[Reconstruction of digital avulsion with pre-fabricated subdermal vascular network skin flap by ultrasonic liposuction].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the clinical application of subdermal vascular network skin flap pre-fabricated by ultrasonic liposuction in reconstruction of digital avulsion.


METHODS
Forty-seven injured fingers of 23 cases were treated from June 1997 to February 2000. Conventional abdominal skin flap was elevated, according to the size of digital avulsion, and subcutaneous fat was removed with scissors. Ultrasonic liposuction technology was adopted, in order to minimize the injury of subdermal vascular vessels, to remove the fat particles close to the vascular network. Finally, the pre-fabricated skin flap was used to repair the digital avulsion. The vascular pedicle was severed in 5 to 7 days after operation. The range of skin flap was 4 cm x 3 cm to 8 cm x 7 cm, and the ratio of length and width was (2 to 3) to 1.


RESULTS
All the skin flaps were survived. Twenty-one patients were available for postoperative follow-up for 6 to 24 months. The motion of interphalangeal joint achieved functional recovery, and the sensation of pain, temperature and taction recovered well.


CONCLUSIONS
Ultrasonic liposuction does not obviously injure the subdermal vascular network skin flap, it is a simple and safe method for treatment of digital avulsion.
Song
J X
JX
Department of Plastic Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, P.R. China. Drsong@ynmail.com
Xing
X
X
Chen
J P
JP
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D020405:Dermis / Q000098:blood supply*; D005260:Female; D005383:Finger Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D015187:Lipectomy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D013010:Sonication; D013524:Surgical Flaps