Clinical application of reverse island flap of the adjacent digit pedicled with the Y-V vascular of digital artery by anastomosis of superficial veins

Objective To investigate the methods and results of reverse island flap of the adjacent digit pedicled with the Y-V vascular of digital artery by anastomosis of superficial veins for repairing soft tissue defects of the fingers.Methods From March 2009 to June 2011,twenty cases with soft tissue defect distal to the proximal interphalangeal join of fingers were treated by reverse island flap of the adjacent digit pedicled with the Y-V vascular of digital artery by anastomosis of superficial veins.There were 12 cases of the index finger,eight of middle finger,the largest area of the flaps was 4.5 cm × 3.5 cm,and the smallest area was 3.5 cm × 2.5 cm,an average of the pedical length was 4.0 cm.All cases anastomosis one superficial vein,fourteen cases suture dorsal digital nerve,and the donor area covered with full-thickness skin graft.Results All flaps survived.Postoperative follow-up time ranged from 8 to 16 months,the appearance and texture of the flaps were excellent,the flaps with suture nerves,the two-point discrimination was 7 mm to 9 mm,the other flaps that the nerves were disconnected.The sensation of the flaps recovered to S2-S3,no morbidity of the donor fingers occurred.Conclusion Reverse island flap of the adjacent digit pedicled with the Y-V vascular of digital artery by anastomosis of superficial veins can form a longer vascular pedicle,to repair the soft tissue defect distal to the proximal interphalangeal joint,through anastomoses superficial venous can reduce the flap venous pressure obviously,improve the survival quality of the flap,the effect is satisfacted. Key words: Fingers; Digital artery; Digital artery flap; Venous anastomosis