title: Fascial Free Flap for Reconstruction of the Dorsolateral Hand and Digits: The Advantage of a Thin Contour.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Fascial free flaps have been widely used for reconstruction of the hand because they are thin. However, studies reporting objective data regarding the advantages of this approach are lacking. Thus, we report our experience with such flaps.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-five cases of fascial free flaps between November 2006 and March 2014 were reviewed. Nine cases involving reconstructed dorsal or lateral defects were included. Four anterolateral thigh fascial free flaps and 5 lateral arm fascial free flaps were examined. Maximal flap contour was assessed by measuring reconstructed tissue thickness at the central area from the surface of the skin to below the bone in a vertical manner using ultrasonography and X-ray data. Contralateral regions were examined in the same manner and a comparative analysis was performed. A questionnaire survey regarding aesthetic satisfaction was also administered.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All reconstructed parts had a thicker contour than the contralateral side. The average relative percentage of reconstructed tissue thickness was found to be 152% using ultrasonography and 143% using X-ray imaging. According to the aesthetic satisfaction survey, the average rate of satisfaction for patients was 62%, and satisfaction with the flap contour was 72%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Using a fascial free flap, the reconstructed tissue was approximately 1.5× as thick as the contour of the normal side, which led to positive responses regarding aesthetic satisfaction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Gwangmyeong Sungae General Hospital, Gwangmyeong, Korea.
authors.forename: Min Gue
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Gwangmyeong Sungae General Hospital, Gwangmyeong, Korea.
authors.forename: Jin Soo
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Gwangmyeong Sungae General Hospital, Gwangmyeong, Korea.
authors.forename: Dong Chul
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Gwangmyeong Sungae General Hospital, Gwangmyeong, Korea.
authors.forename: Si Young
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Roh
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Gwangmyeong Sungae General Hospital, Gwangmyeong, Korea.
authors.forename: Kyung Jin
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Gwangmyeong Sungae General Hospital, Gwangmyeong, Korea.
authors.forename: Byeong Kyoo
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Choi
keywords: Fascia; Free tissue flaps; Patient satisfaction; Thinness