Soft-tissue coverage of the hand: a case-based approach
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Updated: May 7, 2026

Vascularized Composite Hand Allograft Procurement and Preparation for Distal and Proximal Forearm Allotransplantation: A Stepwise Approach
Published on: May 23, 2025
Kyle R Eberlin1, James Chang, Catherine M Curtin
1Boston, Mass.; Palo Alto, Calif.; Dallas, Texas; and Rochester, Minn. From the Division of Plastic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School; the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine; the Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School; the Division of Plastic Surgery, Mayo Clinic; and the Department of Plastic and Oral Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School.
Abstract:
Adequate soft-tissue coverage of the hand is paramount to achieve optimal aesthetic and functional results in patients with complex hand defects. In this article, the authors present four illustrative clinical cases and discuss potential reconstructive modalities. For each scenario, two surgical options are discussed: one established and one nontraditional method of reconstruction. The authors' preferred method and technical pearls for execution are presented.
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