Tips to orient pedicled groin flap for hand defects

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Reconstructive Surgery

Background:

• Groin flaps are axial-patterned cutaneous flaps utilized for soft-tissue coverage of hand and forearm defects.
• A known disadvantage of pedicled groin flaps is patient discomfort during the pre-division period.
• Proper flap planning, including orientation and inset, can mitigate these disadvantages.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a simplified technique for orienting groin flaps to better fit surgical defects.
• To reduce patient discomfort and surgical complexity associated with groin flap procedures.

Main Methods:

• A modified technique for orienting the groin flap to precisely match the defect dimensions is described.
• Emphasis is placed on avoiding flap kinking and optimizing the inset for improved vascularity and patient comfort.

Main Results:

• The presented technique simplifies flap orientation, reducing the need for lengthy flaps and tubing.
• This method enhances patient comfort by minimizing the duration of the pedicled phase.
• Surgical procedures involving flap division and inset are made easier and more efficient.

Conclusions:

• The described technique offers a simple, reproducible method for improving groin flap reconstruction.
• This approach enhances patient comfort and streamlines the surgical process for soft-tissue defects of the hand and forearm.