[Decorative repair and reconstruction of subtotal thumb and finger defect with trimmed toe flap transfer].
OBJECTIVE
In partial loss of distal finger segment, a corresponding part of the toe tissue compound is harvested and transplanted for repair or reconstruction. This new procedure gives forth a new concept and is called decorative repair or reconstruction.


METHODS
In a series of 77 patients with 88 thumb and/or finger subtotal defects in forms of lateral half, dorsal half or volar half composite tissue defects were reconstructed with lateral nail-skin flap, dorsal skin-nail flap or pulp flap taken from corresponding part of the toes. The blood circulations were re-established by anastomosing digital arteries of the toe transplants and fingers.


RESULTS
In this series 75 patients with 78 fingers reconstructed are successful. The overall survival rate is 97.5%. Follow-up examinations made half to 12 years postoperatively showed the fingers are having a normal length, outward appearance and function. There are nails preserved. The pulps are full. Sweating function are present. Two-point-discrimination tests are between 4-6 mm.


CONCLUSIONS
By decorative reconstruction of subtotal dorsal, lateral, or volar halves defect of thumb and/or fingers by transplanting corresponding part of soft tissue taken from the toe has the merit of repair of any parts of tissue loss precisely what is needed. This procedure is better than any traditional toe-to-hand transfer and realizing the exact meaning of decorative reconstruction.
Cheng
Guo-liang
GL
Department of Hand Surgery, The 401st Hospital, PLA, Qingdao 266071, China.
Fang
Guang-rong
GR
Hou
Shu-jian
SJ
Yuan
Guang-hai
GH
Wang
Zhen-Jun
ZJ
Zhang
Yun-fei
YF
Ding
Xiao-heng
XH
Tang
Hai-ping
HP
Yang
Zhi-xian
ZX
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005383:Finger Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013933:Thumb / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D014034:Toes / Q000098:blood supply / Q000637:transplantation; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D055815:Young Adult