Applied anatomy of the island flap pediceled with dorsal digital vessels

Objective: To study the applied anatomy of the dorsal digital vessels and provide data for corresponding island flap. Methods: 20 hands (10 cadavers) were dissected step by step to observe the veins, nerves and arteries in the dorsum of the hand. Results: The external diameter of the ulnar dorsal digital artery of the thumb was about (0.37±0.05)mm at the original point . The external diameter of the radial dorsal digital artery of the index finger was (0.40±0.07)mm at the original point, and the external diameter of the dorsal digital artery of other fingers was about (0.32±0.06) mm at the original point. The external diameter of dorsal digital veins at the level of the proximal interphalangeal joint was (0.51±0.07)mm. The diameter of dorsal digital nerve of the thumb at metacarpophalangeal joint was (0.41±0.06) mm and the diameter of the dorsal digital nerve in radial side of the index finger was (0.38±0.07 )mm. Conclusions: The vessels in the dorsum of the finger exist stable and the island flap pediceled with them has abundant blood supply .