title: [Abductor digiti minimi muscle flap for defect coverage of the hand].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Defect coverage of the ulnar aspect of the hand, wrist and hypothenar with an abductor digiti minimi muscle flap and split skin graft.
  
  
  METHODS
  Soft tissue defects of the ulnar aspect of the hand, wrist and hypothenar. Osteomyelitis of the fifth metacarpal bone.
  
  
  METHODS
  Large defects > 3 × 5 cm, complex hand trauma, injuries of the ulnar artery or within the area of the pedicle.
  
  
  METHODS
  Marking of the flap's rotational radius, using the pisiform bone as the center point. Ulnar skin incision and exposure and detachment of the distal flap pole, which is located at the level of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint. Dissection of the abductor digiti minimi muscle flap up to the vascular pedicle in the area of the pisiform bone. Transposition and fixation of the flap onto the defect after opening of the tourniquet. Coverage of the muscle flap with a split skin graft. Wound closure of the donor side.
  
  
  METHODS
  Palmar cast splinting in intrinsic-plus position for 10 days physiotherapy. Scar care and compression glove for 3 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, 9 patients showed good results with a reliable defect coverage due to a constant anatomy and easy preparation.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Plastische Chirurgie, Handchirurgie, Intensiveinheit für Schwerbrandverletzte, Universitätsklinik Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538, Lübeck, Deutschland. felix.stang@gmx.de
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Stang
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Siemers
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: von Wild
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Weyers
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mailänder
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Stollwerck
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006230:Hand Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D064827:Myocutaneous Flap; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome