[One-stage toenail lengthening: a report of 9 cases].
OBJECTIVE
To summarize clinical application of one-stage toenail lengthening in free second toe transfer for reconstruction of the thumb (finger).


METHODS
Nine patients (male 7, female 2) underwent thumb (finger) reconstruction with second toe transfer were treated by one-stage toenail lengthening technique. Eight were the thumb and 1 was the index finger. Patients aged from 18 to 46 years,with an average of 25 years. A rectangle skin was resected at 0.5 cm away from the eponychium, which was 0.2 cm high and as wide as the toenail. Then stripped U shape flap gently towards proximal end and sutured it. During the operation, the injury of the subcutaneous vascular network should be avoided.


RESULTS
Superficial infection at donor area happened in 1 case and was healed by changing dressings. All the reconstruction thumbs (fingers) had survived completely. 2 to 3 mm extending of toenail length was obtained and the appearance of thumb (finger) was improved. There was no growth deformation of toenail. After 7 to 24 months follow up (the average time 13 months), the appearance of the nail was good.


CONCLUSIONS
One-stage toenail lengthening in free second toe transfer for reconstruction of the thumb (finger), which can obtain a satisfactory appearance of the nail and have no influence on the motion of the reconstruction thumb (finger), is a simple and an effective operative procedure.
Zhang
Gong-Lin
GL
Department of Hand Surgery Center, Orthopaedics and Traumatology Hospital of Wenling, Wenling 317500, Zhejiang, China. 668zgl@163.com
Guo
Ao
A
Zhang
Ming
M
Xu
Zhao-Yao
ZY
Zhang
Ling-Zhi
LZ
Wang
Shun-Bing
SB
Li
Jun
J
Wu
Fa-Lin
FL
Yu
Hui
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009262:Nails / Q000637:transplantation*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods; D013933:Thumb / Q000601:surgery*