Posterior interosseous artery flap for resurfacing posttraumatic soft tissue defects of the hand

The need for soft tissue coverage of large defects in the hand and the wrist following trauma is a common problem for hand surgeons. Flap coverage of these defects can be either in the form of distant or regional flaps. The posterior interosseous artery flap recently has emerged as a front runner in these situations by its virtue to preserve both the major arteries to the hand. Thirty-two posterior interosseous artery flaps were used in 32 patients with complex soft tissue defects of the hand. All these defects were posttraumatic. There were associated skeletal and soft tissue injuries in 20 patients. The donor site was closed either primarily or by a split skin graft depending on the size of the defect. All flaps healed well, and there were no incidences of flap necrosis. The donor site required a split skin graft in 24 patients. The flap was bulky in one patient and transient extensor carpi ulnaris weakness was seen in three patients. The posterior interosseous artery flap is a versatile flap for coverage of soft tissue defects of the hand. Good aesthetic results can be achieved with minimal donor site morbidity. Harvesting the flap requires a precise surgical technique and as many perforators as possible should be preserved to ensure flap viability.