[Repair of finger tissue defect with modified island flap based on reversed dorsal metacarpal artery]

To investigate the operative procedure and the clinical results of the modified island flap based on the reversed dorsal metacarpal artery for repairing finger tissue defect.

From January 2004 to March 2009, 38 patients (43 fingers) with finger tissue defect were treated with the modified island flaps based on the reversed dorsal metacarpal artery. The diverting point was altered from the dorsal point to the palm. There were 27 males (31 fingers) and 11 females (12 fingers) with an average age of 43.6 years (range, 12-67 years). Defect was caused by crash injury in 18 cases, crush injury in 14 cases, and cutting injury in 6 cases. Of them, 11 index fingers, 23 middle fingers, 7 ring fingers, and 2 little fingers were involved. The area of the defect ranged from 1.0 cm x 0.7 cm to 3.2 cm x 2.5 cm. The area of flaps ranged from 1.2 cm x 1.0 cm to 3.5 cm x 2.8 cm. The donor sites were sutured directly.

Tension vesicular scabbing occurred in distal part of flap, and was cured after dressing change in 3 cases. The other flaps survived and incision healed primarily. All incision at donor sites healed primarily. Thirty-one patients (35 fingers) were followed up 6-29 months (15.3 months on average). All flaps survived with satisfactory appearance, sensation, and function. Two-point discrimination was 6-9 mm (7.9 mm on average). The results were excellent in 20 fingers, good in 13 fingers, and fair in 2 fingers according to the total active movement (TAM) standards; the excellent and good rate was 94.3%.

The treatment of finger tissue defect with the modified island flap based on the reversed dorsal metacarpal artery is recommendable. The diverting point was altered from the dorsal point to the palm. The vessel pedicle is extended. It can be easily and conveniently performed for more cases.