Use of the Groin Flap in Traumatic Hand Injuries

Abstract

Objective

To analyze the use of the groin flap in the treatment of traumatic injuries that are not very extensive, with tissue loss in the wrist and hand region.

Methods

We performed 14 flaps from the inguinal region to reconstruct traumatic hand injuries. The age of the sample ranged from 21 to 56 years, and all patients were male.

Results

Complete flap survival was recorded in all limbs. In seven patients, there were complications: in two, partial necrosis, for which flap debridement was necessary, and the area was covered with a skin graft. In four cases, marginal necrosis occurred, which later healed spontaneously. Partial loosening at the receiving area was observed in one case in the first week, requiring complete suturing.

Conclusion

Even with the advent of microsurgical techniques, the groin flap remains a good and safe method to repair hand injuries with tissue loss, with or without loss of bone tissue.

Resumo

Objetivo

Analisar o emprego do retalho inguinal no tratamento de lesões traumáticas com perda tecidual, não muito extensas, na região do punho e mão.

Métodos

Foram realizados 14 retalhos da região inguinal para a reconstrução de lesões traumáticas das mãos. A faixa etária foi de 21 a 56 anos, e todos os pacientes eram do sexo masculino.

Resultados

A sobrevida completa do retalho foi registrada em todos os membros. Em sete pacientes houve complicações: em dois, necrose parcial, sendo necessário desbridamento do retalho, e a área foi revestida com enxerto de pele. Em quatro casos, ocorreu necrose marginal, que cicatrizou tardiamente de forma espontânea. A soltura parcial na área receptora foi registrada em um caso, na primeira semana, sendo necessário completar a sutura.

Conclusão

Mesmo com o advento das técnicas microcirúrgicas, o retalho inguinal continua a ser um método bom e seguro de reparo de lesões com perda tecidual da mão, com ou sem perda tecido ósseo.

Keywords

hand injuries - iliac artery - skin graft - soft tissue injuries - surgical flaps

Palavras-chave

arteria ilíaca - enxerto de pele - lesões da mão - lesões dos tecidos moles - retalhos cirúrgicos

Data Availability

Data will be available upon request to the corresponding author.

Authors' Contributions

Each author contributed significantly to this article. EC, LV, and JS: writing – original draft, statistical analysis, conceptualization, and development of the research project; and VB, VT, and KC: data collection, data analysis, writing – original draft, and writing – review & editing.

Work developed at the Department of Surgery, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas e da Saúde, Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo, Sorocaba, SP, Brazil.

Publication History

Received: 16 May 2025

Accepted: 30 September 2025

Article published online:
30 December 2025

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