Finger palmar surface reconstruction using medial plantar venous flap: possibility of sensory restoration without neurorrhaphy.
BACKGROUND
Because plantar anatomic features are similar to those of the palmar surface of the finger, palmar surface finger reconstruction using a medial plantar venous flap enables grasping without slippage, results in strength that can withstand friction, and provides a cushioning effect. Furthermore, sensory restoration is thought to be excellent due to the similarity of the tissues.


METHODS
We performed finger palmar surface reconstruction in 6 patients using venous flap without harvesting the medial plantar subcutaneous nerve branch and assessed the sensory restoration using a static 2-point discrimination test (s-2PD), moving 2-point discrimination test (m-2PD), and Semmes-Weinstein test (S-W test).


RESULTS
The mean s-2PD at 12 months after surgery was 8.6 mm, the mean m-2PD was 6.00 mm, and the S-W test score was 3.84-3.22


CONCLUSIONS
These findings indicate that sensory improvement can be obtained by finger palmar surface reconstruction without grafting of the medial plantar subcutaneous nerve branch to the digital nerve.
Yokoyama
Toshiya
T
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Fujieda Municipal General Hospital, Fujieda, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. yokotoshi0712@yahoo.co.jp
Hosaka
Yoshiaki
Y
Kusano
Tarou
T
Morita
Masaru
M
Takagi
Shinsuke
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013979:Tibial Nerve / Q000637:transplantation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014680:Veins / Q000637:transplantation*