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The Bridged Digital Artery Perforator Flap as an Alternative Reconstructive Option for Dorsal Digital or Toe Soft
Epameinondas Kostopoulos1, Petros Konofaos2, Matthew Mitchel2
1From the Department of Plastic Surgery, Metaxa Anticancer Hospital, Piraeus, Greece.
Annals of Plastic Surgery
|April 20, 2022
Summary
This study introduces bridged digital artery perforator flaps for challenging dorsal digital defects. The new technique shows promising results, offering a reliable reconstructive option for soft tissue reconstruction.
Area of Science:
- Plastic Surgery
- Reconstructive Surgery
- Microsurgery
Background:
- Dorsal digital soft tissue defects present significant reconstructive challenges.
- Existing treatment options for these defects remain controversial.
- The "bridge principle" offers a novel approach for indirect flap transfer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility of the "bridge principle" in digital reconstruction for dorsal defects.
- To develop and describe a new flap based on this principle.
- To present bridged digital artery perforator flaps as an alternative treatment.
Main Methods:
- A series of 14 patients with dorsal digital or toe soft tissue defects were treated.
- The "bridge principle" was applied using dorsal subcutaneous adipofascial tissue.
- Bridged digital artery perforator flaps were utilized for reconstruction.
Main Results:
- Reconstruction involved 12 digits and 2 toes with mean defect size of 1.3 × 1.1 cm.
- All flaps demonstrated successful survival without venous congestion.
- Minor complications included wound dehiscence (14.3%) and transient swelling (1 case).
Conclusions:
- A novel reconstructive concept, the bridged digital artery perforator flap, was introduced.
- Initial outcomes are highly encouraging, demonstrating reliability.
- This technique offers a valuable new option for dorsal digital soft tissue defect reconstruction.
