Free flaps for soft tissue coverage in the hand and fingers

With mastery of conventional methods, free flaps are indicated in selected cases for coverage of the hand and fingers. Careful preoperative planning, delicate intraoperative management, and postoperative physiotherapy are the mainstays for success in functional recovery and aesthetic result. Thin flaps of good vascularity are favored for coverage of the hand and finger. For hand surgeons, the lateral arm fasciocutaneous or fascia flap, toe flaps, and the latissimus dorsi flap seem to be the easiest and most useful free flaps applicable to most situations.