• International Journal of Control, Automation, and Systems
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.228-237
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• 2004

This paper provides a motion analysis of soft-fingertip object manipulation tasks by presenting a dynamic model of multi-fingered object manipulations with soft fingertips. It is fundamentally observed that soft fingertips employed in a multi-fingered hand generate some deformation effects during the manipulation process and also that those effects are closely related to the behavior of the manipulated object. In order to analyze the motion of using soft fingertips, a dynamic manipulation control scheme is presented. Simulation and experimental results demonstrate the motion of soft-fingertips applied in object manipulating tasks and are further used to discuss the characteristics of soft-fingertip motions.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.485-490
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• 2005

Fingertip is the end of tactile organ and the part of hand most frequently injured. Fingertip injuries should be evaluated on an individual basis considering patient's overall physical condition, medical history, etiology, time of injury, and anticipated future hand use, and accordingly one of various methods of reconstruction should be selected. Complications after the reconstruction of fingertip injuries have been reported as pain, hypersensitivity, numbness, distal paresthesia, cold intolerance, and atrophy. From January to December 2002, dermofat grafts were performed on 15 patients to correct painful fingertips after injury. The thickness of the soft tissue of fingertip was measured both preoperatively and postoperatively with simple X-ray. To evaluate the improvement of pain, visual analogue scale(VAS) was used through the direct interview with patients. The average of postoperative follow-up period was 10.9 months. The average of increased soft tissue thickness ratio was 88.4%(2.3mm to 3.8mm). The average of preoperative VAS was 7.6, and postoperative VAS was 3. Dermofat graft on fingertip needs a further long-term follow-up study for the absorption ratio of dermofat, however, this procedure is simple and could be done under local anesthesia, and would be a useful alternative procedure to correct painful fingertips with the soft tissue atrophy after injury.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.132-138
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• 2011

Although finger tip replantation is popularized nowadays, it is not easy operations even for experienced surgeons. The indication for replantation to treat fingetip amputation is still controversial, but I think replantation for function and cosmetic absolute indication. This paper will discuss about methods of fingertip replantation and unexpected complications on soft tissue after operation.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.67-70
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• 2010

Purpose: Nerve sheath myxoma is a rare cutaneous neoplasm originating from the peripheral nerve sheath and divided into three groups : myxoid, cellular and mixed type. There is a controversy on it's origin whether schwannian cell or perineurial differentiation, or anything else. Myxoid nerve sheath myxoma is asymptomatic, soft, papule or nodule in middle-age adults. We report a case of myxoid nerve sheath myxoma on the fingertip. Methods: A 53-year-old woman presented with a painful, $0.4{\times}0.4{\times}0.6\;cm $sized, corn shaped nodule on the left 3rd fingertip. We put into surgical excision and studied it by histopathologically and specific immnohistochemical stain. Results: The tumor has well defined nodules separated by thin fibrous connective tissue with abundant myxoid stroma and were positively stainded for S-100 protein, NSE and GFAP. After surgical treatment it was healed without recurrence. Conclusion: Nerve sheath myxoma is rare neoplasm and located mainly on face, but very rarely on the fingertip. We report a case of painful myxoid nerve sheath myxoma located on the 3rd fingertip.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.674-677
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• 2009

Purpose: Typical cross finger flap is still a good method for reconstruction of fingertip injuries. However, it is necessarily followed by great loss and aesthetically unpreferable result of donor finger. Hereby, we introduce a modification of cross finger flap with reduction pulp plasty and full thickness skin graft, with which we could reduce the defect size of injured fingertip and donor site morbidity at the same time, without any need for harvesting additional skin from other part of hand. Method: This method was performed in the patients with fingertip injuries of complete amputation or in case of loss of fingertip due to necrosis after replantation. Firstly, reduction pulp plasty was performed on the injured finger to reduce the size of defect of fingertip. Additional skin flap was obtained from the pulp plasty. Secondly, cross finger flap was elevated from the adjacent finger to cover the defect on the injured finger. At the same time, defect on the donor finger produced by the flap elevation was covered by full thickness skin graft with the skin obtained from the pulp plasty of injured finger. Results: Flap and graft survived without any necrosis after surgical delay and flap detachment. All of them were healed well and did not present any severe adversary symptoms. Conclusion: Cross finger flap with reduction pulp plasty and full thickness skin graft is an effective method that we can easily apply in reconstruction of fingertip injury. We think that it is more helpful than the usual manner, especially in cases of children with less soft tissue on their fingers for preservation and reduction of the morbidity of donor finger.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.311-317
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• 2009

