Free Dorsal Digital Flap for Reconstruction of Volar Soft Tissue Defect of Digits

The aim of the current report is to investigate the feasibility of transferring the free dorsal digital flap, including both dorsal branches of the proper digital nerves (PDNs), to reconstruct the volar soft tissue defect of digits. Sensory restoration of the reconstructed digit was evaluated via static two-point discrimination (2PD). The range of motion (ROM) of the donor middle and ring fingers was measured.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Nerve Injury; Digital Pulp Defect
• Intervention / Treatment: Procedure: Free dorsal digital flap

Detailed Description

Sensory restoration of the reconstructed digit was evaluated via static two-point discrimination (2PD). The range of motion (ROM) of the donor middle and ring fingers was measured. The data were compared with those of the contralateral, uninjured hand.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 12
• Phase: Not Applicable

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 15 years to 60 years (Child, Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

1. soft tissue defects in the fingertip, pulp, or volar surface of the digits;
2. a defect > 2 cm in length;
3. unavailability of the homodigital and heterodigital island flaps because of concomitant injuries to donor fingers; and
4. the patient refuses to use tissues from the toe.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. soft tissue defects in the dorsum of the digits;
2. a defect < 2 cm in length;
3. homodigital and heterodigital island flaps are available.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: N/A
• Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

1

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Other: finger; Free dorsal digital flap transferring is used for reconstruction of soft-tissue defects	Procedure: Free dorsal digital flap; The dorsal digital flap, including both dorsal branches of the proper digital nerves, was designed on the dorsum of the donor finger between the distal third of the proximal phalanx and the distal interphalangeal joint.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
static 2-point discrimination (2PD) test	The test points were at the centers of the radial and ulnar portions of the digital pulp and the donor sites separately. Each area was tested 3 times with a Dellon-Mackinnon discriminator. Two out of 3 correct answers were considered proof of perception before proceeding to another lower value.	25 months

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: The Second Hospital of Tangshan
• Collaborators: Chinese PLA General Hospital

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: May 1, 2007
• Primary Completion (Actual): May 1, 2009
• Study Completion (Actual): October 1, 2011

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: February 10, 2012
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 14, 2012
• First Posted (Estimated): February 15, 2012

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): January 22, 2024
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 19, 2024
• Last Verified: February 1, 2012

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: dorsal digital free flap; dorsal branch of proper digital nerve; dorsal branch of proper digital artery; proper digital artery
• Other Study ID Numbers: Tschen3886