[Repair of the soft tissue defect of the fifth finger with a reversed ulnar fasciocutaneous flap from the fifth metacarpal side].
OBJECTIVE
To introduce a method by reversed ulnar fasciocutaneous flap incised form the ulnar side of the fifth metacarpal area for repairing the soft tissue defect of the fifth finger.


METHODS
From May 2001 to September 2001, ten patients with the soft tissue defects of the thenar side, dorsal side or ulnar side of the fifth finger were treated with the reversed ulnar fasciocutaneous flap incised from the fifth metacarpal area. The axial line of the flap was the line from ulnar side of the head of the fifth metacarpal bone to the pisiform level. The revolving point of the flap pedicle was 0.5-1 cm near the proximal end of the metacarpal-phalangeal joint.The area of the flap was form 5.0 cm x 3.5 cm to 1.5 cm x 1.0 cm.


RESULTS
All flaps of the ten cases were alive. 5-7 months followed-up show that, after operation, the flap present sensation in 6-12 mm, with soft texture and good appearances.


CONCLUSIONS
The advantages of this operative method were as follows: the reversed ulnar fasciocutaneous flap of the fifth metacarpal area have reliable blood supply, it was easily dissected and with good texture. So far this kind of flap is a good choice in repairing the soft tissue of the fifth finger.
Jiao
Yu-feng
YF
The Central Hospital of Feicheng Mine Groupe Company, Feicheng 271608, China.
Li
Yao-sheng
YS
Guo
Yan-zhang
YZ
Yang
De-Yyng
DY
Zhou
Guang-lin
GL
Sun
Xu-hai
XH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005205:Fascia / Q000637:transplantation*; D005260:Female; D005383:Finger Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D050279:Metacarpal Bones / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D055815:Young Adult