Effect of dorsal thoracic artery perforator flap in the repair of dorsal hand soft tissue defect

ObjectiveTo study the repair effects of dorsal thoracic artery perforator flap in dorsal hand soft tissue defect.

MethodsEighty-eight patients with soft tissue defects were investigated.The hand function assessment scales of patients between before and after 6 months of treatment were compared.The patient's operation time, intraoperative blood loss, hospital stay, donor site wound healing time, recipient site wound healing time, flap survival rate and postoperative complications were analyzed.

ResultsThe scores of opposable fingers, opposable palms, finger adduction and abduction, and total score of hand function of 88 patients after 6 months of treatment were significantly higher than those before treatment(P < 0.05 to P < 0.01).The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, hospital stay, donor site wound healing time and recipient site wound healing time in 88 patients were (95.32±10.59)min, (305.21±26.87)mL, (10.53±1.65)d, (7.26±0.95)d and (8.47±1.16)d, respectively.Among 88 patients, 85 skin flaps survived, and the survival rate of which was 96.59%.Two skin flaps turned purple, and improved after hemoperitoneum drainage and vasodilator treatment.One case of skin flap was partial necrosis, and survived after secondary debridement and retransplantation of the flap.There were 3 cases of blood circulation disorder, one case of hematoma, one case of infection and 2 cases of severe scar hyperplasia after operation.The incidence rate of complication was 7.95%.

ConclusionsThe repair of dorsal hand soft tissue defect with dorsal thoracic artery perforator flap can significantly improve the hand function of the patient, the survival rate of flap is high, which is suitable for further study and use in clinic.