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Eksisyon ng Mucous Cyst (na may Local Flap)

Updated Sep 2026
Illustration: Eksisyon ng Mucous Cyst (na may Local Flap)

Ang pahinang ito ay isinalin ng makina at hindi pa nasusuri ng isang doktor. Ang bersyong Ingles ang siyang opisyal.

Bakit iminungkahi ang operasyong ito

Si Dr Kieran Hirpara, isang upper-limb surgeon sa Mater Private Hospital Rockhampton, ay nagsisimula sa mga opsyon na hindi gaanong invasive na angkop sa iyong kondisyon. Ang mga pasyente ay karaniwang nirerefer sa aming klinika ng kanilang GP; kung iminungkahi ng isang physiotherapist na magpatingin sa amin, kakailanganin mo pa rin ng referral mula sa iyong GP upang maging eligible para sa Medicare rebate. Ang isang clinic assessment, kabilang ang iyong history, isang pagsusuri at imaging kung kinakailangan, ang nagtatakda ng diagnosis.

Ang isang mucous cyst ay isang maliit at puno ng likidong bukol na nabubuo malapit sa dulo ng joint ng daliri, karaniwan sa balat na naapektuhan ng wear-and-tear arthritis sa joint na iyon. Tinatanggal ng operasyong ito ang cyst at tinatakpan ang area ng isang maliit na flap ng kalapit na balat. Karaniwan naming sinusubukan muna ang non-operative care, gaya ng pagbabago sa aktibidad, hand therapy o splinting, at isinasaalang-alang ang surgery kapag hindi ito nagbigay ng sapat na pagbuti. Para sa ilang tao, maaaring irekomenda agad ang surgery.

Layunin ng operasyon na permanenteng tanggalin ang cyst. Ang recurrence pagkatapos ng ganitong uri ng surgery ay mababa, sa 1.4%, at karamihan sa mga tao ay masaya sa hitsura ng scar at pipiliin muli ang operasyon. Pag-uusapan namin kung ito ay angkop sa iyo at magdedesisyon tayo nang magkasama.

Bago ang operasyon

Plalanong ng iyong surgeon ang operasyon gamit ang imaging tulad ng X-ray, MRI o ultrasound. Karamihan sa mga tao ay hindi nangangailangan ng iba pang mga pagsusuri. Kung mayroon kang iba pang mga kondisyong medikal, maaaring kailanganin mo ng mga blood test o pagsusuri kasama ang anaesthetist. Itigil ang pagkain at pag-inom pitong oras bago ang operasyon; humihingi kami ng mas mahabang oras kaysa sa karaniwan upang maaaring ilipat nang mas maaga ang iyong oras kung maagang matapos ang listahan sa theatre. Sasabihin sa iyo ng iyong surgeon kung aling mga gamot ang dapat itigil at kailan. Magdala ng listahan ng lahat ng iyong iniinom, mag-ayos ng sasakyan pauwi, at magsuot ng komportableng damit na may maluwag na manggas.

Sa araw ng operasyon

Darating ka sa surgical admissions unit ng ospital, kung saan ka ire-rehistro at ihahanda para sa theatre. Makikilala mo doon ang anaesthetist. Ang operasyong ito ay maaaring gawin sa ilalim ng general anaesthetic (tulog ka nang lubusan) o sa ilalim ng local anaesthetic (isang iniksyon na nagpapamanhid lamang sa daliri, habang gising ka). Pag-uusapan natin kung alin ang angkop sa iyo bago ang operasyon.

Pagkatapos ay dadalhin ka sa operating theatre, kung saan isasagawa ang operasyon. Pagkatapos nito, pupunta ka sa recovery area, kung saan babantayan ka ng mga nurse (kung nagkaroon ka ng general anaesthetic, habang nawawala ang bisa nito). Kapag stable ka na, maaaring pumunta ka sa ward o uuwi na, depende sa procedure at sa iyong paggaling.

