Flow-through Dorsoulnar Perforator Flap Repair of Soft-Tissue Defect of the Finger with Segmental Digital Arterial Defect

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of transferring the free flow-through dorsoulnar perforator flap to reconstruct severely injured fingers. From January 2015 to March 2019, 16 patients, 16 thumb or fingers volar partial defects concomitant with segmental digital arterial defects, were included in this study. The flow-through dorsoulnar perforator flaps were used to repair the finger wounds and reconstruct digit arteries. Sixteen fingers in 16 patients were successfully reconstructed and all flaps survived completely. At the final follow-up, the appearance of the affected fingers was aesthetically pleasing. Two-point discrimination of the fingertips was 7.5-11.0 mm. According to the Total Active Motion (TAM) method: nine fingers were excellent, four were good, and three were fair. The free flow-through dorsoulnar perforator flap can achieve the goal of mending finger soft-tissue conditions complicated with segmental digital arterial defects with good results. Key Words: Flow-through flaps, Perforator flap, Dorsoulnar artery, Soft-tissue defect.