Rev Bras Cir Plást. 2012;27(1):115-8 115 Pulp exchange: a simple solution for a complex problemPulp exchange: a simple solution for a complex problem Troca pulpar: uma solução simples para um problema complexo ABSTRACT Background: The fingertip is essential to the quality of the bi-digital pinch. Trauma to the fingertip is common and is difficult to resolve. In pulp exchange, a homodigital neurovascular island flap reconstructs the dominant pulp using pulp from the nondominant pulp, providing good skin coverage and sensitivity. Methods: From January 2000 to December 2008, 16 patients lost their dominant digital pulp. The surgical technique used for repair consisted of a homodigital neurovascular island flap, vascularized by the palmar digital artery of the nondominant pulp transposed to the dominant side. Flap viability, its sensitivity, and deficits in proximal and distal interphalangeal articulations were analyzed. Results: In the two-point discrimination test, an average of 8 mm was measured for all digits except the ring finger. In the Semmes-Weinstein monofilament test, D1 and D3 scored 3.61, while the other fingers scored 4.31. The same contralateral digits scored 2.83, except D5, which scored 3.61. Conclusions: The technique of pulp exchange presented satisfactory functional results with regard to viability, sensitivity, and digital mobility, particularly with respect to the pinch. This local neurovascular flap also provides acceptable aesthetic results and is performed as a single surgical procedure.

Use of skin flaps for nasal reconstruction after neoplastic resection Use of skin flaps for nasal reconstruction after neoplastic resection Uso de retalho cutâneo para reconstrução nasal após ressecção neoplásica ABSTRACT Background: Nasal reconstruction is always a challenge for the plastic surgeon. Loss of nasal mass is mainly caused by resection of skin cancers. Among the several available alternatives for covering the skin, skin flaps are the first cosmetic and functional choice. This study has 2 objectives: (1) to report the experiences of the Plastic Surgery Service of São Lucas Hospital of the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil) in the reconstruction of nasal mass losses that resulted from tumor resection and (2) to describe the most commonly used skin flaps used for defect repair according to the anatomic subunit. Methods: This study analyzed 103 nasal skin flaps used in the reconstruction of 102 nasal mass losses that resulted from tumor resection in 96 patients who underwent surgery between December 2008 and December 2011. Mass losses were mapped according to the anatomic subunits described by Burget and Menick. Moreover, the number of times each strategy was chosen for the reconstruction of the different subunits was recorded. Results: Most of the patients were men (51%), and the average age of the analyzed group was 64.7 years. Basal cell carcinoma was the most prevalent skin cancer (85.3%), followed by squamous cell carcinoma (5.9%). The bilobed flap was commonly used for nasal alar lobule reconstruction (44%); V-Y advancement for the lateral region (72%); extended glabellar for the nasal dorsum (59.2%); bilobed for the nasal tip (46.2%); and glabellar for the nasal roof as well as in the cases mentioned above. Conclusions: Several surgical procedures are used for nasal reconstruction following tumor resection. The most suitable strategy should be chosen according to the patient in order to maintain the contours and nasal anatomy, as described by Burget and Menick.

The secondhand exposure to cigarette smoke is being considered evil, and damage caused by this passive exposure has been proven by several studies. To investigate the effects of sidestream smoke exposure on random-pattern skin flap survival, 20 female rats were separated into 2 groups: group A (n = 10) was exposed 6 weeks to the smoke from the burning cigarette (passive smoking) and group B (n = 10) was the control group. After 6 weeks of exposition, a dorsal McFarlane flap of 4 × 10 cm was performed in all rats. Two weeks after this procedure, the ratio of necrotic and total areas was calculated using computer programs. The median area of necrosis in group A was 29.5%, significantly higher than that in group B with 17.5% (P < 0.024). In conclusion, this study suggests increased risk of random-pattern skin flap necrosis after sidestream exposure to cigarette smoke.

The fingertip has an important role in bi-digital pinch quality, and pulp loss is common and difficult to solve. The pulp switch consists of a pulp island flap with a homodigital neurovascular pedicle, vascularized by the palmar digital artery of the non-dominant pulp transposed to the dominant pulp side. We report the results in 16 patients treated for loss of the dominant half of a digital pulp from January 2000 to December 2008. On review after a minimum of 6 (range 6-18) months, the Weber's test demonstrated an average of 8 mm in static 2 point discrimination test for all digits, except the ring finger. In the monofilament Semmes-Weinstein test, we obtained a score of 3.61 for the thumb and little fingers, and 4.31 for the other fingers. We did not find partial or total necrosis of the flap. The pulp switch flap gave satisfactory functional results for viability, sensitivity, and digital mobility providing a sensate bi-digital pinch with acceptable aesthetic results in a single surgical procedure.