Objective To summarize the therapeutic effectinevess of incorporating pedicled retrograde flap of forearm transplantation for reconstructing severe contracture of the first web space and wrist. Methods Between November 2005 and February 2010, 26 patients with severe contracture of the first web and wrist were treated. There were 18 males and 8 females with an average age of 27 years (range, 12-45 years). The locations were the right sides in 15 cases and the left sides in 11cases. The injury reason included hot water scald in 7 cases, explosion hurt in 5 cases, traffic accident in 3 cases, hot pressing in 5 cases, and flame burns in 6 cases. The duration of scar contracture ranged from 6 to 26 months with an average of 11 months. According to the evaluation standard by GU Yudong et al., all had severe contracture of the first web space, and concomitant injuries included adduction deformity thumb, l imitation of the thumb extension and opposition function, and carpometacarpal flexion joint deformity. After scar contracture was released, the defect size ranged from 5.8 cm × 4.5 cm to 11.3 cm × 7.2 cm, which were repaired by the incorporating pedicled retrograde flap of forearm of 6.5 cm × 5.0 cm to 12.5 cm × 8.0 cm at size. The donor sites were directly sutured or repaired with skin graft. Results Bl ister and partial necrosis occurred at the distal end of the flaps in 2 cases, which were cured after dressing change. The other flaps survived and wounds healed by first intention. Incisions at donor sites healed by first intention. Twenty-six patients were followed up 6 to 24 months (mean, 15 months). The patients had functional recovery in thumb adduction and opposition at different degrees. At 6 months after operation, according to the Swanson et al. AMA system for total thumb activity, the total thumb function was improved significantly, and according to Jensen et al. measurement, the width and angle of the first web space were significantly increased, all showing significant differences (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion Incorporating pedicled retrograde flap of forearm transplantation for repairing severe contracture of the first web space and wrist could augment the first web space and improve the wrist flexible function.
Objective To investigate the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of acute carpal tunnel syndrome (ACTS) after reduction of Colles’ fracture. Methods Between December 2006 and June 2010, 22 patients with ACTS after reduction of Colles’ fracture were treated with expectant treatment and surgical treatment. There were 9 males and 13 females with an average age of 46.2 years (range, 23-60 years). Fractures were caused by traffic accident in 9 cases, fall ing in 8 cases, fall ing from height in 2 cases, hitting in 2 cases, and crushing in 1 case. The mechanism of fracture was direct violence in 3 cases and indirect violence in 19 cases. According to Gartland ＆ Werley classification, there were 2 cases of type I, 5 cases of type II, 14 cases of type III, and 1 case of type IV. Closed reduction was performed in 19 cases and open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) in 3 cases. The average symptom time of ACTS after reduction of Colles’ fracture was 11.6 hours (range, 1 hour 30 minutes to 48 hours) in patients undergoing closed reduction and was 24 hours in 1 patient and 2 weeks in 2 patients undergoing ORIF. Expectant treatment was performed first, the forearms were put in neutral position in closed reduction cases; if there was no rel ief of ACTS symptom 1 week later, the mixture of 1 mL glucocorticosteroid and 1 mL 2% l idocaine was injected into carpal tunnel once a week for 2 weeks. The mixture was injected into carpal tunnel directly once a week for 2 weeks in ORIF cases. In the patients who failed to expectant treatments, ORIF was performed. Results In 7 cases of type III that failed expectant treatment, ACTS symptoms were rel ief completely after ORIF. All the 22 patients were followed up 12 months on average (range, 8-18 months). The average time of complete disappearance of median nerve compression symptom was 11 days (range, 2-25 days). All the patients had normal finger motion, sensation, and opposition of thumb with no sensation of anaesthesia and pinprick. The results of Tinel test, Phalen test, and Reverse Phalen test were all negative. The X-ray film showed good fracture reduction and heal ing with an average heal ing time of 6 weeks (range, 3-14 weeks). According to GU Yudong’s criteria for functionalassessment, the results were excellent in 18 cases and good in 4 cases; the excellent and good rate was 100%. Conclusion Malposition, displacement of fracture fragments, and ulnar deviation of the wrist after plaster immobil ization are the mostimportant risk factors for ACTS. Expectant treatments are recommended in patients with Colles’ fracture of types I, II, and IV,but surgical treatment is the first choice for Colles’ fracture of type III.
OBJECTIVE: To discuss the method to repair the defects of palm with the improved flaps pedicled with the dorsal carpal branch of ulnar artery. METHODS: The improved flaps were designed on the basis of anatomical distribution of the dorsal carpal branch of ulnar artery and the medial antebrechial cutaneous nerve, the ulnar artery was ligated and cut at the beginning of its dorsal carpal branch. The flap pedicled with dorsal carpal branch including the distal ulnar artery was achieved and applied clinically to repair 15 cases of the skin and soft tissue defects of palm from August 1997 to November 2001. The size of flaps ranged from 7 cm x 5 cm to 12 cm x 8 cm. RESULTS: All of the cases were followed up 3 weeks to 6 months, and the flaps completely survived. There was no ischemia and necrosis at the distal part of flaps and the appearance and function was satisfactory. CONCLUSION: The improved flap has long vascular pedicle, abundant blood supply and sensitive sensation, so it can be used to repair defect of palm.
Objective To compare the long-term results of vascularised fibulargraft and simple autologous fibular graft for reconstruction of wrist after distal bone tumor resection.Methods From January 1979 to September2002, 15 patients with wrist defects due to distal bone tumor resection were treated with vascularised fibular graft or simple autologous fibular graft and followed up 1 year. The results were graded with Enneking’s system and evaluated radiographicallyaccording to the “International Symposium on Limb Salvage”. The grade system included limb function, radiological examination and the function of ankle. Results The limb function of 8 patients with vascularised fibular graft restored to 80% of normal function and the bone union was achieved within 6 months. The limbfunction of 6 patients with simple autologous fibular graft restored to 67% of normal function. The bony union was achieved within 6 months in 4 cases with thebone graft less than 5 cm and in the 13th and 16th months in 2 cases with the bone graft more than 12 cm. Conclusion It is suitable to use the headof fibular boneas a substitute for the distal radius. The healing of vascularised fibular graft is very quick and haven’t the bone resorption. So in the procedure for reconstruction and limb salvage after bone tumor resection of distal radius, the free vascularised fibular graft with fibular head is an ideal substitute.
OBJECTIVE: To introduce the operation method of treatment of nonunion of scaphoid bone by transfer of pedicled radial periosteal bone flap. METHODS: From Match 1986, 26 cases with old nonunion of scaphoid bone were treated by transfer of radial periosteal bone flap pedicled with recurrent branch of radial artery, the size of bone flap was 1.0 cm x 0.4 cm x 0.5 cm. RESULTS: All patients with old nonunion of scaphoid bone were healed by first intention, bone union was occurred after 2 to 3 months of operation, and wrist joint almost recovered normal function. CONCLUSION: It is an effective operation method to treat nonunion of scaphoid bone.