Free vascularized temporal parietal flap in hand surgery

Free vascularized temporo-parietal fascia (TPF) flap is a flap of thin, pliable and vascularized tissue which can cover an area measuring up to 12 cm x 14 cm. The flap is harvested based on temporal vessels, which provide a smooth, gliding surface for tendon function and eliminates the need for secondary procedures usually required by the pedicled or bulky free vascularized myocutaneous flaps. The donor pedicle is long and consistent with an average diameter of 3 mm in adults. This flap is versatile. In 12 resurfacings for traumatic wounds of hand and wrist, no flaps were lost. Donor site morbidity, except for a transient sideburn hair loss in one case, was not encountered. We recommend this flap as a viable one-stage procedure for coverage of complex hand wounds.