[Fillet flaps as a possibility for defect reconstruction of the hand. Reconstruction without additional donor site...

Fillet flaps offer an additional reconstruction opportunity for complex hand defects after trauma, burns, tumors or infections. This retrospective study elucidates the concept of fillet flaps and presents the results of an overall of 34 plastic surgical reconstructions of the hands in 31 patients. Pedicled axial pattern flaps were used predominantly, except 2 cross finger flaps. In 10 cases the defects were localized in the dorsal and in 9 cases in the palmar aspect of the hand. 14 finger defects and one of the ulnar hand were covered. Very few complications occured. In only 2 cases partial flap loss was observed. An additional wound infection required revision in one case. Another case was left to secondary healing. Prior to any amputation, possible use of spare parts for defect reconstruction should be considered as a matter of principle. Our data suggest that the concept of fillet flaps is suitable for the reconstruction of complex defects of the hands without additional donor site morbidity.