Immediate free flap reconstruction of traumatic defects.

In a series of 180 transfers of free flaps were in 11 cases on upper extremities applied emergency flaps, both for immediate reconstruction of function and for the replacement and covering of tissue defects. In one case a scapular flap was used simultaneously with the replantation of the forearm. In three cases was applied a forearm flap for the reconstruction of the thumb and of the scalped index finger, and in three cases a central venous flap for traumatic defects of tissues on fingers. These flaps yielded surprisingly good functional results after an injury associated with a loss of dorsal aponeurosis of fingers and with an exposure of IP joints. A toe-to-hand transfer was used in one case for the reconstruction of the thumb. A groin flap and a lateral arm flap were applied for the covering of tissue defects.