Radial artery perforating cutaneous branch flap of the wrist for repair of defects of the hand

Abstract

Objective To report the method and clinical results of repairing skin and soft tissue defects of the hand using the radial artery perforating cutaneous branch flap of the wrist.Methods From January 2008 to June 2011,the radial artery perforating cutaneous branch flap of the wrist was used to repair defects of the hand in 15 patients.The flap was designed based on the size and shape of the defect.The sizes of the soft tissue defects ranged from 2.5 cm×2.8 cm to 4.6 cm×9.5 cm.The areas of the harvested flaps ranged from 2.Scm×3.0cm to 4.Scm×9.7cm.Results Compression of the vascular pedicle occurred in one case postoperatively.The vascular crisis was corrected by immediate surgical exploration and decompression and the flap survived.The remaining 14 flaps and the donor site skin grafts survived uneventfully.After 6 to 12 months'follow-up,the texture of the flap was found to be soft and the appearance and function of the hand satisfactory.Conclusion The perforating cutaneous branch of the radial artery is relatively constant.Flap harvesting is simple.The postoperative appearance is good.This flap is an effective method to repair soft tissue defects of the hand. Key words: Surgical flaps; Radial artery; Hand injuries