Free dorsal middle phalangeal finger flap

Three patients underwent finger reconstruction using free dorsal middle phalangeal finger flaps (DMF flaps). All flaps survived. The free DMF flap relies on blood flow from the dorsal branches of the digital artery and is harvested from the skin on the dorsum of the middle phalanx. The digital artery gives rise to four dorsal branches; two in the middle and two in the proximal phalangeal regions. The flap is based on the dorsal branch of the digital artery that passes near the center of the phalanx. The characteristic feature of the free DMF flap is that the dorsal cutaneous veins are used as drainage vessels. Unlike island flaps, blood congestion does not occur after free DMF flap surgery. Sensibility of the free flap may be obtained by inclusion of the dorsal branches of the digital nerves in the flap pedicle. Loss of the digital artery at the donor site can be circumvented with venous grafting. Surgery under brachial plexus block is an advantage of this flap. The free DMF flap is a useful technique for skin and soft-tissue defects.