Is the Distant Pedicled Flap Still Useful in Reconstruction of the Injured Hand?

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the necessity of distant pedicled flap in the treatment of soft tissue defects in the hand. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Distant pedicled flap was performed in the 25 hands of 25 patients from 2000 to 2004. There were 20 males and 5 females and mean age was 34 years. The surgery was done for electrical burns in 13 patients, flame burns in 8 patients and crushing injuies in 4 patients. RESULTS: We have performed 25 distant pedicled flaps for the coverage of soft tissue defects in the hands when local and free flaps were unavailable. Soft tissue coverages by distant pedicled flap were completely successful in all the 25 hands. No complication such as total flap loss, marginal flap loss and infection occurred. CONCLUSION: Distant pedicled flaps were very useful alternative method in the treatment of soft tissue defect in the hand.