title: Free flaps in the reconstruction of hand and distal forearm injuries.
abstract: We report a series of 32 free flap reconstructions following acute hand and forearm trauma. The series consists of two dorsalis pedis flaps, four scapular flaps and 26 lateral arm flaps. One flap became infected and failed completely, and a partial necrosis occurred in another flap. The transfers covered large skin defects, exposed tendons, tendon grafts, bone, bone grafts, joints, nerves and nerve grafts. The donor site morbidity was negligible. Our study shows that free microvascular flaps are a safe and convenient alternative to conventional flaps in hand surgery. The lateral arm flap seems very suitable for small and medium size defects.
authors.affiliation: Kronprinsesse Märthas Institutt, National Orthopaedic Center, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Reigstad
authors.forename: K R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Hetland
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bye
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Røkkum
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000379:methods / Q000473:pathology; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005543:Forearm Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D006085:Graft Survival; D006230:Hand Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009132:Muscles / Q000473:pathology / Q000637:transplantation; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods / Q000473:pathology; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000379:methods*; D013709:Tendon Transfer / Q000379:methods