Ano ang kinapapalooban ng operasyon

Ang iyong surgeon ay gagawa ng maliit na hiwa sa ibabaw ng bukol, malapit sa dulo ng joint ng daliri. Sa pamamagitan ng hiwang ito, tatanggalin nila ang cyst at lilinisin ang maliit na bony spur na madalas na nasa tabi nito. Ang spur na iyon ay nagmumula sa wear-and-tear arthritis sa joint at isang karaniwang dahilan kung bakit pabalik-balik ang mga cyst na ito, kaya ang pagtanggal nito ay isang mahalagang bahagi ng operasyon.

Kapag wala na ang cyst at ang bone spur, tatakpan ng iyong surgeon ang bahaging iyon ng isang maliit na flap ng kalapit na balat. Ang flap ay itataas, ililipat sa puwang na iniwan ng cyst, at tatahi sa kinalalagyan nito. Naglalagay ito ng bagong balat sa ibabaw ng joint at tumutulong upang gumaling ang bahaging iyon nang isang beses lang. Ang mga tahi ay maaaring natutunaw (dissolving) o natatanggal (removable), at ipapaalam sa iyo ng iyong surgeon kung aling uri ang ginamit.

Ang buong operasyon ay isinasagawa sa pamamagitan ng isang maliit na bahaging ito sa dulo ng daliri. Walang gagawin sa mas malalalim na joint o tendon maliban na lamang kung kinakailangan base sa mga makikita habang nag-o-operasyon.

Pagkatapos ng operasyon

Pupunta ka sa recovery area, kung saan babantayan ka ng mga nurse (kung nagkaroon ka ng general anaesthetic, habang nawawala ang bisa nito). Ang iyong daliri ay magkakaroon ng dressing at maaaring manatiling manhid sa loob ng ilang oras. May nakaplano nang pain relief para sa iyo bago mawala ang pamamanhid; sabihan ang mga nurse kung ikaw ay hindi komportable, dahil maaari nila itong i-adjust. Maaari ka nang gumalaw sa oras na maramdaman mong stable ka na, at hindi kailangang panatilihing hindi gumagalaw ang iyong kamay. Dapat may kasama ka sa unang 24 oras. Sasabihin sa iyo ng iyong team kung uuwi ka sa araw ring iyon o mananatili ng isang gabi sa ospital. Pananatilihin namin ang dressing sa loob ng humigit-kumulang 10 araw; pakiusap na huwag itong tanggalin bago ang panahong iyon maliban kung sinabi namin sa iyo. Papalitan o tatanggalin namin ito kapag nakita ka namin.

Paggaling

Sa unang ilang araw, ang iyong daliri ay magiging masakit at medyo mamamaga. Unti-unti itong huhupa. Ang pagpapanatiling nakataas ng iyong kamay sa isang unan, lalo na sa gabi, ay nakababawas sa pintig ng sakit. Ang simpleng gamot sa sakit ayon sa direktiba ng iyong team ay karaniwang sapat na.

Uuwi ka na mayroong benda, at mananatili ito sa loob ng humigit-kumulang 10 araw hanggang sa makita ka namin at palitan ito. Hindi kailangang panatilihing hindi gumagalaw ang iyong kamay, kaya maaari mo itong gamitin para sa mga magagaan na gawain sa bahay sa oras na maramdaman mong stable ka na. Iwasan ang mabibigat na paghawak (gripping), at panatilihing tuyo ang benda.

Kapag tinanggal na ang benda, ang flap ng balat sa ibabaw ng joint ay karaniwang gumagaling nang maayos. Ang peklat ay lumalambot at kumukupas sa paglipas ng panahon, at iniuulat ng mga nailathalang serye na maayos na nag-aayos ang hitsura nito. Ang paggalaw sa dulo ng joint ng daliri ay babalik habang humuhupa ang pamamaga. Ang hand therapy pagkatapos ng operasyon ay kasama si Ruby Doolan sa Extend Rehabilitation; gagabayan niya ang iyong mga ehersisyo at gagawa ng splint kung kakailanganin mo nito.

Ang paggaling ay nag-iiba sa bawat tao, at ang iyong timeline ay maaaring magkaiba. Gagabayan ka ng iyong surgeon at ng iyong hand therapist sa bawat review, at malalaman mong nasa tamang landas ang lahat habang bumababa ang pamamaga, nagsasara ang sugat, at kaya mo nang humawak at itiklop ang daliri nang walang sakit.

