Abstract:

Objective  To investigate feasibility of the clinical application of modified fingerweb perforator artery chain-like dorsal metacarpal flap for finger wound repairing.  Methods   Our department treated 25 cases of finger wounds in patients from Sep. 2009 to Sep. 2012 .The modified fingerweb perforator artery chain-like dorsal metacarpal flap was used to repair finger wounds and the patients were followed up.Results   The flaps survived successfully, tension blisters appeared on distal ends of flaps 3 cases, which subsided after dressing changes; 18 cases were followed up for 6 to 18 months with an average of 12 months. The flaps grew in good shape, no dysfunction was found in finger flexion, two-point discriminations were 8 - 10mm. The initiative activities of the fingers were evaluated according to Upper Extremity Evaluation Trial Criteria of Hand Surgery Society of Chinese Medical Association, 15 cases got A, 2 cases got B, 1 case got C, the good rate was 94%.  Conclusion   The clinical application of modified fingerweb perforator artery chain-like blood-supply dorsal metacarpal flap is suitable for repair of larger wounds in proximal middle and distal segments of fingers and has advantages of being easy in operation and reliable in blood supply. It can be used to prepare composite tissue flaps for primary repair of tendon and bone tissue defects..

Key words: Surgical flaps, Finger, Wound repair, Perforating interdigital