Preliminary outcomes of the modified first dorsal metacarpal artery island flap for soft tissue defects of the thumb

Abstract

Objective To explore the survival rate and early-term effects of sensory reconstruction of the modified first dorsal metacarpal artery (FDMCA) flap in treatment of thumb distal soft tissue defect.Methods From March 2004 to October 2007, 65 patients with soft tissue defects of the thumb underwent the FDMCA flap in our department. Forty-nine cases with complete data were included in the study. There were 37 males and 12 females, with an average age of 32 years (ranged, 18-65 years). The conventional surgical methods were used in 18 cases while the improved surgical methods were in 31 cases. The distal necrosis, the vascular crisis rate and the sensory recovery were recorded. Results The mean follow-up period was 2 years (ranged, 20 months to 3 years). Forty-six flaps survived completely. Vascular crisis occurred in five cases harvested by the conventional methods. Eventually, three of them had a partial distal necrosis.Improved FDMCA flap survived well in all 31 patients. Flaps in these patients with nerve anastomosis restored satisfied sense and all sense were located in the thumb. Eighteen cases of nerve transfer group had different levels of mixed feelings (33%) or ectopic sensory (62%). Sense was located in the thumb completely in 1 case. Conclusion The modified FDMCA flap significantly increased the survival rate. Neurorrhaphy could make the sense of the flap locate in the thumb; however it had not been proved that its impact on the recovery of two-point discrimination and stereognosis. Key words: Hand injury; Thumb; Surgical flaps; Microsurgery