Ano ang maaaring maging problema

Karamihan sa mga pasyente ay gumagaling nang maayos, ngunit paminsan-minsan ay maaaring magkaroon ng mga problema. Binabantayan kayo nang maigi ng inyong surgeon at ng team upang maagapan ang anumang isyu.

Minsan, bumabalik ang cyst sa parehong lugar. Mapapansin ninyong muli ang isang maliit at matigas na bukol malapit sa dulo ng joint ng daliri, katulad ng mayroon kayo noon. Kung may mapansin kayong nabubuo, banggitin ito sa inyong susunod na review. Ang pagtanggal sa maliit na bony spur sa tabi ng joint ay ginagawa upang mapigilan ang pagyayaring ito.

Kailangang gumaling nang maayos ang flap ng balat na ginamit upang takpan ang area. Kung hindi, maaaring mapansin ninyong naghihiwalay ang mga gilid ng sugat, namumutla o nangingitim ang flap, o nananatiling hilaw at nagtutubig ang area sa halip na magsara. Maaari ring maging mas mabagal ang paggaling kaysa sa inaasahan. Kung mapansin ninyo ang alinman sa mga palatandaang ito, makipag-ugnayan sa clinic upang masuri namin ang sugat at mai-adjust ang inyong pangangalaga.

Ang impeksyon sa sugat ay isa pang dapat bantayan. Karaniwan itong nagmumukhang pamumula na kumakalat mula sa sugat, na may kasamang init, pamamaga, o pananakit na lumalala sa halip na bumubuti. Maaaring may makita kayong likido o nana na lumalabas sa sugat, o makaramdam ng malalim at tumitibok na sakit na hindi nawawala sa mga simpleng painkiller. Maaari rin kayong makaramdam ng lagnat at pangkalahatang panghihina. Kung mapansin ninyo ang mga palatandaang ito, tumawag agad sa clinic. Kung hindi ninyo kami maabot at masama ang inyong pakiramdam, pumunta sa pinakamalapit na emergency department.

Ang mabuting balita ay kapag ang operasyong ito ay ginawa gamit ang skin flap, ang mga problema sa sugat na tulad nito ay hindi karaniwan sa mga kamay na naiulat, at bihirang bumalik ang cyst [2, 3].

Kung may mapansin kayo sa inyong daliri na nakakabahala sa inyo sa pagitan ng mga review, huwag nang maghintay. Tumawag sa amin at ilarawan ang inyong nakikita at nararamdaman. Ang maagang atensyon ay nagpapadali sa pag-aayos ng karamihan sa mga problema.

Ang complications table sa pahinang ito ay naglilista ng mga tipikal na rate kung nais ninyo ang mga detalye.

Kailan dapat tumawag sa amin

Tumawag sa amin kung nakararamdam kayo ng lagnat, napapansin na kumakalat ang pamumula sa paligid ng sugat, o may nakikitang likido o nana na lumalabas dito. Tumawag sa amin kung biglang lumala ang sakit at hindi ito tinatablan ng mga simpleng painkiller, kung namamanhid ang inyong daliri, o kung hindi niyo ito maibaluktot o maituwid. Pumunta sa pinakamalapit na emergency department kung may pamamaga ng binti (calf swelling) o hirap sa paghinga, o kung nakararamdam kayo ng init at pangkalahatang panghihina at hindi niyo kami ma-contact. Kung may anuman tungkol sa daliri na nakababahala sa inyo sa pagitan ng mga review, huwag nang maghintay.

Mas malalim na pagtalakay

Advanced reading: the deeper science (optional)

Ang seksyong ito ay higit pa sa kailangan mo para sa iyong sariling mga desisyon sa paggamot. Ang operasyon sa mucous cyst ay sulit basahin nang mas malalim dahil ang operasyon ay hindi talaga tungkol sa cyst, at kapag nakita mo na kung bakit, magiging malinaw ang lahat tungkol sa kung paano ito isinasagawa.

Ang cyst ay isang sintomas. Ang osteophyte ang sakit.

