Functional sensory function recovery of random-pattern abdominal skin flap in the repair of fingertip skin defects

Yu,Ya-Dong; Zhang,Ying-Ze; Bi,Wei-Dong; Wu,Tao

doi:10.3892/etm.2012.877

March 2013 Volume 5 Issue 3

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March 2013 Volume 5 Issue 3

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Article

Functional sensory function recovery of random-pattern abdominal skin flap in the repair of fingertip skin defects

Authors:
- Ya-Dong Yu
- Ying-Ze Zhang
- Wei-Dong Bi
- Tao Wu
View Affiliations / Copyright

Affiliations: Department of Hand Surgery, The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050051, P.R. China
Pages: 830-834
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Published online on: December 24, 2012

https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2012.877
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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 0.7x1.2 to 2.5x3 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.

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Journals

International Journal of Molecular Medicine

International Journal of Oncology

Molecular Medicine Reports

Oncology Reports

Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine

Oncology Letters

Biomedical Reports

Molecular and Clinical Oncology

World Academy of Sciences Journal

International Journal of Functional Nutrition

International Journal of Epigenetics

Medicine International

Functional sensory function recovery of random-pattern abdominal skin flap in the repair of fingertip skin defects

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