Free groin flap for coverage of soft tissue defect of the hand

Abstract

Objective To discuss the clinical results of the free groin flap in treating skin and soft tissue defect of the hand.Methods The free groin flap was used to treat 9 cases of skin and soft tissues defects of the hand.The size of the flaps ranged from 12.0 cm × 8.0 cm to 7.5 cm × 6.0 cm.The fatty tissue at the edge of the flaps was trimmed before flap transfer.Reperfusion of the flap was established by anastomosing the superficial iliac circumflex artery to the terminal branch of the radial artery in 6 cases and to the common digital artery in 3 cases.Flap drainage was through one concomitant vein and one subcutaneous vein in 8 cases and through only one concomitant vein in 1 case.Results Venous crisis occurred in the case with only one concomitant vein anastomosed 2 days postoperatively.Conservative treatment preserved the subcutaneous tissue of the flap with skin necrosis that needed secondary skin graft.All other 8 flaps survived uneventfully.The patients were follow-up for 3 to 18 months.The flaps were soft with good texture,but slightly bulky.Sensation of the flaps recovered to S2 to S3.The scar at the abdominal donor site was small.Conclusion Free groin flap is a good option for treatment of soft tissue defects of the hand.The donor site is hidden and the scar is small.It has one less operation than pedicled flaps and thus shortens the course of treatment and relieves patient burden. Key words: Surgical flaps; Hand injuries; Tissue transplantation