Wrap-around Free Flap in Acute Thumb Injury

족무지 유리피부편을 이용한 급성 수무지 손상의 치료

Firstly the wrap-around free flap from the great toe was transferred successfully by Morrison and O'Brien in 1980 for reconstruction in chronic case of amputated thumb distal to the MP joint. Since then, significant bone peg resorption and grafted bone fracture have been reported in most of cases after operation. We have performed thumb reconstructions within 2 weeks after injury in 11 cases which included acute crushing injuries or failed replantation of thumb at Guro Hospital from September, 1983 to October, 1993. The results obtained from this study are as follows: 1. There were 8 males and 3 females and the mean age was 28.8 years old ranged from 3 years old to 50 years old. 2. The most common injury mechanism was machinary injury in 10 of 11 cases. 3. We have performed thumb reconstructions by using wrap-around free flap from the great toe without bone graft in 6 cases and with bone graft in 5 cases within 2 weeks after injury. 4. During 6 years and 1 month mean follow-up period, there were bone resorptions in 3, grafted bone fracture in 1, infections in 2 and soft tissue necrosis in 3 cases. 5. We obtained satisfactable results in respect of function and cosmesis and urged to use this flap for reconstruction in acute thumb injury.