[Repair of severe flexion contracture deformity of adjacent fingers with trifoliated flap from toe web in six patients].

From May 2014 to January 2018, 6 patients with severe flexion contracture deformity caused by palmar cicatricial hyperplasia of adjacent 2 or 3 fingers were admitted to the Yidu Central Hospital of Weifang. There were 4 males (8 fingers) and 2 females (5 fingers), aged 13-51 years.The degrees of flexion of proximal interphalangeal joint of affected fingers and metacarpophalangeal joint were respectively 60-90°and 60-80°, and the total degree of passive extension of metacarpophalangeal joint, proximal interphalangeal joint, and distal interphalangeal joint was from -180 to -120°. After scar resection, tendon release, and extension of affected fingers, bone and/or tendon were exposed, and the wound area was 4.0 cm×2.0 cm-8.5 cm×4.0 cm.The wound was repaired with trifoliated flap composed of fibular flap of great toe, abdominal flap of the second toe, and plantar metatarsal flap, with flap area of 4.5 cm×2.5 cm-9.0 cm×4.5 cm.The plantar metatarsal wound of the donor site was sutured directly, and the remaining wound was repaired with full-thickness skin graft from the outside of the thigh. All the wounds of patients were healed. All flaps survived and had good blood circulation without vascular crisis after operation.During follow-up of 6 months to 2 years, the flaps were with good appearance, no swelling, similar in color to the surrounding skin, soft in texture, good in sensations of touch and pain, and the distance of discrimination of 6-8 mm. The active and passive flexion and extension of the affected fingers were good, and there was no dysfunction in the donor site of foot, only with slight scar. The article showed that trifoliated flap from toe web is one of the best methods to repair the severe contracture flexion deformity of fingers caused by severe cicatricial hyperplasia of palmar side, especially the soft-tissue defect of the skin after the cicatricial hyperplasia of adjacent 2 or 3 fingers is removed.