Color Doppler Imaging of an Ulnar Artery Perforator Forearm Flap for Resurfacing Finger Defects

Evolution and Application of Ultrasound for Flap Planning in Upper Extremity Reconstruction

Accurate preoperative localization of dominant perforators provides crucial information about their location and diameter, leading to reduced surgical time, improved flap viability, and decreased complications. Ultrasound has increased in popularity in recent years, with the advantages of providing reproducible, accurate, cost-effective, and real-time information while reducing radiation exposure. Precise preoperative mapping of perforators allows for rapid and safe elevation of suprafascial, thin, and superthin flaps. This review focuses on the role of ultrasound as a tool for preoperative flap planning in the upper extremities.

Reconstruction of thumb defects with medial sural artery perforator flap: case series

Background

Digital defect is one of the most common types of emergency hand injuries. Plastic surgeons continue to search for a better method to repair digital defects, especially those of the thumb. The medial sural artery perforator (MSAP) flap has been widely used as a popular method for limb and head reconstruction. Our findings have led us to advocate the use of free medial sural artery perforator flap to repair large thumb defects.

Methods

From July 2010 to July 2013, we used free MSAP flaps to resurface large defects of 9 thumbs in 9 clinical cases. There were 6 men and 3 women among the participants, aged 21–49 years (average age: 37.6 years). Flap sizes varied from 2 cm × 3 cm to 3 cm × 6 cm. Perforators of all flaps were accurately located by color Doppler detection.

Results

According to color Doppler detection, the distance from the popliteal crease to the points where first/second perforator pierced the deep fascia was 10.1±1.1/15.2±0.8 cm. The distance from the midline to the first/second perforator was 2.8±0.8/3.5±0.5 cm. A total of nine flaps fully survived. All defects of the nine thumbs were adequately resurfaced. Postoperative follow-up conducted at 12–24 months revealed satisfaction in both cosmetic and function results.

Conclusions

The MSAP flap, which can be easily harvested and well thinned, is an ideal choice to repair thumb defects. Accurate location of the perforator by Doppler detection ensures the surgical success, and minimizes injury to the donor site.

Pure perforator free sensory proximal ulnar artery perforator flap for resurfacing hand defects

Objective

This prospective study was performed to investigate the distribution of proximal ulnar artery perforating vessels through three-dimensional blood vessel reconstruction and examine the presence and consistency of the perforating vessels intraoperatively.

Methods

For anatomical guidance, three-dimensional blood vessel reconstruction was performed to determine the consistent presence of perforating vessels in the proximal ulnar artery. A free proximal ulnar artery perforator flap was then transferred in 17 patients to resurface skin defects on the hands. Color Doppler ultrasound was used to identify and mark the perforating vessels. Intraoperative evaluation was conducted to check for anastomosis of the perforating vessels at the marked sites and assess the vessel anastomosis conditions.

Results

No vascular crisis, flap necrosis, or wound infection occurred after surgery in 15 patients. Postoperative follow-up was conducted for 6 to 36 months. The appearance of the flap was satisfactory, the texture of the flap was soft, sensation was well restored, and hand function was not limited. The mean two-point discrimination of the flap was 7.6 ± 2.2 mm.

Conclusions

Free sensory proximal ulnar artery perforator flap transfer is a safe and reliable surgical technique with respect to restoration of both the appearance and sensory function of the hand.

A Novel Approach for Reconstruction of Finger Neurocutaneous Defect: A Sensory Reverse Dorsal Digital Artery Flap from the Neighboring Digit

OBJECTIVE

Providing soft tissue coverage for finger neurocutaneous defects presents aesthetic and sensory challenges. A common source for reconstruction of soft tissue defects of the fingers is the same finger. However, when the donor areas are damaged by concomitant injuries, this option is not available. The present study aims to reconstruct finger neurocutaneous defects using a sensory reverse dorsal digital artery flap from the neighboring digit and to evaluate the efficacy of this technique.

METHODS

The study included 16 patients, with an average age of 34.9 years (range, 20-53 years) at the time of surgery, from May 2010 to June 2013. The sensory reverse dorsal digital artery flap was used in all 16 patients, who had a combination of soft tissue and digital nerve defects. The mean size of the soft tissue defects was 3.1 cm × 2.0 cm, and the mean flap size was 3.3 cm × 2.2 cm. The length of the nerve defects ranged from 1.3 to 2.5 cm (mean, 2.0 cm), which were reconstructed with dorsal branches of the proper digital nerve transfer. The active motion of the fingers (injured and donor) and the flap sensibility (static two-point discrimination) were measured. The appearance and functional recovery of the injured finger and the donor site were assessed using the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire.

RESULTS

All flaps survived completely. No complications were reported, and no further flap debulking procedure was required. At the mean follow-up period of 24 months (range, 18-30 months), the mean static two-point discrimination was 6.5 mm (range, 5-10 mm) of the reconstructed area; the mean ranges of motions of the injured finger and the opposite finger at the proximal interphalangeal and distal interphalangeal joints were 102.2° and 103.5°, and 70.3° and 76.5°, respectively. The average ranges of motions of the metacarpophalangeal and proximal interphalangeal joints of the donor fingers were 90° and 103.4°, respectively. Based on the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire, 10 patients were strongly satisfied and 6 were satisfied with the functional recovery of the injured finger; however, 13 patients were strongly satisfied and 3 were satisfied with the appearance of the injured finger.

CONCLUSION

The sensory reverse dorsal digital artery flap from the neighboring digit, based on the dorsal branch of the digital artery, is an effective and additional option for finger neurocutaneous defect reconstruction when use of the local and regional flaps is not feasible.

Use of Perforator-Based Fasciocutaneous Flaps for Pressure Sore Reconstruction: Single-Perforator-Based Versus Multiple-Perforator-Based Flaps

BACKGROUND

A perforator-based fasciocutaneous flap is an alternative type of flap for pressure sore reconstruction. The aim of the present study was to determine whether a single-perforator-based flap or a multiple-perforator-based flap is better for pressure sore reconstruction.

METHODS

We reviewed the general data and postoperative complications in patients who received single-perforator-based or multiple-perforator-based fasciocutaneous flaps for pressure sore reconstruction between July 2009 and July 2012.

RESULTS

No differences in general data, comorbidities, wound locations, flap sizes (73.9 vs. 67.0 cm(2), P = 0.455), and operative times were noted between the single-perforator-based and multiple-perforator-based flap groups. The flap rotation arc was larger in the single-perforator-based flap group than in the multiple-perforator-based flap group; however, the difference in the rotation arc was not significant (99.2° vs. 55.5°, respectively; P = 0.199). Two patients had total flap necrosis and one had partial flap necrosis in the single-perforator-based flap group. None of flap necrosis was noted in the multiple-perforator-based flap group; however, no significant differences in major complications were noted between the two groups. All donor sites underwent primary closure.

CONCLUSION

This is the first clinical patient-matched research that considered the number of perforators and the rotation arc in applying perforator-based fasciocutaneous flaps in wound reconstruction. The results showed that the number of perforators is not the determinant factor of surgical outcome of the use of perforator-based fasciocutaneous flaps in pressure sore reconstruction. Thus, whether a single- or a multiple-perforator-based fasciocutaneous flap is used for flap perfusion does not jeopardize the operation. These results emphasize the reliability and convenience of using freestyle design of perforator-based flaps for pressure sore reconstruction. The design and clinical utility of the flaps have the advantage of being versatile.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .