First Dorsal Metacarpal Artery Flap For Soft Tissue Defects of Hand

Abstract

Objective: To highlight the various uses of flap based on first dorsal metacarpal artery in various
soft tissue defects of hand.
Material and Methods: Twelve cases of various soft tissue defects of hand, of various
etiologies, falling within the arc of rotation of the first dorsal metacarpal artery were selected to be
covered by the flap based on this artery.
Results: This flap provided cover for soft tissue defects of thumb in seven cases. Three of these
cases had defects on dorsal aspect of thumb, three on the volar aspect and in one case it provided
the pulp of the distal phalanx. It covered defects at palm, thenar eminence and dorsum of hand in
one patient each. Soft defect at first web space were covered in two cases.
Conclusion: This local flap is a good option for the smaller soft tissue defects at the base of
index finger, palm, and various aspects of thumb which are within the arc of rotation of the first
dorsal metacarpal artery.