Stepladder dorsal metacarpal flaps for dorsal finger and hand reconstruction.

The authors demonstrate successful cases of stepladder dorsal metacarpal V-Y advancement and rotation-advancement flaps for reconstructing defects on the dorsum of the finger and hand. One side of the flap is designed in a multilobed shape, and each lobed flap is designed on the dorsum of adjacent fingers. These flaps are supplied by dorsal metacarpal vessels. Consequently, this method has the elements of the stepped incision technique, in combination with the V-Y and rotation-advancement principle. All flaps survived completely. This technique may be a useful option for reconstruction of defects of the dorsum of the finger and hand.     

The anatomical basis for reverse first to fifth dorsal metacarpal arterial flaps

This study discusses the anatomical basis for reverse first to fifth dorsal metacarpal arterial flaps. The arterial pattern and size of the first to fifth dorsal metacarpal arteries were examined in 20 fresh cadaver hands. Their connections to the palmar arterial system at the metacarpal head were observed, and the location, number and diameter of skin perforators from each dorsal metacarpal artery were measured. The first to fourth dorsal metacarpal arteries were found in all specimens; the fifth dorsal metacarpal artery was found in 19 of our 20 specimens. The mean diameters of the first to fifth arteries at their bifurcation site were 0.6, 0.8, 0.5, 0.4 and 0.2 mm, respectively. Each artery gave off four to eight skin perforators (diameter: 0.1-0.3 mm) between the metacarpal head and base. The first to third dorsal metacarpal arteries consistently connected to the palmar arterial system, and connections between the fourth and fifth dorsal metacarpal arteries and the palmar system were found in 65% and 40% of specimens.     

The versatile metacarpal and reverse metacarpal artery flaps in hand surgery.

Vascular anatomy of dorsal metacarpal arteries was investigated in fresh cadaver dissections and by injection of methylene blue. Origin and termination of the vessels were studied, as well as their connection to the palmar vasculature. Vascular territories and elevation of flaps based on these vessels are also discussed. The second dorsal metacarpal artery was found to be the most consistent. This vessel has a large distal connection to the palmar vessels which allows both proximal and reverse elevation. Representative cases and surgical technique are described.     

The reverse dorsal metacarpal flap

The dorsal metacarpal vessels contribute to the fascial plexus which supplies the skin of the dorsum of the hand. We have successfully used eight reverse dorsal metacarpal flaps based on the dorsal metacarpal arteries. The design and use of the reverse dorsal metacarpal flap is described; it appears to have a reliable vascular basis and its usefulness in covering small soft tissue defects in the hand is illustrated.     

Dorsal metacarpal reverse flaps. Anatomical basis and clinical application.

The presence of distal intermetacarpal anastomoses between dorsal and palmar vascular networks makes it possible to raise distally-based cutaneous island flaps oriented along the axis of the dorsal metacarpal arteries. These flaps receive a reverse-flow vascularisation. Distal intermetacarpal anastomoses were found consistently in 35 hands from adult cadavers. The exact location of these anastomoses varied with the course of the dorsal metacarpal artery. Thus, island flaps can be raised consistently from the dorsal aspect of the hand and rotated around a distal intermetacarpal pivot. These flaps are suitable for covering the dorsal aspect of the proximal phalanx and the proximal interphalangeal joint.     

The dorsal metacarpal arteries: anatomical study. Feasibility of pedicled metacarpal bone flaps

The vascular anatomy of the dorsal aspect of the hand is variable. Nevertheless the presence of the first and the second dorsal metacarpal artery (DMA) is constant. DMA3 and 4 are more variable. The anatomical study presented demonstrates the segmental vascularization of the metacarpal bones and the possibility of harvesting metacarpal bone flaps. The reliability of such a flap decreases from the second to the fifth metacarpal bone regarding the frequency of presence of the DMAs. The authors describe six new vascularized bone flaps from the third and the fourth metacarpal bones pedicled on the second or the third dorsal metacarpal artery in an anterograde or retrograde flow mode. This study suggests that the radial and the ulnar side of the third metacarpal bone could be harvested respectively on the DMA2 and DMA3. The radial side of the fourth metacarpal bone could also be a reliable vascularized bone donor site. Flaps can be used proximally or distally based to repair bone defects either on metacarpal and carpal bones or on proximal phalanges.     

