Medial pantar venous flap for reconstruction of different locations of digital soft tissue defects

Abstract

Objective To investigate procedures and clinical effects of medial plantar venous flaps in reconstruction of different sites of finger soft tissue defects.Methods From March 2010 to April 2012,29 cases (31 fingers) of soft tissue defects in different sites were treated with medial plantar venous flaps,including 11 finger tip defects (13 fingers),7 finger back defects (7 fingers),11 finger pulp defects (11 fingers).Size of the defects ranged from 1.2 cm× 1.5 cm to 2.5 cm × 3.5 cm.Size of the flap ranged from 1.5 cm × 2.0 cm to 3.0 cm × 4.0 cm.Donor sites were covered with full thickness skin graft.Results ALL flaps survived,except for one with arterial crisis and two with venous crisis,which were cured after timely vascular exploration and arteriovenous anastomosis.Donor and recipient sites were healed by first intention and skin grafts in donor sites survived.Twenty-four cases (26 fingers) were followed up for 4 to 12 months.Texture and color of the flaps were similar to those of adjacent normal skin,with a satisfactory appearance.Fingerprint and protective sensation were attained for soft tissue defects of the finger tip and pulp after operation.Conclusion Medial plantar venous flap is an ideal surgical option for reconstruction of finger soft tissue defect,for it has advantages of good effect and less damage to donor sites. Key words: Surgical flaps ; Hand ; Soft tissue injuries ; Repair