Min Zhao1, Jinying Wu2, Zuoxiong Yuan2, Dehu Tian3, Xinzhong Shao4, Dacun Li1, Jianfeng Li1, Jingda Liu1, Liang Zhao1, Hailei Li1, Xiaolei Wang1. 1. Department of Upper Limb Surgery, Beijing Shunyi Hospital, Beijing, 101300, P.R.China. 2. Department of Anatomy, Capital Medical University Yanjing Medical College, Beijing, 101300, P.R.China. 3. Department of Hand Surgery, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang Hebei, 050051, P.R.China. 4. Department of Hand Surgery, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang Hebei, 050051, P.R.China.myhand699@126.com.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of radial-lateral forearm free perforator flap on repairing of soft tissue defects in the finger. METHODS: Between January 2017 and May 2018, 26 cases of finger skin defects were treated with radial-lateral forearm free perforator flap based on the radial branch of the posterior interosseus artery. There were 21 males and 5 females, with an average age of 26.6 years (range, 19-56 years). The cause of injury included the cutting injury in 16 cases and crush injury in 10 cases. The interval between injury and admission was 30 minutes to 4 hours (mean, 1.5 hours). The injury located at thumb in 6 cases, index finger in 8 cases, middle finger in 6 cases, ring finger in 3 cases, and little finger in 3 cases; and at the dorsum of finger in 6 cases, the lateral side in 6 cases, and the palm in 14 cases. All wounds were accompanied with the tendon and bone exposures, and phalangeal fractures occurred in 10 cases. The size of the defects ranged from 2.0 cm×1.0 cm to 4.0 cm×2.5 cm. And the size of the flap ranged from 2.5 cm×1.5 cm to 4.5 cm×3.0 cm. All wounds at donor sites were sutured directly. RESULTS: All the 26 cases were followed up 4-12 months (mean, 7 months). The 24 flaps survived uneventfully after operation, and the wounds healed by first intention. Partial necrosis occurred at the distal part in 2 flaps, and secondary healing achieved after debridement and dressing. All incisions at donor sites healed by first intention. The appearance and texture of all flaps were satisfactory. The two-point discrimination of the flaps was 5-10 mm (mean, 8 mm) at 4 months after operation. Sensory of the flaps was grade S 3. Only linear scar was noted at the donor site. CONCLUSION: The radial-lateral forearm free perforator flap in repairing of the soft tissues in finger can shorten the disease duration, reduce the damage of the donor site, and improve the patients' quality of life.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of radial-lateral forearm free perforator flap on repairing of soft tissue defects in the finger. METHODS: Between January 2017 and May 2018, 26 cases of finger skin defects were treated with radial-lateral forearm free perforator flap based on the radial branch of the posterior interosseus artery. There were 21 males and 5 females, with an average age of 26.6 years (range, 19-56 years). The cause of injury included the cutting injury in 16 cases and crush injury in 10 cases. The interval between injury and admission was 30 minutes to 4 hours (mean, 1.5 hours). The injury located at thumb in 6 cases, index finger in 8 cases, middle finger in 6 cases, ring finger in 3 cases, and little finger in 3 cases; and at the dorsum of finger in 6 cases, the lateral side in 6 cases, and the palm in 14 cases. All wounds were accompanied with the tendon and bone exposures, and phalangeal fractures occurred in 10 cases. The size of the defects ranged from 2.0 cm×1.0 cm to 4.0 cm×2.5 cm. And the size of the flap ranged from 2.5 cm×1.5 cm to 4.5 cm×3.0 cm. All wounds at donor sites were sutured directly. RESULTS: All the 26 cases were followed up 4-12 months (mean, 7 months). The 24 flaps survived uneventfully after operation, and the wounds healed by first intention. Partial necrosis occurred at the distal part in 2 flaps, and secondary healing achieved after debridement and dressing. All incisions at donor sites healed by first intention. The appearance and texture of all flaps were satisfactory. The two-point discrimination of the flaps was 5-10 mm (mean, 8 mm) at 4 months after operation. Sensory of the flaps was grade S 3. Only linear scar was noted at the donor site. CONCLUSION: The radial-lateral forearm free perforator flap in repairing of the soft tissues in finger can shorten the disease duration, reduce the damage of the donor site, and improve the patients' quality of life.