To compare a modified abdominal tube with traditional abdominal tube in the curative effect of repairing finger degloving injury.

Thirty patients with single finger degloving injuries admitted to Air Force General Hospital, PLA from January 2011 to December 2013 were divided into the experimental group and the control group according to the random number table, each contained 15 cases. Patients in experimental group received operation of modified abdominal tube, whereas patients in control group received operation of traditional abdominal tube. The postoperative swelling in the skin flap, appearance, infection, blood supply, sensory function recovery were compared between two groups. SPSS 18.0 was used for statistical analysis. The comparison for measurement data was performed by t test.

The flap in two groups both survived well. One edge of flap in control group appeared black, with good recovery after dressing change. The experimental group did not appear this kind of situation. The postoperative flap in two groups both appeared some degree of swelling and purple, which was more obvious in the control group, accompanied with cyanosis. The wounds in two groups both had a small amount of effusion, through regular dressing treatment, both survived well with no infection. The capillary filling time in flap of experimental group was significantly shortened as compared to that of control group [(1.03±0.25) s, (0.91±0.21) s vs. (1.24±0.33) s, (1.18±0.39) s], at 7 and 14 days post operation, respectively, the differences were statistically significant (t=-1.995, -2.361, P=0.0495, 0.0254). The sensory function recovery in flap of experimental group was markedly improved as compared to that of control group[(2.66±0.38)s, (3.67±0.55)s vs. (1.97±0.36)s, (3.14±0.43)s], at 6 and 12 months post operation, respectively, the differences were statistically significant (t=5.105, 2.940, with P values below 0.05).

Using this modified abdominal tube to repair single finger degloving injury can significantly increase blood supply of flaps, reduce the swelling, improve the external appearance of the skin flap, and have better feeling functional recovery.