title: Resurfacing of a complex upper extremity injury: an excellent indication for the dorsal thoracic fascial flap.
abstract: We report a case of a 24-year-old patient who sustained a mutilating crush injury to the left forearm. After thorough debridement and stabilization of the skeletal injury, the dorsal thoracic fascial flap was used to resurface the circumferential wound, protect the underlying structures, and provide a gliding surface for the exposed tendons. The flap was safely transected during revision surgery, and at 6-months follow-up, excellent functional and cosmetic results were achieved. The dorsal thoracic fascia is a thin, durable, and pliable tissue that is based on a long vascular pedicle. We consider the dorsal thoracic fascial flap as a valuable option for coverage of complex upper extremity injuries and highly recommend its use.
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40292, USA. ronmdsurg@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Ron
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hazani
authors.forename: Darrell
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Brooks
authors.forename: Rudolf F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Buntic
mesh_terms: D000059:Accidents; D003646:Debridement; D005543:Forearm Injuries / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D005597:Fractures, Open / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery; D009336:Necrosis; D015541:Off-Road Motor Vehicles; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000601:surgery; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting; D014458:Ulna Fractures / Q000601:surgery; D055815:Young Adult