Ang mucous cyst ay isang maliit na ganglion ng kasukasuan na pinakamalapit sa kuko, at halos palagi itong nakapatong sa wear-and-tear arthritis sa kasukasuang iyon. Ang gasgas na kasukasuan ay nagpapalaki ng maliliit na spurs ng sobrang buto (osteophytes), nakakahanap ng labasan ang joint fluid lampas sa mga ito, at ang cyst ay kung saan ito naiipon sa ilalim ng manipis na dorsal skin.

Iyan ang dahilan kung bakit ang simpleng pagtanggal ng cyst ay may mahinang record: iwanan ang mga osteophyte at ang leak ay mapupuno muli. Ang pinakamalinaw na demonstrasyon ay nagmula sa isang serye na ginawa ang kabaligtaran, tinanggal lamang ang mga osteophyte at hinayaan ang cyst, na may kumpletong resolusyon sa karamihan ng mga kaso [1]. Ang operasyon ay pinakamainam na unawain bilang joint debridement kung saan ang cyst ay tinutugunan habang ginagawa ito, hindi pagtanggal ng cyst kung saan ang buto ay isang afterthought lamang.

Bakit kailangan ng flap, at bakit hindi gaanong mahalaga kung alin dito

Ang balat sa ibabaw ng isang matagal nang cyst ay madalas na nababanat hanggang sa maging kasingnipis ng papel, at kapag na-excise na ang cyst at ang numipis na balat, maaaring kulang ang malusog na balat upang maisara ito nang direkta. Iyan ang tungkulin ng local flap: isang maliit na bahagi ng katabing balat ang ini-rotate patawid sa defect, dala ang sarili nitong blood supply.

Ang teknik na madalas gamitin ni Dr Hirpara ay sumusunod sa approach na inilarawan nina Johnson at mga kasamahan [2]: isang day-case operation sa ilalim ng local anaesthetic ring block, isang elliptical excision ng buong cyst, kasama ang numipis na balat, kung saan ang leeg ng cyst ay sinusundan pababa hanggang sa joint at nire-resect kasama ang nakakabit na capsule, ang mga accessible dorsal osteophytes ay ine-excise habang pinoprotektahan ang extensor tendon, at ang defect ay isinasara gamit ang isang full-thickness local advancement flap na kinuha mula sa parehong panig ng daliri, nang walang tension. Ang mga tahi ay tinatanggal pagkalipas ng humigit-kumulang dalawang linggo.

Sa nailathalang serye ng teknik na iyon, 69 na pasyente sa loob ng sampung taon, ang recurrence rate ay 1.4%, na may mataas na kasiyahan ng pasyente sa peklat at nakasaad na pagkukusa na sumailalim muli sa operasyon [2].

Ang disenyo ng flap ay hindi ang deciding factor. Ang Zitelli bilobed flap ay nagbibigay ng good-quality coverage nang walang dagdag na panganib sa nail matrix [3], na mahalaga, dahil ang growth zone ng kuko ay matatagpuan agad paglampas ng cyst, at isang kamakailang paghahambing ng dalawa pang disenyo ng flap ang nakatuklas ng walang pagkakaiba sa aesthetic satisfaction o mga komplikasyon sa pagitan nila [4]. Ang ibang mga sentro ay nag-uulat ng full-thickness skin grafting na may acceptable recurrence [5], at total excision ng dorsal joint capsule na walang mga recurrence sa isang maliit na serye [6]. Ang karaniwang punto ay pareho kahit saan: tugunan ang joint, at kumuha ng matibay na skin cover.

Kapag ang mismong kasukasuan ang problema

Minsan ang cyst ang mas maliit na isyu at ang arthritis sa ilalim nito ang tunay na nagdudulot ng sakit. Kung ang kasukasuan ay masakit sa sarili nito, at hindi lamang may bukol, ang pagtanggal sa cyst ay paggamot lamang sa mensahero at iniiwan ang mensahe. Sa sitwasyong iyon, ang tiyak na solusyon ay maaaring ang pag-fuse ng kasukasuan (isang arthrodesis), na nag-aalis sa arthritis, sa sakit, at sa pinagmumulan ng cyst sa isang operasyon. Ang opsyon na iyon, ang mga trade-off nito, at ang recovery nito ay tinalakay sa pahinang DIP joint fusion.

