. The microvascular thenar flap is well-suited for reconstruction of thin layers of soft tissue in the oral cavity. The long pedicle and hairlessness are also ideal for covering intraoral defects after previous operations and in necks with few if any vessels. Primary wound closure is possible in many cases.

Evaluation of moving and static two point discriminations of volar forearm skin before and after transfer as a sensate radial forearm island flap in reconstruction of degloving injury of the thumb

In degloving injury of the thumb the large skin defect needs cover with sensate, glabrous and pliable skin. Although coverage of this defect with a sensate free flap from the foot is the best choice, most commonly, cover is achieved using a non-sensate distant pedicle flap. Between 2001 and 2003, degloving injuries of the thumb in eight patients were reconstructed using a sensate radial forearm flap in the sensory territory of the lateral ante-brachial nerve of the forearm which was repaired to the digital nerve of the thumb (six cases) or to a branch of the sensory radial nerve (two cases). Follow-up period ranged from 17 to 41 months (mean: 29.9 months). Sensory evaluation was performed using the moving two point discrimination (M-2PD) and static two point discrimination (S-2PD) of the volar forearm skin. These altered significantly after transfer and their values approached those of the contra-lateral thumb but never reached normal sensation (p<0.01). Sensate radial forearm island flap is a reliable option to cover a large defect of the thumb such as degloving injury and the sensation produced is acceptable.

Composite osteocutaneous groin flap combined with neurovascular island flap for thumb reconstruction

Three amputated thumbs were reconstructed with a composite osteocutaneous groin flap and a neurovascular island flap. The average age at the time of surgery was 28 (range 25-35) years. The level of the amputation was distal to metacarpophalangeal joint in two cases and proximal in one case. The injury mechanism was avulsion in all cases. The postoperative follow-up periods ranged from 27 to 30 months. There were no cases of skin necrosis, bone resorption or infection. Radiographs and three-phase bone scans showed union of the iliac bone block and the stump without any resorption in all three patients. This surgical procedure is reliable and simple and the functional results are satisfying. We reserve this technique for the treatment of thumb amputations which cannot be replanted, particularly as it does not result in bone resorption.

[Reconstruction of the thumb using a forearm osseofasciocutaneous reverse flap]

This paper presents the experiences of the thumb reconstruction with osteofasciocutaneous reverse flap (OFCR flap). In the period between 1987 and 2000 the OFCR flap was used in 15 patients. The youngest of them was 18 and the oldest was 38 years of age. The average age was 25.4. All the patients had posttraumatic amputations. Defects on proximal phalangae and a part of metacarpal bone occurred in two cases. In one case there was an amputation on the base level of proximal phalanx and the metacarpophalangeal (MPH) joint was preserved. In all cases of reconstruction the OFCR flap was used, which included antebrachial skin nervs that were anastomosed with digital nerv. The flap nutrition was carried out through the reverse circulation of a. radialis, and the venous drainage through the comitant vein of a. radialis. Superficial veins were not anastomosed. Secondary defects were covered with a free skin graft. All the flaps survived. The bone graft was healed in the period of eight weeks. The sensibility of this flap was regained in the period of three to six months after the surgery. The distance of two-point discrimination (TPD) was increased for 30% compared to the same region on the other hand after six months. The opposition of the reconstructed thumb to the other fingers was possible, as well as abduction, adduction and normal grasp. The method of reconstruction of the amputated thumb with the OFCR flap was better than other classical methods because it allowed the reconstruction of all the structures in one surgical operation. The sensibility that was regained represented good protection from injuries. There were no functional damages on the secondary defect. The esthetic result was not good due to the lack of a fingernail.