Reconstruction of the hand with forearm island flaps

Abstract

From all of the flaps reviewed, it is important to know how to select the most suitable choice in each case. Aside from the technical expertise of the surgeon, the indication depends on the size and the location of the substance loss. For large defects in any location, the radial forearm flap remains the most reliable and safest choice. For children and women, the authors prefer distant pedicled transfers or free flaps to minimize cosmetic donor site morbidity. For small or medium defects that cannot be managed by a local transposition flap, the indication is based on the location of the wound. Palmar defects, if proximal and ulnar, may be covered using the dorsal ulnar flap, with little morbidity in the donor area. The anterior interosseous flap seems a better choice whenever vascularized tendon, nerve, or bone are needed also. For the first web space and neighboring radial defects, the posterior interosseous flap provides a reasonable alternative. Dorsal defects of the hand can be reconstructed with a posterior interosseous flap, provided there is no suspicion of injury to the anastomotic dorsal system of the wrist. The anterior interosseous flap is a good choice for composite osteocutaneous transfers. For complex composite defects, the ulnar artery forearm flap distally based may be indicated for reconstructive problems requiring vascularized flexor tendons. The anterior interosseous flap is able to provide excellent quality vascularized bone. Indications depend above all on the surgeon's experience and on the different schools. As always, the better flap is that which is performed by the surgeon who has mastered the particular surgical technique. In conclusion, this article is devoted to an update on forearm flaps and illustrates the innovative strength of this specialty. It also points out that, through in depth knowledge of the anatomy, flaps may be raised from many anatomic regions of a limb without disturbing the main vascular axis of that extremity. Minimizing the donor site morbidity while maximizing the quality of the reconstruction is the primary concern when indications are established for reconstructive hand surgery, which is where one of the authors' main research efforts resides.