Pressure therapy upregulates matrix metalloproteinase expression and downregulates collagen expression in hypertrophic scar tissue.

Background: Pressure therapy improves hypertrophic scar healing, but the mechanisms for this process are not well understood. We sought to investigate the differential expression of matrix metalloproteinases (Mmps) and collagen in posttraumatic hypertrophic scar tissue with mechanical pressure and delineate the molecular mechanisms of pressure therapy for hypertrophic scars.

Methods: Fibroblast lines of normal skin and scar tissue were established and a mechanical pressure system was devised to simulate pressure therapy.

Aesthetic fingertip reconstruction with partial second toe transfer.

Background: Fingertip defect significantly affects the appearance of the hand. The aim of this research was to evaluate the clinical effect of aesthetic fingertip reconstruction with partial second toe transfer.

Methods: Between July 2005 and December 2008, 17 patients underwent aesthetic fingertip reconstruction with partial second toe transfer.

An anatomic and clinical study of the adductor magnus tendon-descending genicular artery bone flap.

The composite tissue flap of the descending genicular vessels with the adductor magnus tendon is a newly developed, reliable method to repair the Achilles tendon and relevant skin defects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anatomy of the adductor magnus tendon-descending genicular artery bone flap, and the feasibility and value for the repair of the Achilles tendon and relevant skin defects. There were 34 adult specimens used for the anatomy of this flap.

Functional and aesthetic results of immediate reconstruction of traumatic thumb defects by toe-to-thumb transplantation.

Traumatic thumb defects significantly affect the function and appearance of the hand; thus, thumb reconstruction is very important in clinical practice. In our report, three reconstruction strategies of toe-to-thumb transplantation, based on the amputation level of the thumb, were used for immediate thumb reconstruction in 27 patients with traumatic thumb defects. All procedures were performed successfully.

Reconstruction of soft tissue defect of the extremity with the perforator flap from inguinal region.

Background: The perforator flap has become a very useful reconstructive means of soft tissue defect of extremities. The perforator flap from the inguinal region has advantages that include the ability to cover a large area with little donor site morbidity and provision of suitable thickness for reconstruction.

Methods: From July 1, 2005 to June 30, 2007, 10 patients with various types of soft tissue defect underwent reconstruction with 10 perforator flaps from the inguinal region.

An alternative approach in the treatment of thumb web contracture skin defects: lateral tarsal artery flap.

Background: Thumb web contracture is a common complication after hand injury, and can markedly affect whole hand function. Therefore, surgery involving thumb web reconstruction is often necessary to restore normal function of the involved hand. In this study, we present the application of the lateral tarsal artery (LTA) flap in first web reconstruction.