Dorsal metacarpal island flap in syndactyly treatment

Abstract

Web space reconstruction is an important component of syndactyly treatment. There are several methods for a skin graft-free reconstruction. Previously, the dorsal metacarpal island flap based on a direct cutaneous branch of the dorsal metacarpal artery has been used as an island V-Y advancement for web defects in syndactyly. In this study, dorsal metacarpal artery flap was raised similarly as an island but was used instead as a transposition flap in a series of 19 web defects. Early results of a median (range) follow-up of 3 (1-5) years reveal neither recurrence of the deformity nor web creeping. Such utilization of the flap enables a better use of the skin territory proximal to the pedicle and a more comfortable reconstruction of the web space.