Cover small skin and soft tissue defects of wrist, hand and thumb by reverse posterior inter-osseous skin flaps

ABSTRACT

33 cases of posterior inter-osseous island flaps with reverse flow were done at the Reconstructive Microsurgery Department, Center for Trauma and Orthopedics of Ho Chi Minh City from January 1997 to September 1998. These flap transfers were used to cover small skin and soft tissue defects of wrist, hand thumb and MP Joint areas. The total surface of the island flap is from 32-60 cm2, the pedicle length is from 08-12cm. The survival rate was 94%, the graft skin was supplied, with very little fibrous and contractile scar. There was no sensibility except 03 were gradually recovered up to S1-S2. The conveniences of this procedure were acceptable easy to perform, unnecessary to scarify a main artery and the survival rate of the flap is high. This island flap is always suitable to relapse the Chinese island flap in some indications.