Free flap cover of acute hand injuries.

Eighteen free flap reconstructions of acute hand trauma were compared with 12 groin flap repairs as historical controls. The free flap group had a similar success rate, with fewer operations (though the same total operating time) and shorter hospital stay than the groin flap group. Complications were the same in both groups, but less secondary procedures were necessary in the free flap group. If flap cover is necessary, free flaps are a better way of obtaining skin cover in acute hand trauma.