Application of digital artery island flap for soft tissue defects of finger / 中国微创外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the effectiveness of repair of soft tissue defects of finger by using the digital artery island flap.Methods A total of 25 cases of soft tissue defects of finger were treated by using the digital artery island flap in this department from August 2003 to November 2004.The flap was 2.0~3.0 cm ? 1.5~3.0 cm in size.Results The flap had survived in all the 25 cases.The operation time was 60~90 min(mean,75 min),and the intraoperative blood loss was 25~40 ml(mean,32 ml).The skin graft necrosed by one-third of area in 2 cases,which was cured by a re-grafting.Follow-up observations in 23 cases for 6~18 months(mean,13.5 months) revealed the flaps with normal color,elasticity,and appearance.The static two-point discrimination was 6.5~8.8 mm(mean,7.5 mm).The digital pain and temperature sensation had recovered to normal,and the patients reported satisfactory sensory and motor functions.Conclusions Characterized by simple performance and satisfactory outcomes,digital artery island flap is an ideal choice for the coverage of soft tissue defects of finger.