Free Radial Forearm “Bunting” Flap for Reconstructing Soft-tissue Defects Involving Multiple Fingers

• Main Authors: Ataru Sunaga, MD, Shunji Sarukawa, MD, Kunio Miyazaki, MD, Hirokazu Uda, MD, Yasushi Sugawara, MD
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer 2013-08-01
• Series: Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Global Open
• Online Access: http://journals.lww.com/prsgo/Fulltext/2013/08000/Article.8.aspx

Summary: Reconstruction of soft-tissue defects on multiple fingers is challenging because the number of recipient vessels for free flaps is limited. We report the use of a free radial forearm flap with multiple perforator-based skin islands for the reconstruction of complex soft-tissue defects involving multiple fingers. The injuries were caused by a heat press. The flap was transferred, like “bunting,” to the injured hand with an exteriorized pedicle. The technique presented here is advantageous because it simultaneously covers multiple defects and allows immediate hand therapy after the operation.