神经端侧缝合修复感觉神经长段缺损的临床观察

目的　探讨临床应用掌背动脉皮瓣修复手指软组织缺损的治疗效果。　方法　采用带掌背动脉逆行岛状皮瓣１０ 例,顺行掌背动脉皮瓣６ 例,修复手指软组织缺损。　结果　皮瓣全部存活,外形满意。　结论　掌背动脉皮瓣是修复手指软组织缺损的较好方法     

Vascular basis of dorsal digital and metacarpal skin flaps

We studied the vascular anatomy of dorsal digital skin flaps and the vascular anastomoses between the dorsal cutaneous branch of the palmar digital artery (PDA) and the dorsal digital branches (the terminal branches) of the dorsal metacarpal artery (DMA) at the level of the proximal phalanx. Eight fresh cadavers (16 hands) were injected with a lead oxide-gelatin mixture. Our radiographic assessment revealed that there were 2 sources of the arterial supply to the dorsum of the digit, the dorsal digital branches of the DMA, and the dorsal cutaneous branches of the PDA. These branches anastomose with each other. A flap including the territory of the dorsal cutaneous branches of the PDA and a part of the territory of the DMA can be harvested on the dorsal aspect of the proximal and middle phalanges. The extended neurovascular island flap, based on the PDA and the dorsal branch of digital nerve, can be transposed to the volar surface of an adjacent finger resurfacing the entire length of the digit.     

指固有动脉背侧支为蒂的逆行掌指背筋膜皮瓣的临床应用

目的 探讨以指固有动脉背侧支为蒂的逆行掌指背筋膜皮瓣修复手指中、远节皮肤软组织缺损的效果.方法 从2007年6月至2009年6月,应用以指固有动脉背侧支为蒂的逆行掌指背筋膜皮瓣修复25例手指中、远节皮肤软组织缺损,皮瓣旋转点位于手指近节中点或近节远段.结果 24例皮瓣完全成活,1例皮瓣远端少部分表皮层坏死.随访病例20例,随访12～18个月.6例皮瓣蒂部局部臃肿需要二期修薄,其余皮瓣血运良好,耐寒,皮瓣薄而质地柔软,外观色泽良好,皮瓣供区无伸肌腱粘连和指蹼挛缩.5例吻合神经的皮瓣两点分辨觉6～10 mm,15例未吻合神经的皮瓣两点分辨觉8～14 mm.结论 以指固有动脉背侧支为蒂的逆行掌指背筋膜皮瓣血运可靠,旋转弧长,操作简单,皮瓣更接近创面,对皮瓣供区损伤更小,可以吻合皮神经重建皮瓣感觉,是一种修复手指中、远节软组织缺损的理想方法.     

掌、指背侧皮瓣修复同指皮肤缺损解剖基础及临床应用

目的介绍修复手指皮肤缺损的同指供区掌、指背侧逆行筋膜蒂岛状皮瓣。方法以掌骨头、近节或中节手指中点为旋转点,分别于掌、指背侧切取岛状筋膜蒂皮瓣,逆行转移修复36个同指皮肤缺损。皮瓣面积1cm×2.5cm～1.4cm×3.5cm。结果随访3个月～1年。皮瓣全部成活。结论该皮瓣操作简单、不损伤指固有动脉及神经,血供可靠,可一期修复手指不同部位皮肤缺损。     

跨区供血的手部微型岛状皮瓣的设计和应用

目的：探索修复手指中节和末节皮肤缺损的新方法。方法：16例新鲜肢体血管灌注氧化铅－明胶混合液,通过X线片显示手背及指背皮肤内的血管结构和血管之间吻合类型。在此基础上设计并应用了两种不同的跨区供血的手部微型岛状皮瓣,1999年以来共应用14例（以指动脉侧支为蒂的掌背逆行岛状皮瓣8例和以指动脉背侧支为蒂的邻指背侧逆行岛状皮瓣6例）。结果：对指背及掌背皮肤进行解剖,结果表明指动脉背侧皮支与掌背动脉的指背支相互吻合形成皮下血管吻合支,是上述两种皮瓣的解剖基础。临床应用14例,皮瓣全部成活,皮瓣色泽、厚度与质地与手部受区皮肤接近。结论：跨区供血的手部微型岛状皮瓣扩大了指背和掌逆行岛状皮瓣的旋转弧度,为修复手指中节和末节皮肤缺损提供了一种新方法。     

The reverse dorsal metacarpal flap from the first web

Summary Experience with the distally pedicled first dorsal metacarpal flap is presented. The anatomical basis of the flap is discussed, and four examples are presented from a group of ten cases. In this series, all flaps were successful. The possibility of using a second web reverse dorsal metacarpal flap and venous reverse flap of the dorsal part of the hand is also discussed.     

Composite (tenocutaneous) dorsal metacarpal flap with reverse flow

The composite dorsal metacarpal flap with reverse flow can be very useful in providing cover of complex defects of the dorsal side of the metacarpal phalangeal area. Two cases are presented in which a loss of skin and tendons was successfully covered with such a flap. Stable cover and good function is achieved with minimal donor site morbidity. Received: 7 December 1997 / Accepted: 2 February 1998     

Extended reverse dorsal metacarpal artery flap: clinical experience and donor site morbidity.

Extended reverse dorsal metacarpal artery (RDMA) flaps use the skin from the dorsum of the hand to cover defects of the long fingers up to the distal phalanx. The authors present a series of 12 patients who underwent closure of defects of the long fingers with these flaps. As relevant literature is scarce, special emphasis was put on donor site morbidity. Active and passive total range of motion (TRM) and pinch grip strength of the finger neighbouring the reconstructed one were evaluated and compared to the corresponding finger of the contralateral hand. The donor site was furthermore evaluated for cosmetic appearance and pain. There was no statistically significant difference for active and passive TRM. The difference for pinch grip reached statistical significance (p=0.04). Subjective evaluation of pain and cosmetic appearance by the patients revealed a mean pain value of 1.25 on a visual analogue scale (0=no pain, 10=maximal imaginable pain) and a mean estimation of cosmetic appearance of 8 (visual analogue scale, 0=worst cosmetic result, 10=best cosmetic result). In conclusion, compared to other flaps, the extended RDMA flap is a fast, secure and single-stage procedure for defect coverage on the long fingers with low donor site morbidity.     

The reverse dorsal metacarpal flap: experience with 153 cases

The authors have performed reverse dorsal metacarpal flaps in 153 cases to cover skin defects over fingers or stumps during the past 15 years. Its indications included acute and chronic skin defects over the second to fifth fingers or stumps. The coverage of the flap ranged from the base of the fingers to the distal interphalangeal joint. One hundred forty-three cases survived uneventfully, and 8 cases presented venous congestion postoperatively, which led to epidermal necrosis. The reverse dorsal metacarpal flap is a reliable and excellent method to cover skin defects over the fingers.     

Dorsal metacarpal flaps

The history of dorsal metacarpal flaps and their anatomical basis is described. In thirty hand dissections, the fascial variety of the first dorsal metacarpal artery was present in 90% and the second dorsal metacarpal artery in 97%. The origin, course, branches and termination of these arteries are illustrated. Doppler ultrasonic flowmeter studies of the vessels in 52 hands are presented but shown to be unhelpful clinically. Two patients in whom the second dorsal metacarpal flap was used, are described and possible difficulties delineated.     

The evolution and refinements of the distally based dorsal metacarpal artery (DMCA) flaps.

Distally based DMCA flaps are well established in reconstructive hand surgery. They comprise the dorsal flap described by Quaba and the DMCA flaps described by Earley, Milner and others. The most frequent indications for these flaps are soft tissue defects of the dorsum of the proximal phalanx and the total length of the finger. Since its introduction several modifications have been developed to match specific defect requirements; these include: the development of pure fascial DMCA flaps, the use of DMCA flaps in dorsally grafted burned hands and modifications in design to avoid 'tunnelling' and to permit skin-skin defect closure. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the evolution and refinements of the DMCA flaps based on the experience of a single centre. The DMCA flaps provide one stage coverage of excellent quality with independent vascularisation and permit primary closure of the recipient site without sacrificing relevant arteries (e.g. proper digital artery). However, the DMCA flaps also possess drawbacks, for example, apart from the fact that this technique is quite demanding, possible hair growth and a visible scar on the exposed dorsal part of the hand present aesthetic problems for some patients. Despite these limitations, DMCA flaps are considered to be extremely useful.     

掌背动脉筋膜瓣修复手指背侧组织缺损

目的 报道应用带掌背动脉的筋膜瓣加游离植皮修复手指背侧组织缺损的临床疗效.方法 2003年12月-2009年12月共治疗手指背侧组织缺损36例,根据手指指背软组织缺损情况,分别采用了顺行带掌背动脉筋膜瓣（10例）、逆行带掌背动脉筋膜瓣（20例）和U-I型掌背动脉筋膜瓣（6例）进行修复.筋膜瓣面积：1.2cm×2.1cm～2.5cm×4.5cm.结果 36例筋膜瓣加植皮区全部成活,术后随访1～12个月,平均6个月,其中31例外形和功能恢复较为满意（86 %）,5例不满意（14%）.结论 选用带掌背动脉筋膜瓣加游离植皮修复手指背侧组织缺损,具有手术操作相对简便,对供区影响小,外形良好,不损伤指固有动脉及神经等优点,可一、二期修复手指背侧不同部位的皮肤缺损.