Chinese Journal of Clinical Anatomy ›› 2019, Vol. 37 ›› Issue (4): 457-459.doi: 10.13418/j.issn.1001-165x.2019.04.020

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Repairing the finger wound with digital proper artery defect with flow-through flap based on the descending branch of supracarpal cutaneous branch of ulnar artery

XIAO Rong,WANG Jian-hua,WU Yu-qiang   

  1. Department of Bone Microsurgery, Sanya People's Hospital, Sanya 572000, Hainan Province, China
  • Received:2019-04-15 Online:2019-07-25 Published:2019-08-01

Abstract: Objective To report the clinical efficacy of flow-through flap based on the descending branch of supracarpal cutaneous branch of ulnar artery for repairing the soft tissue defect of finger pulp with digital proper artery defect. Methods From January 2017 to February 2018, 6 patients with skin and soft-tissue defects of finger pulp with digital proper artery and nerve defects were repaired with flow-through flap based on the descending branch of supracarpal cutaneous branch of ulnar artery. The wound area ranged from 2.0 cm×1.0 cm to 3.5 cm×2.4 cm. The length of arterial defect ranged from 0.8 cm to 2.2 cm. The length of nerve defect ranged from 0.8 cm to 2.7 cm. The flap size ranged from 2.3 cm×1.2 cm to 4.3 cm×2.8 cm.  Results All flaps survived completely. There were 5 cases followed up for 8~24 months. At the last follow-up, the flaps were satisfactory in appearance with slight bulkiness, soft in texture, and good in elasticity. The flap sensation recovered from S2 to S3+. The two-point discrimination was 5~11 mm. According to the evaluation criteria of upper limb function of hand surgery society of Chinese medical association, the function was excellent in 3 fingers, good in 2 fingers, and the functional recovery were satisfactory. Only a linear scar was left on the donor site in all patients. The wrist flexion and extension, muscle strength and sensation were normal. Conclusions The flow-through flap based on the descending branch of supracarpal cutaneous branch of ulnar artery can be used to repair the soft tissue defect of finger with digital proper artery defect. It can reconstruct the blood flow and sensation of finger.

Key words: Supracarpal cutaneous branch of ulnar artery,  Flow-through flap,  Surgical flaps,  Soft tissue defect,  Finger

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