Ano ang maaaring maging problema

Ang mga partikular na panganib ay nagmumula sa anatomy: ang nail matrix ay ilang milimetro lamang ang layo, kaya posibleng magkaroon ng uka o ridge sa kuko (at, sa kabilang banda, ang isang cyst na pumipigil sa matrix ay maaaring nagdulot na nito na maaaring mapabuti ng operasyon); ang manipis na balat ay nangangahulugang ang paggaling ay paminsan-minsang nangangailangan ng mas mahabang panahon; at ang pagbalik nito — bagaman hindi karaniwan pagkatapos ng wastong joint debridement, gaya ng ipinapakita ng mga pigura sa itaas, ay hindi kailanman zero, dahil ang arthritis na nagdulot ng cyst ay nananatiling isang arthritic joint.

Mga Sanggunian

[1] Lee HJ, Kim PT, Jeon IH, et al. Osteophyte excision without cyst excision for a mucous cyst of the finger. J Hand Surg Eur Vol. 2013;39(3):258-261. https://doi.org/10.1177/1753193413478549

[2] Johnson SM, Treon K, Thomas S, Cox QG. A reliable surgical treatment for digital mucous cysts. J Hand Surg Eur Vol. 2013;39(8):856-860. https://doi.org/10.1177/1753193413508540

[3] Jiménez I, Delgado PJ, Kaempf de Oliveira R. The Zitelli bilobed flap on skin coverage after mucous cyst excision: a retrospective cohort of 33 cases. J Hand Surg Am. 2017;42(7):506-510. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhsa.2017.03.013

[4] Orieux A, Maximen J, Yvonnet T, et al. Aesthetic outcome of biquadrangular and Hueston dorsal flaps in digital mucous cyst surgery. J Hand Surg Eur Vol. 2026;. https://doi.org/10.1177/17531934261433822

[5] Jamnadas-Khoda B, Agarwal R, Harper R, Page RE. Use of Wolfe graft for the treatment of mucous cysts. J Hand Surg Eur Vol. 2009;34(4):519-521. https://doi.org/10.1177/1753193408103498

[6] Kanaya K, Wada T, Iba K, Yamashita T. Total dorsal capsulectomy for the treatment of mucous cysts. J Hand Surg Am. 2014;39(6):1063-1067. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhsa.2014.03.004


Evidence & references

This is the clinical evidence summary written for health professionals. It is technical, and it lists the research this page was built from. You do not need to read it to understand your treatment or to make a decision about it.

Anatomy & Pathophysiology

General Hand Architecture

  • The hand is composed of 19 bones, 17 articulations, and 19 muscles situated entirely within the hand [2].
  • The hand contains approximately the same number of tendons activated by forearm muscles as it has intrinsic muscles [2].
  • The open hand with fingers extended and in contact forms a balanced graceful oval in its longitudinal axis [2].
  • The proximal carpometacarpal half of the hand is flattened and presents two faces with unique anatomical and functional significance [2].
  • The posterior or dorsal aspect of the hand is convex, while the anterior, palmar, or volar aspect is concave [2].
  • The distal half of the hand is separated into five digits which flex toward the palm [2].
  • The thumb has a more proximal and lateral position than the four fingers, allowing movement inward and outward from the palm [2].
  • The hinges for finger flexion and extension are located at the thenar crease and the transverse distal palmar crease, not at the bases of the digits [2].
  • When fingers are extended and separated, their tips lie on the circumference of a circle whose center is the head of the third metacarpal [2].

