title: Functional pectoralis minor muscle flap transplantation for reconstruction of thumb opposition: an anatomic study and clinical applications.
abstract: In this report, we present the results of an anatomic study on the dimensions of the pectoralis minor muscle and its neurovascular supply in 10 adult human cadavers, in attempt to evaluate the feasibility of microsurgical transplantation of a part of the muscle for thumb opposition reconstruction. A series of five patients consequently underwent thenar reconstruction with the pectoralis minor muscle flap from December 2004 to October 2006. The transferred muscle was reinnervated with the third lumbrical branch of the ulnar nerve. Follow-up assessment showed that the patients recovered functional opposition of carpometacarpal joint with 24 degrees of pronation, and a muscle power with M4 to M5. All patients were satisfied with the appearance of reconstructed thenar eminence. We recommend this new technique for thenar and opposition reconstruction in patients who have severe loss of thenar muscles, injury to the median nerve, and wish to improve the appearance of thenar eminence.
authors.affiliation: Hand and Microvascular Surgery Department, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The 2nd Clinical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Yong-Qing
authors.initials: YQ
authors.lastname: Zhuang
authors.forename: Hong-Tao
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Xiong
authors.forename: Qiang
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.forename: Hao-Li
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Xiao-Kuan
authors.initials: XK
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.forename: Dong
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Du
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tong
authors.forename: Leung-Kim
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Hung
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D058752:Free Tissue Flaps / Q000098:blood supply / Q000294:innervation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010369:Pectoralis Muscles / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000098:blood supply / Q000637:transplantation*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D013933:Thumb / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult