Clinical application of abdominal pedicled ultra-thin skin flap in skin and soft tissue injury of hand and forearm

  Objective  To investigate the therapeutic effect of abdominal pedicled ultra-thin skin flaps for repairing skin and soft tissue injury of the hand and forearm.

  Methods  A total of 26 cases(41 flaps) with deep injuries of hands and forearms were selected. According to the shape and size of the wound after debridement, abdominal pedicled skin flaps were cut off from the abdomen. The middle and distal parts of the flaps were thinned and transferred to cover the skin and soft tissue defects of the hands and forearms. The pedicles were broken about 3 weeks after operation.

  Results  Out of 26 patients, one patient had most of necrosis of the skin flaps. After finger amputation, a little necrosis of the distal part of the skin flaps healed after dressing change. The remaining 25 cases(40 flaps) survived completely. After 6 months follow-up, the transplanted flaps of the hand and forearm were swollen free and soft in texture, and no flaps thinning was needed. The appearance and function of the flaps were satisfactory.

  Conclusion  Abdominal pedicled super-thin skin flaps in repairing defects caused by skin and soft tissue injury of hands and forearms has the advantages of simple operation, higher safety and better recovery in wound shape and function after operation.