A combination of soft tissue and digital nerve defects in the finger results in sensory loss of the finger pulp. Reconstruction of these combined injuries is difficult. When the neurocutaneous defect is associated with wound infection, reconstructive alternatives are more limited. From July 2008 to May 2010, a retrospective study was conducted with 9 consecutive postinfection patients who had the neurocutaneous defect of the finger following trauma. The purpose of this retrospective study is to report repair of the complicated infected wound in the finger using the bipedicled nerve flap and to evaluate the efficacy of this technique.
sensation of the flaps is assessed using static two-point discrimination (2PD) and Semmes-Weinstein monofilament (SWM) testing at final follow-up. The cold intolerance of the injured finger is measured using the self-administered Cold Intolerance Severity Score questionnaire that was rated into mild, moderate, severe, and extreme (0-25, 26-50, 51-75 and 76-100). Patients report their satisfaction with functional recovery of the injured finger according to the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire that was based on a 5-point response scale.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
9
Based on the Teoh et al.'s technique, we combined the nerve graft into the bipedicled heterodigital arterialized island flap and used this composite flap tissue for reconstructing complicated infected wound in the finger.
The Second Hospital of Tangshan
Tangshan, Hebei, China
2-point Discrimination Test
The 2-point Discrimination Test determines the minimal distance at which a subject can sense the presence of two needles. The modified American Society for Surgery of the Hand guidelines were used to stratify Discriminator measurements (excellent \<6 mm; good 6-10 mm; fair 11-15 mm; poor \>15 mm. The test points were at the center of the radial or ulnar portion of the pulp. Each area was tested 3 times with a Discriminator (Ali Med, Dedham, MA). Two out of 3 correct answers were considered proof of perception before proceeding to another lower value. We stopped at 4 mm as a limit of 2PD and considered this normal. The assessments were performed at a single time point at the final follow up.
Time frame: 17-25 months
Semmes-Weinstein (SW) Monofilament Test
The test points were at the center of the radial or ulnar portion of the pulp. The donor site, i.e. radial- or ulnar-dorsal aspect of the middle phalanx of the donor digit, was also evaluated.
Time frame: 17-25 months
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