Cutaneous Units and Skin Mechanics

  • The dorsum of the hand contains a cutaneous unit extending from the wrist to the proximal interphalangeal joints of the fingers and the interphalangeal joint of the thumb [3].
  • The dorsal covering of the interphalangeal articulations forms a unique cutaneous unit characterized by considerable excess of skin when digits are in extension [3].
  • The fine tight skin of the dorsal aspect of the middle phalanx forms a distinct cutaneous unit [3].
  • The dorsal integument of the distal phalanx is distinct due to the presence of the nail bed and its matrix [3].
  • The palm forms a cutaneous unit extending from the distal transverse crease of the wrist up to the transverse crease at the base of the digits [3].
  • The palmar integument is subdivided into two zones by the oppositional crease of the thumb, which constitutes the oblique axis of the hand [3].
  • The skin of the radial portion of the palm covers the thenar eminence and is relatively well vascularized and mobile [3].
  • The skin of the ulnar and distal portion of the palm covers the hypothenar eminence and has poor mobility [3].
  • The central triangular part of the palm has fixed, poorly vascularized skin that covers almost directly the superficial palmar aponeurosis [3].
  • The integument of the palmar face of the digits is subdivided into phalangeal units separated by digital flexion folds [3].
  • When a digit is completely flexed, the integument of adjacent phalanges comes into contact in the zones of the flexion creases, establishing areas of cutaneous contact in the form of a diamond [3].
  • The sides of the diamond-shaped cutaneous contact zones do not undergo variations in length during flexion and extension movements [3].
  • Incisions made along the lines of the diamond-shaped cutaneous contact zones present a minimal chance of retraction [3].
  • The web spaces are formed from the union of two nonsymmetrical cutaneous surfaces [3].
  • The dorsal slope of the web space has a gradual incline and its supple skin is not adherent to the subjacent region [3].
  • The palmar surface of the web space is flat and precipitously interrupted, with skin densely adherent to the commissural skeleton [3].
  • The commissural skeleton is formed by the interdigital palmar (natatory) ligament between the fingers and by the distal transverse ligament at the level of the thumb web [3].

Intrinsic Musculature

  • There are seven interosseous muscles in the hand, consisting of four dorsal and three volar muscles [4].
  • The dorsal interossei are abductors [4].
  • The anatomic axis of the hand coincides with the axis of the third metacarpal [4].
  • The dorsal interossei lie to the radial side of the index and middle fingers and the ulnar side of the middle and ring fingers [4].
  • The little finger is abducted by the abductor digiti quinti [4].
  • The volar interossei are adductors [4].
  • The volar interossei lie to the ulnar side of the index finger and the radial side of the ring and little fingers [4].
  • The middle finger has two dorsal interossei and no volar interossei because the central axis of the hand lies within it [4].
  • Each dorsal interosseous muscle, with the exception of the third, has two muscle heads [4].
  • The superficial head of the dorsal interosseous muscles arises most dorsally from the shaft of the contiguous metacarpals [4].
  • The superficial head of the dorsal interosseous muscles is inserted deeply by a medial tendon onto the lateral tubercle of the base of the proximal phalanx [4].
  • The superficial head of the dorsal interosseous muscles abducts and weakly flexes the proximal phalanx [4].
  • The superficial head of the dorsal interosseous muscles has no direct effect on the middle or distal phalanges [4].
  • The deep head of each dorsal interosseous muscle forms a lateral tendon, or lateral band, at the level of the metacarpophalangeal joint [4].
  • The deep head of the dorsal interosseous muscles flexes and weakly abducts the proximal phalanx while extending the middle and distal phalanges [4].
  • At the level of the middle of the proximal phalanx, transverse fibers arch dorsally from each lateral band to join over the dorsum of the finger, flexing the proximal phalanx [4].
  • Oblique fibers, or spiral fibers, from the lateral bands sweep over the distal third of the proximal phalanx to insert onto the lateral tubercles at the base of the middle phalanx [4].
  • The oblique fibers extend the middle phalanx at the proximal interphalangeal joint [4].
  • The lateral bands are joined by the lateral slips of the extensor tendon to form the conjoined lateral band [4].
  • The two conjoined lateral bands to each finger unite at the distal third of the middle phalanx to form the terminal tendon [4].
  • The terminal tendon inserts at the base of the distal phalanx to extend it [4].
  • The flexor digiti quinti brevis is structurally and functionally similar to the deep head of the dorsal interossei, forming the ulnar lateral band of the little finger [4].
  • The three volar interossei arise from adjacent surfaces of contiguous metacarpal shafts [4].
  • Each volar interosseous muscle has only one muscle head and none of them insert onto the proximal phalanx [4].
  • The volar interossei form the ulnar lateral band of the index finger and the radial lateral band of the ring and little fingers [4].
  • The abductor digiti quinti arises from the fifth metacarpal and inserts onto the ulnar lateral tubercle at the base of the proximal phalanx of the little finger [4].
  • The flexor digiti quinti brevis arises from the fifth metacarpal and forms the ulnar lateral band [4].
  • The opponens digiti quinti lies deepest among the hypothenar muscles and arises from the pisohamate ligament and the hook of the hamate [4].
  • The opponens digiti quinti inserts onto the ulnar side of the diaphysis of the fifth metacarpal, which it flexes and supinates [4].

