A new free thenar flap.

While previous pedicled procedures yielded good results in a small traumatic volar defect of the fingers, a large volar defect presents a difficult reconstructive challenge. We devised a new free thenar flap utilizing the superficial palmar branch of the radial artery which we used to treat two patients with volar defects of the index finger. This free flap provides an excellent alternative in coverage of a large long volar defect of the fingers with little sacrifice of the donor site.