Satoshi Usami1, Mutsumi Okazaki2. 1. Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Graduate School of Science, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Japan. Electronic address: s-usaplas@mail.goo.ne.jp. 2. Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Graduate School of Science, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Japan.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: A posterior interosseous artery perforator flap is used for small defects and leaves no functional disturbance at the flap donor site. This report aimed to describe our experience with the transfer of this flap for fingertip defects and the evaluation of postoperative function. METHODS: In total, 11 flaps were used for 13 fingertip reconstructions in 11 patients. Two patients had two finger defects simultaneously covered with one bridge flap, and five flaps were harvested in true perforator flap style. RESULTS: Over a 10.6-month mean follow-up, static and moving two-point discrimination were 8.8 and 6.1 mm, respectively, and patients returned to work approximately 2 months after surgery. There were no complications at the donor sites. CONCLUSIONS: A posterior interosseous artery perforator flap was a useful choice for fingertip reconstruction, with good sensory recovery and no donor site morbidity, and the patients could return to daily living quickly.
BACKGROUND: A posterior interosseous artery perforator flap is used for small defects and leaves no functional disturbance at the flap donor site. This report aimed to describe our experience with the transfer of this flap for fingertip defects and the evaluation of postoperative function. METHODS: In total, 11 flaps were used for 13 fingertip reconstructions in 11 patients. Two patients had two finger defects simultaneously covered with one bridge flap, and five flaps were harvested in true perforator flap style. RESULTS: Over a 10.6-month mean follow-up, static and moving two-point discrimination were 8.8 and 6.1 mm, respectively, and patients returned to work approximately 2 months after surgery. There were no complications at the donor sites. CONCLUSIONS: A posterior interosseous artery perforator flap was a useful choice for fingertip reconstruction, with good sensory recovery and no donor site morbidity, and the patients could return to daily living quickly.