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J Reconstr Microsurg 2012; 28(02): 125-132
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1289164
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Use of the Second Dorsal Metacarpal Artery-Based Bilobed Island Flap for Thumb Reconstruction

Xu Zhang
1   Department of Microsurgery, The Second Hospital of Qinhuangdao, Changli, Qinhuangdao, China
,
Xinzhong Shao
2   Department of Hand Surgery, Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
,
Chunzhen Ren
1   Department of Microsurgery, The Second Hospital of Qinhuangdao, Changli, Qinhuangdao, China
,
Sumin Wen
3   Department of Hand Surgery, The Second Hospital of Qinhuangdao, Changli, Qinhuangdao, China
,
Hongwei Zhu
3   Department of Hand Surgery, The Second Hospital of Qinhuangdao, Changli, Qinhuangdao, China
,
Jianxin Sun
3   Department of Hand Surgery, The Second Hospital of Qinhuangdao, Changli, Qinhuangdao, China
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

21 May 2011

02 August 2011

Publication Date:
29 September 2011 (online)

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Abstract

We report the use of the second dorsal metacarpal artery-based bilobed island flap harvested from the index and middle fingers for thumb reconstruction. From October 2006 to March 2008, the flap was performed in 13 hands in 13 patients (10 males and 3 females). The mean age at the time of operation was 45 years (range, 38 to 57 years). The flaps of the index fingers ranged in size from 2.1 × 2.5 cm to 4.2 × 3.2 cm. The flaps of the middle fingers were from 2.5 × 2.5 cm to 4.7 × 3.0 cm. The mean pedicle length was 6.5 cm (range, 5.1 to 8.0 cm). Flap survival was achieved in all cases. At final follow-up (mean 43 months; range, 36 to 52 months), the mean static two-point discrimination of the thumb pulps was 7 mm (range, 5 to 10 mm). Our technique is useful and reliable for the thumb reconstruction in select cases, with minimal donor-site morbidity.

Keywords

second dorsal metacarpal artery-based bilobed island flap - second dorsal metacarpal artery - thumb reconstruction
 

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