title: Microsurgical medialis pedis flaps for reconstruction of soft-tissue defects in the hand.
abstract: The medialis pedis flap (MPF) has been used for the reconstruction of soft-tissue defects in the hand since 1990. From January 1997 through January 2000, 19 patients (15 male, 4 female) with hand injuries underwent microsurgical MDF reconstruction at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. There were finger injuries in 16 patients and palm defects in 3 patients. The mean patient age was 32.6 years (age range, 16-58 years). Flap size ranged from 4.5 x 2 cm to 7 x 6 cm (mean, 6 x 2.8 cm). Only one flap had partial loss. The donor site was closed primarily in 9 patients, and was closed using a split-thickness skin graft in 9 patients and a full-thickness skin graft in 1 patient. At a mean follow-up of 13 months, the protective sensation was 16 mm using the static two-point discrimination test and was 10 mm using the moving two-point discrimination test. Based on this retrospective study the authors conclude that (1) the MPF has the advantages of thin and glabrous skin, (2) the size of pedicle is compatible with the recipient vessel in the hand, (3) there is low donor site morbidity, and (4) achieving protective sensation is possible.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University, 5, Fu-Hsin Street, Kweishan, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Feng-Chou
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: Ming-Huei
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Hung-Chi
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Fu-Chen
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Wei
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005383:Finger Injuries / Q000601:surgery; D006085:Graft Survival; D006230:Hand Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013524:Surgical Flaps