Purpose: Traditionally, external bleeding is needed when only an arteriorrhaphy can be performed in cased where a venorrhaphy cannot be done at the initial reconstruction for a zone1 complete amputation. However, this salvage procedure has several iatrogenic complications. Therefore, we did not perform an external bleeding procedure, in cases where external bleeding was not appropriate due to the small size of the stump. Methods: From September 2006 to August 2007, 19 fingertip amputations, among 18 patients, were performed using only arteriorrhaphy without external bleeding; In total 95 fingertip amputations, with venorrhaphy or external bleeding procedures were excluded. The results were reviewed retrospectively to compare survival and complication rates. Results: The survival rate of only arteriorrhaphy without external bleeding is 84.2%. Additional operations for soft tissue problems of total or partial necrosis were performed in 5 cases. Conclusions: We found no difference in the survival and complication rates of only arteriorrhaphy without external bleeding compared to results of only arteriorrhaphy with external bleeding in other articles. Therefore, our results suggest that in some cases with a fingertip amputation, performing arteriorrhaphy only, without external bleeding, might be a better option than external bleeding due to reduced iatrogenic injuries and complications.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.27-30
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• 2009

Purpose: Recently, replantation of fingertip amputation, Zone I by Yamano classification, is still difficult because digital arteries branch into small arteries and also digital veins are hard to separate from the immobile soft tissue. However the replantation of fingertip in adults is a well-established procedure, but the replantation in infant or child is still uncommon. Therefore we present one case of replantation of the fingertip of the small finger in 12-months-old patient. Methods: We experienced a 12-months-old male amputation of small finger. It had been amputated completely at the level of Zone I by Yamano classification. Replantation was performed using the arteryonly technique with neither vein nor nerve repair. Because the artery has been damaged, it is still possible to make a direct suture by transposing the arterial arch in an inverted Y to I arterial configuration. Venous drainage was provided by an external bleeding method with partial nail excision and repaired margin for approximately 7 days. Results: We were performed replantation in infant with only-arterial anastomosis successfully, result in good recovery of aesthetic and functional outcome. Conclusion: In conclusion, although fingertip injury was difficult to replantation in infant and child, we must try it. Because of its functional and cosmetic advantage.

• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers
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• v.40 no.8
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• pp.825-835
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• 1991

This paper deals with a case for robotic hands to grasp the objects using inner link contact as well as fingertip contact. And the case is proved to be more efficient than the case of using only fingertip contact in terms of stability and uniform distribution of the contact forces. The general algorithm for the determination of the optimal ocntact force is developed for the soft finger contact as well as the point contact with friction. To show the validity of the proposed algorithm a numerical example is illustated by employing a robotic hand with three fingers each of which has four joints.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.23-26
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• 2000

From Jan. 1998, 28 young children patients with complete amputations at zone I or II were replanted using a microscopic technique. Children's average age was 4.5 years and the amputation levels were zone I in 12 cases and zone II in 16 cases. Overall survival rate was 57%(16 cases). In children, the advantages of the replantation for distal digital amputations are nearly normal length, good soft tissue coverage with nail and cosmetically high patient satisfaction but surgical technical difficulties are much greater than in adults.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.75-81
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• 2007

Introduction: Microsurgical replantation of amputated digit have become common procedure in recent years. However replantation of fingertip amputation, Zone I by Yamano classification, is still difficult because digital arteries branch into small arteries and also digital veins are hard to separate from the immobile soft tissue. So, fingertip amputation was covered by volar V-Y flap, composite graft, cross finger flap and groin flap. But patients who have been treated by these methods experience shortening of digit, nail deformity, excessive tenderness and persistent pain. Replantation could solve most of these problems. Material & Methods: In our department, from March 2004 to August 2007, 36 digits in 32 patients with complete amputation at distal to nail base were replanted using a microsurgical technique. Results: The overall survival rate of the replanted finger was 75%. Venous anastomosis was possible in 8 cases and impossible in 28 cases. In latter cases external bleeding technique was applied with medical leech. Conclusion: After replantation, a few patient complained decreased sensibility, nail deformity and cold intolerance. But most of patients were satisfied with the functional and cosmetic appearance of the viable replanted digits. We believe the replantation should be the first choice in fingertip amputation.