RECONSTRUCTION OF FINGER DEFECTS WITH PEDICLED VENOUS ISLAND FLAP

ABSTRACT

Reconstruction of a injured digit needs good aesthetic result as well as functional recovery. Since Honda deported the first clinical application in 1984, the venous flap has been used increasingly for skin and soft tissue defects of the fingers and hands. From november 1992 to december 1995, 12 single-pedicled venous island flaps from hand dorsum were used for coverage of soft tissue defects of fingers over exposed bone, tendon, or joint. The pedicle of the flap included one superfitial dorsal vein of hand and its perivenous areolar tissue. Eight of twelve flaps survived completely and four necrosed partially possibly due to excessively long pedicle and poor perivenous areolar tissue. All donor sites were closed directly. Most patients were satisfied with postoperative result cosmetically and functionally. This method has several advantages easy versatility and operability with superficial location of numerous dorsal vein, making good contour owing to proper thickness of flap, minimal donor site morbidity, and short operation time. We consider that the pedicled venous island flap is another reliable and useful method for reconstruction or finger defects as long as the pedicle length is not long and the perivenous areolar tissue is enough.