[The inguinal pedicle flap in emergency traumatic hand surgery: value of the long pedicle permitting an early rehabilitation].

The main drawbacks of the use of a groin pedicle flap in emergency surgery for hand injuries are the declivitous position of the upper limb with a tendency towards oedema and the difficulty of instituting early rehabilitation because of the fact that the injured hand is fixed to the abdomen. Based on an extensive experience of 76 emergency flaps out of more than 100 flaps performed over the last ten years, the authors describe their flap raising technique which allows the formation of a long, closed tube compatible with early rehabilitation and also allowing the possible use of splints.