Cervical apron flap reconstruction: a technique for second-stage revision

A technique for second-stage revision of a cervical apron flap is described. Food particle retention and pocketing in hair-bearing recesses can be minimized by accurately trimming and contouring the flap to fit smoothly into the oral defect.     

Reversed radial forearm flap: an ad hoc flap for hand reconstruction

Complex wounds of the hand and vital structures are important to reconstruct. They should be covered as soon as possible in order to maintain the function of the hand. The reversed radial forearm flap is a versatile option for hand reconstruction. Reversed radial forearm flaps were harvested in 15 cases. Doppler ultrasound was used in all cases to evaluate the vascular status of the flap. No complications were observed in this series. All skin grafts healed well. The reversed radial forearm flap is a workhorse tool for the coverage of the hand.     

A dynamic myocutaneous flap for hand reconstruction

Relocation of functional units by neurovascular pedicle transfer is firmly established in reconstructive hand surgery. Transfer of muscle and overlying skin, the myocutaneous flap, to provide skin cover is equally established. The dynamic myocutaneous flap is an extension of these concepts. Injection studies confirmed that the abductor digiti quinti muscle and its overlying hypothenar skin could be transferred on its neurovascular bundle. This dynamic myocutaneous flap was used to reconstruct both skin cover and functional opposition following resection of an arteriovenous malformation involving the thumb. Other clinical applications would include reconstruction of thenar skin and muscle lost secondary to electrical burns, avulsion, or tumor resection.     

Osteocutaneous radial forearm flap for hand reconstruction.

We treated 5 patients (4 men and 1 woman) with bone and soft tissue defects or total thumb loss using an osteocutaneous radial forearm flap. Their ages at the time of surgery ranged from 27 to 65 years (mean, 53 years). Preoperative conditions were traumatic loss of the thumb in 3 cases and severe injuries with soft tissue and bone defects in 2. The length of the donated radius ranged from 2 to 7 cm (mean, 4.7 cm). In 4 patients the radial forearm flap was transposed, including the lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve as a sensory flap. Simultaneous iliac bone grafting to the donor site was also performed in 4 of the cases. The follow-up period ranged from 44 to 87 months (mean, 64 months). All flaps survived over their full extent. Radiographic bone union was attained after 2 to 3 months (mean, 2.5 months). Two-point discrimination over the 4 sensory flaps ranged from 8 to 15 mm (mean, 10.8 mm). No radius fractures occurred. No patients showed signs of vascular insufficiency from sacrifice of the radial artery. The radial forearm flap provides thin skin of good texture together with bone for a 1-stage reconstruction. For patients with skin and bone defects of the hand, a radial forearm osteocutaneous flap is recommended. This flap is also recommended for patients with traumatic thumb loss, if the dorsalis pedis artery is absent, or if the patient declines using tissue from the foot.     

Use of the parascapular flap in hand reconstruction

A parascapular free flap was used in the treatment of the injured hand of an octogenarian. The flap was done following a pollicization of the index finger. This reconstructive procedure was done 8 days after the original injury.     

The free fibular flap: a useful flap for reconstruction following composite hand injuries

The free fibular flap has been used extensively in facial and extremity long bone reconstruction but has not been presented as a tool for reconstruction following composite hand injuries, in particular for reconstruction of the ulnar border of the hand. We present a case of the use of this flap for reconstruction of such a complex composite hand injury.     

Free composite dorsalis pedis flap for the reconstruction of the hand

Summary One-stage reconstruction of traumatic loss of metacarpal bones, extensor tendons and skin is a challenging problem for the reconstructive surgeon. The anatomical and functional similarity between the structures of the dorsum of the foot and of the hand, makes the dorsalis pedis composite flap a consideration in reconstruction of compound defects of the hand.     

Arteriovenous fistulae after free flap surgery in a replanted hand

AV fistulae are extremely rare complications after hand replantation. In the case presented, the formation of an AV fistula did not occur immediately after the replantation, but after the insertion of the free lateral arm flap to the extensor surface of the replanted hand. This paper discusses the mechanisms responsible for the formation of AV fistulae.     

Free "kite" flap: a new flap for reconstruction of small hand defects

Small, thin, and pliable flaps are frequently required in hand surgery to reconstruct defects in functionally important areas such as the pulp or the "contact zones" of the digits. The innervated first metacarpal artery flap ("kite" flap) is a reliable procedure to restore sensibility in the thumb and the digits. Four microsurgical (free) kite flaps to the hand were performed between February, 1993 and August, 1999 in male patients. Follow-up examinations were performed in three patients. The static two-point discrimination in the kite flaps ranged from 8 to 15 mm and did not show any difference compared to flaps from the foot described in the literature. Semmes-Weinstein testing results ranged from normal to protective sensation with a normal sharp vs. dull discrimination. A free kite flap provides a valuable, safe alternative to venous flaps or other free flaps for reconstruction of small defects in the hand     

Preliminary report: the distally pedicled dorsoulnar forearm flap for hand reconstruction.

In this paper, a new flap for the coverage of soft tissue defects in the hand is described. To obtain a distally pedicled dorsoulnar flap, the dissection of the standard dorsoulnar flap is continued distally under the descending branch of the dorsal branch of the ulnar artery onto the dorsum of the wrist after the dorsal branch of the ulnar artery is ligated and divided. Our modification of the standard dorsoulnar flap converts this flap to a distally based flap, which provides a potentially longer pedicle and increases the arc of rotation of the flap. Two successful cases are reported.     

Use of the dorsalis pedis free flap for reconstruction of the hand

Neurovascular free flaps from the dorsum of the foot provide not only full-thickness cover with innervation but also rich blood supply to the damaged part. This report describes our experience with seven instances of free dorsalis pedis flap transfers applied for restoring sensation to the mutilated hand. The dorsalis pedis free flaps have advantages in reconstruction of the mutilated hand, when no local island tissues are available for transfer.     

The Chinese forearm flap in reconstruction of the hand

A Chinese flap, based on the radial artery, has been used in 29 patients who presented with problems of reconstruction in the hand. The merits and complications of this procedure are discussed.     

A totally laparoscopic peritoneal free flap for reconstruction of hand

Management of defects on the hand and foot with exposed tendons remains a major challenge for plasticsurgeons. Here, we present a case of hand reconstruction with a totally laparoscopic peritoneal flap. The anterior rectus sheath was preserved in situ. The peritoneal free flap supplied by peritoneal branches of the deep inferior epigastric artery was retrieved by laparoscopy to cover the soft tissue defect of the hand. The defect of the dorsal hand was 17 cm * 12 cm. The peritoneal flap measuring 22 cm * 15 cm survived completely without any complications. A following split-thickness skin graft offered the successful wound closure. Motor and sensory function improved gradually within the first year follow-up. The totally laparoscopic peritoneal free flap is a good choice for reconstruction of the soft tissue defects accompanied by exposed tendons on the hand and foot.     

Removal of bone staples: A potential problem in revision surgery after ligament reconstruction

Two cases are presented in which an attempt to remove the staples used to fix an artificial ligament caused the front of the tibia to break. A mechanical study was performed to measure the force required to extract staples from bone cement, as well as from calf bone with predrilled holes. Using an extraction tool, it was possible to generate an average maximum force of 500 N by hand. At that load, all staples remained firmly anchored in cement and bone. The staples were impossible to remove even when the serrations in the staple legs were reduced by 75%. Accordingly, special care is necessary to avoid complications with staple removal.