ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the feasibility of repairing soft-tissue defects of the fifth phalange and the back of hand with ulnar palmar artery perforator flaps from the little finger.Methods Based on anatomic dissection,the fifth phalange ulnar palmar artery perforator flaps were created and transferred to repair soft-tissue defects at the little finger and the back of hand in 15 cases.Types of injury were stamping injury in 5 cases,planer injury in 4 cases,mechanical crash injury in 3 cases,blast injury in 2 cases,and cicatrical contracture following electric burn in 1 case.Injury involved in the palmar aspect near the middle segment of fifth phalange in 4 cases,dorsal aspect near the middle segment of fifth phalange in 6 cases,ulnar mesiodistal of the back of hand in 3 cases,and distal ulnar palmar aspect of hands in 2 cases.There were 6 patients wounded in left hands and 9 patients wounded in right hands.Results All flaps survived and all wounds healed by first intention.At the follow-up of 2-18 months,the flaps resurfaced the soft-tissue defects with good color and texture match and the maintenance of contour and function of donor and recipient sites were satisfactory.Conclusion The fifth phalange ulnar palmar artery perforator flap,as it has advantages of constant perforator vessels,rich blood supply and good texture and can be operated safely and easily,is considered an ideal treatment choice in repairing softtissue defects of the fifth phalange and the back of hand.