Vascular basis and clinical application of dorsal digital flaps for covering thumb soft tissue defects

Objective To investigate method for repairing the skin and soft tissue defects in the thumb. Methods Eight adult cadavers ( 16 hands) were used to stud) dorsal artery of thumb, Ist dorsal metacarpal arterv and dorsal artery of radial lateral in index finger. On the basis of the author' s anatomical study, island flaps were planned on the dorsum of the thumb or the index finger with dorsal artery of thumb. dorsal artery of radial lateral in index linger respective for clinical application. Results The diameter of the dorsal artery of the thumb was 0. 24 mm to 0. 46 mm.0. 37 mm in average. The diameter of the dorsal artery of radial lateral in index finger was 0. 26 mm to 0. 56 min.0. 44 mm n average. 12 cases with soft tissue defects in thumbs were repaired with reversed island flap pedieled with dorsal artery of thumb and island flap pedicled with dorsal artery of radial lateral in index finger. Innervation was achieved in all patients who under went sensory flap transfer, as indicated by 4 mm ol two-point discrimination in four weeks postoperation. Conclusion Island flap on the dorsum of the finger, pedicled with the dorsal vessels,seems to be an excellent option for one-stage reconstruction of the soft tissue defect in the thumb with very favourable functional and cosmetic results