Medial sural artery perforator flap for repair of the hand

• Published in: The Journal of hand surgery, European volume Vol. 32; no. 5; p. 512
• Main Authors: Xie, R G, Gu, J H, Gong, Y P, Tang, J B
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01.10.2007
• Subjects: Accidents, Occupational; Accidents, Traffic; Adult; Anastomosis, Surgical - methods; Arteries - surgery; Female; Graft Survival - physiology; Hand Injuries - surgery; Humans; Male; Microsurgery - methods; Middle Aged; Postoperative Complications - physiopathology; Postoperative Complications - surgery; Radial Artery; Range of Motion, Articular - physiology; Reoperation; Soft Tissue Injuries - surgery; Surgical Flaps - blood supply; Tissue and Organ Harvesting - methods; Wound Healing - physiology; Wrist - physiopathology; Wrist - surgery
• ISSN: 1753-1934; 2043-6289
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhse.2007.05.010

We report our experience of using the medial sural artery perforator flap in the reconstruction of soft tissue defects in the hand in seven cases with 1 to 2 year follow-up. The flap is harvested from the posteromedial aspect of the leg, just below the knee and superficial to the medial head of the gastrocnemius muscle. It is based on the perforator arteries and veins supplied by the medial sural artery. The flaps ranged in size from 14 x 10 cm to 8 x 6 cm. The donor area was closed directly or by a skin graft. All but one flap survived. The cosmetic results were satisfactory and without apparent bulkiness. Similarity of colour and thickness of the donor and recipient sites are advantages. We feel that this new flap is a satisfactory option for use in the hand, particularly for extended soft tissue defects on the dorsal hand.