Repair of Compound Dorsal Defects of the Digits Using a Free Antegrade Palmaris Longus Tendocutaneous Venous Flap.

PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical effect of repairing small dorsal digit compound tissue defects using a free palmaris longus tendocutaneous flap nourished by venous blood.

METHODS

In a retrospective analysis of patients treated between March 2010 and October 2017, 18 patients were identified as having small compound tissue defects, which were repaired using a free palmaris longus tendocutaneous flap nourished by venous blood. The average age of the patients, including 15 male and 3 female patients, was 34 years (range, 22-55 years). The mean wound size was 6 cm2 (range, 2.0 × 1.5 to 3.5 × 2.0 cm2). All the patients had dorsal defects. The average length of extensor tendon defect was 2.0 cm (range, 1.0-3.0 cm). The mean area of the flap was 7 cm2 (range, 2.5 × 2.0 to 4.0 × 3.5 cm2). The donor sites were primarily closed.

RESULTS

All 18 flaps survived. A vascular crisis due to a venospasm occurred within 48 hours in 3 flaps, but ultimately, all the flaps survived. The patients were followed-up for a mean period of 10 months (range, 3-15 months). All the patients returned to their previous work after 10-12 weeks. No pain or scar contracture was reported in either the recipient or donor site.

CONCLUSIONS

The free antegrade palmaris longus tendocutaneous venous flap enabled the repair of compound tissue defects of the dorsal digit, resulting in acceptable aesthetics, repaired tendon defects, and wound coverage. This surgical method is an option for the reconstruction of small compound defects of digits with extensor defects.

TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic IV.