Clinical application of the reversed island flap pedicled with the dorsal digital vascularity

Objective:To investigate a new method of repairing the skin and soft tissue defects of the finger.Methods:The flap was designed in the area including proximal digital dorsum,digital web and distal metacarpal dorsum,pedicled with dorsal digital vascularity.In operative procedure,dorsal digital artery and superfacial dorsal digital vein were kept in the pedicle and in the flap.The donor site of the flap was sutured directly or covered with split skin graft.Results:From Jan.1999 to Aug.2002,13 flaps were transported to repair the skin defects of the fingers in 12 cases and 11 flaps survived.Only 2 flaps were necrotic in epidermal layer and cured by changing the dressing.Conclusions:The reversed island flap pedicled with the dorsal digital vascularity adjacent to the skin defects of the fingers has stable blood supply and can be used to repair skin defects of the fingers with the advantages of safety and easy reach.