The 2003 Annual Meeting of OASYS_NEW

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Microsurgical Indication for Aesthetic and Functional Nail Reconstruction

Hirase Y1, Kojima T1, Fukumoto K1, and Yamaguchi T2. (1) Plastic Surgery, Saitama Hand Surgery Institute, Saitama Seikeikai Hospital, 1721 Ishibashi, Higashimatsuyama, Saitama, Japan, (2) Orthpaedic Surgery, Tokyo Hand Surgery and Sports Medicine Institute, 360 Takatsukicho, Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan

The hand is always naked and is an essential organ in human daily life. If a part of the finger is lacking, it creates a large functional disadvantage. In such cases, an adequate method should be selected in consideration of the condition of the remaining finger. In order to select an appropriate reconstructive method, we have used the classification of amputation level to determine the operative method. Type A: The nail matrix is not injured and more than 2/3 of the distal phalangeal bone remains. Type B-1: The nail matrix is not damaged but more than 1/2 of the distal phalangeal bone remains. Type B-2: The nail matrix is not damaged but less than 1/2 of the distal phalangeal bone remains. Type C: The nail matrix is lost or severely damaged, but PIP joint function remains. Type D: PIP joint function is lost. Surgical procedures are selected based on the amputation classification. Type A: The combined method of finger island arterial flap and split-thickness nail bed graft from the toe. Type B-1: Procedure for Type A and bone graft to the fingertip. Type B-2: Vascularized nail bed graft from the great toe. Type C: Vascularized nail graft, combined with finger arterial island flap. Type D: Whole toe transfer. For aesthetic reconstruction of both of the donor site and the recipient site, minimum harvesting from the toe should be performed by considering combination with a finger flap at the recipient site. Thus, microsurgical transfer is indicated in cases of amputation proximal to Type B-2.