Free Flaps for Hand Soft Tissue Reconstruction

ABSTRACT

Various soft tissue defects can be occurred in the hand. In determining the most suitable means of reconstruction a defect, the benefit of the reconstruction has to outweigh the risk of donor morbidity. Flap selection will be based on the size of the defect, the requirements for sensibility, the surgeon's comfort level, and the patient profile such as gender, age, or systemic disease. The hand is the most important tactile sensory organ, hence sensory restoration is critical. Neurosensory free flaps can provide sensibility, vascularity, and soft tissue coverage to an injured hand. This paper will discuss free flaps which can be used for soft tissue reconstruction of the hand.