Vascular Anatomy

  • The arteries of the thumb vary in both size and number, making surgical reconstruction delicate [8].
  • The palmar aspect of the thumb can be schematized into three segments defined by the metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal flexion creases [8].
  • In the classical layout, the princeps pollicis artery, a terminal branch of the radial artery, crosses the first intermetacarpal space [8].
  • The princeps pollicis artery runs along the ulnar side of the first metacarpal bone and along the volar surface of the adductor muscle [8].
  • The princeps pollicis artery emerges onto the subcutaneous palmar tissue at the level of the cutaneous flexion crease of the metacarpophalangeal joint [8].
  • At the metacarpophalangeal joint level, the princeps pollicis artery divides into two terminal rami, the collateral palmar arteries of the thumb [8].
  • The collateral palmar arteries of the thumb run along the digital tunnel symmetrically and are of equal caliber [8].
  • The collateral palmar arteries head distally to finally unite in the pulp arcade [8].
  • During their transit in the digital tunnel, the collateral palmar arteries break off into numerous collateral branches that are cutaneous, articular, or osseous [8].
  • An arcade located deep in the flexor tendon joins together the two arteries at the level of the distal metaphysis of the first phalanx [8].
  • Vessels originating from the subtendinous arcade enter the vincula and irrigate the flexor tendon [8].
  • Only 15% of anatomical dissections of the thumb palmar arteries fall into the classical "typical" category [8].
  • In the first segment of the thumb (between the opposition crease and metacarpophalangeal flexion crease), arteries of surgical interest on the volar surface are rare [8].
  • In the first segment of the thumb, the artery is located deeply and is more easily accessible from the dorsal surface [8].
  • In the second segment of the thumb, the two arteries run alongside the flexor tendon and behind the collateral nerves [8].
  • In the second segment of the thumb, the main artery is the ulnar collateral artery [8].
  • In cases where the palmar ulnar collateral artery is absent in the second segment, the dorsal artery takes its place by means of a branch through the subtendinous arcade [8].
  • In the third segment of the thumb (pulp segment), the two arteries are of similar size and run through the thick fatty subcutaneous padding [8].
  • In the pulp segment, the arteries cross over and convert into the ends of the digital nerves at the level of the median axis [8].
  • The posterior area of the thumb is vascularized by two arteries which originate from the palmar arteries at the level of the first metacarpal [8].
  • These dorsal arteries run laterally along the metacarpophalangeal joint and continue obliquely from volar to dorsal [8].
  • At the level of the neck of the first phalanx, an anastomosis can be found which originates from the palmar arteries for the dorsal supply [8].
  • The ulnar dorso-collateral artery generally stems from the princeps pollicis onto the medial border of the neck of the first metacarpal [8].

Surgical Anatomy and Incisions

  • Distal palmar incisions are transverse, while proximal palm incisions tend to be more longitudinal with the distal end curving radially to parallel the closest major skin crease [9].
  • An incision of any desired length can be made across the palm provided that the underlying digital nerves and other vital structures are protected [9].
  • After skin and underlying fat are incised, the fat is dissected from the palmar fascia and carried with the skin flaps [9].
  • It may be desirable to preserve small vessels perforating the palmar fascia if wide undermining of the skin flaps is necessary [9].
  • Most vital structures in the palm are deep to the palmar fascia [9].
  • In the distal palm, structures lying between the metacarpal heads are not protected by the palmar fascia [9].
  • The superficial volar neurovascular arch should be protected when deeper exposure is required [9].
  • Incisions in the more proximal palm should parallel the thenar crease [9].
  • When extended proximal to the wrist, incisions should not cross the flexor wrist creases at a right angle [9].
  • The most important structure in the thenar area is the recurrent branch (motor) of the median nerve, which should be exposed and protected if its exact location is in doubt [9].
  • Care should be taken to avoid injury to the palmar cutaneous branches of the median and ulnar nerves [9].
  • There is no single longitudinal incision in the proximal palm that completely avoids the palmar cutaneous branches of the median and ulnar nerves [9].
  • Midlateral incisions described for the fingers are suitable for the thumb, with the radial side being more accessible [9].
  • A radial midlateral thumb incision can be extended by curving its proximal end at the midmetacarpal area to create a flap on the palmar surface of the thumb [9].
  • Care should be taken to avoid the dorsal branch of the superficial radial nerve to the radial side of the thumb during radial midlateral incisions [9].
  • The volar zigzag finger incision does not require mobilizing either neurovascular bundle and directly exposes the volar surface of the flexor tendon sheath [9].
  • On a contracted skin surface, the volar zigzag finger incision tends to straighten out and result in a more linear scar than is desirable [9].
  • The volar midoblique incision crosses the flexion creases obliquely in the midline of the finger between the neurovascular bundles [9].

