Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To explore the effectiveness and operation method of the superficial branch of radial artery wrist crease flap for repair of ring tissue defect of the fingers. METHODS: Between June 2013 and March 2016, the superficial branch of radial artery wrist crease flap was used to repair ring finger tissue defect in 20 cases (21 fingers). There were 14 males and 6 females with an average age of 39.3 years (range, 12-61 years). The causes included machine injury in 9 cases, traffic accident injury in 6 cases, heat inury in 2 cases, and avulsed injury in 3 cases. The index finger was involved in 6 cases, middle finger in 6 cases, ring finger in 3 cases, and little finger in 6 cases. Combined injuries included exposure of bone, tendon, vessel, and nerve. The mean time of injury to operation was 3 hours (range, 0.5-5.5 hours) in 17 patients undergoing emergency operation, and was 8.5 days (range, 7-10 days) in 3 patients undergoing selective operation. The superficial palmar branch of the radial artery from the flap was used for bridging proper digital artery. The donor site was directly sutured in 19 cases and was repaired by skin grafting in 1 case. RESULTS: One case had blood blister at distal flap, which was cured after dressing change; the other flaps survived, and primary healing was obtained. Healing of incision at the donor site healed by first intention. The patients were followed up 6-24 months (mean, 12 months). The appearance, texture, and color of the flaps were satisfactory. The two-point discrimination ranged from 6 to 13 mm (mean, 9 mm) at 6 months after operation. According to the Chinese Medical Association Society of hand surgery of thumb and finger reconstruction function evaluation standard, the results were excellent in 13 cases, good in 4 cases, and fair in 3 cases; the excellent and good rate was 85%. CONCLUSION: The superficial branch of radial artery wrist crease flap is an ideal choice for the repair of ring tissue defect of the fingers.