title: Functional sensory function recovery of random-pattern abdominal skin flap in the repair of fingertip skin defects.
abstract: The fingertip skin defect is a common hand injury often accompanied by tendon or bone exposure, and is normally treated with flaps. The aim of this study was to evaluate the functional sensory recovery of random-pattern abdominal skin flap in the repair of fingertip cutaneous deficiency. A total of 23 patients, aged between 18 and 50 years (mean age, 31 years) with fingertip cutaneous deficiency (30 digits) were treated with random-pattern abdominal skin flaps. The post-debridement defect area measured from 0.7×1.2 to 2.5×3 cm. The flap pedicle was divided three weeks after surgery, which marked the onset of the second stage. A second surgery was performed on 2 patients after 3 months and on another set of 2 patients after 6 months to create a thinner flap. Tissue was dissected during surgery for a histological examination. All the flaps survived and the post-operative follow-up ranged from 2 weeks to 6 months. Patients were satisfied with the appearance of their fingers and the flaps. All flaps demonstrated satisfactory flexibility and texture and sensory recovery was achieved. Only 4 patients were subjected to a second surgery to make the flap thinner. The flaps for the 3-month tissue section had several low-density, free nerve endings, whereas those of the 6-month section had more intensive free nerve endings, nerve tracts, tactile cells and lamellar corpuscles. Random-pattern abdominal skin flap therefore repairs fingertip skin defects achieving sensory recovery.
authors: Department of Hand Surgery, The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050051,  P.R. China.
authors: Ya-Dong
authors: YD
authors: Yu
authors: Ying-Ze
authors: YZ
authors: Zhang
authors: Wei-Dong
authors: WD
authors: Bi
authors: Tao
authors: T
authors: Wu
keywords: cutaneous deficiency; finger tip; free flap; sensory function
references: Plast Reconstr Surg. 1983 Oct;72(4):439-47
references: 6351136
references: Zhongguo Xiu Fu Chong Jian Wai Ke Za Zhi. 1999 Jul;13(4):193-8
references: 12080795
references: Zhonghua Zheng Xing Shao Shang Wai Ke Za Zhi. 1990 Sep;6(3):217-8
references: 2276067
references: Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi. 1994 Oct;74(10):624-5, 647-8
references: 7842342
references: Br J Plast Surg. 1993 Jan;46(1):48-55
references: 7679305
references: Plast Reconstr Surg. 1974 May;53(5):568-75
references: 4595231
references: Plast Reconstr Surg. 1986 Nov;78(5):652-64
references: 3763751
references: Microsurgery. 1987;8(3):168-72
references: 3670040
references: Microsurgery. 1998;18(3):192-6
references: 9727934
references: Plast Reconstr Surg. 1993 Aug;92(2):238-47
references: 8337273
references: Head Neck. 2004 Oct;26(10):884-9
references: 15390196
references: Plast Reconstr Surg. 1976 Mar;57(3):275-80
references: 769004
references: Brain Res. 1983 Dec 12;288(1-2):61-75
references: 6661636