Skin Coverage Dimensions

  • The necessary skin to cover the thumb distal to the metacarpophalangeal joint is about 9 cm wide and 8 cm long [6].
  • Skin loss of the thumb and first metacarpal is 13 cm wide and 12 cm long [6].
  • The skin cover of both the palmar and dorsal surfaces of the hand is 12 cm by 10 cm [6].
  • The skin covering each finger is 7 cm by 10 cm on both the palmar and dorsal aspects [6].
  • Skin grafting or flaps for both sides of the hand and digits requires a skin of 20 cm by 20 cm [6].
  • Skin grafting or flaps for one aspect of the forearm from wrist to elbow requires skin of 30 cm by 15 cm [6].
  • Skin grafting or flaps for both aspects of the forearm requires skin of 30 cm by 30 cm [6].

Investigations

  • Clinical evaluation of the injured or dysfunctional hand and wrist requires combining patient history with a careful physical examination to pinpoint or narrow the scope of possible pathologic processes [1].
  • Diagnostic tests such as imaging and serum laboratory studies are useful in determining pathology but can be expensive, time consuming, and often nonspecific [1].
  • A careful physical examination is essential to direct care and future testing if indicated [1].
  • An 8-MHz Doppler tone assessment may be used to identify superficially displaced neurovascular bundles when Dupuytren cords lie beneath soft fleshy prominences [11].
  • False-negatives are possible with 8-MHz Doppler tone assessment for identifying neurovascular bundles [11].
  • Doppler imaging is a promising improvement for visualizing palmar structures, but higher resolution imaging technology is needed [11].
  • MR assessment of Dupuytren’s disease is hindered by the resolution of current equipment, orientation issues due to multiplanar deformities of the fingers, and lack of intraoperative availability [11].
  • MRI is probably most useful in identifying additional pathology such as flexor tendon bowstringing [11].
  • MRI may be helpful in providing a quantitative noninvasive measure of cellularity of affected areas, which is an index of biologic activity [11].
  • The potential of MRI as a staging tool based on cellularity measurement has not been investigated yet on a large scale [11].

References

[1] Orthopaedic Knowledge Update 13 Ebook Without Multimedia. Anatomy, Evaluation, Clinical Examination, and Imaging > Evaluation and Clinical Examination: Current Concepts.

[2] Exam Of The Hand Wrist 2Ed. INTRODUCTION.

[3] Exam Of The Hand Wrist 2Ed. Functional cutaneous units.

[4] Green S Operative Hand Surgery. Interosseous and Hypothenar Muscles.

[6] Exam Of The Hand Wrist 2Ed. Planning skin cover of the hand and forearm.

[8] Exam Of The Hand Wrist 2Ed. Techniques of investigation of the arterial supply by J P Melki > Vascularization of the thumb > Palmar aspect.

[9] Campbell S Operative Orthopaedics 4 Volume Set. RESULTS OF SUTURE OF THE SCIATIC NERVE > PALMAR INCISIONS.

[11] Dupuytren S Disease And Related Hyperproliferative Disorders. 54. The Future of Dupuytren’s Research and Treatment > 54.4 Mechanical Measurements and Procedures > 54.4.4 Imaging.

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