Zhang Pi-hong, Zhang Ming-hua, Xie Ting-hong, Zhou Jie, Ren Li-cheng, Liang Peng-fei, Zeng Ji-zhang, Huang Xiao-yuan
Department of Burns and Reconstructive Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China.
Department of Burns and Reconstructive Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China. Email:
Zhonghua Shao Shang Za Zhi. 2013 Oct;29(5):424-6.
To observe the effect of free lateral upper arm perforator flap in repairing wound on hand or foot due to electrical burn.
Six patients with full-thickness wounds on hand or foot resulting from electrical burn were hospitalized from June 2010 to June 2013. The wounds ranged from 6.0 cm ×4.0 cm to 8.5 cm×7.5 cm in area. Free lateral upper arm perforator flaps were used to repair these defects, with flap area ranging from 9 cm ×4 cm to 12 cm × 9 cm. The donor sites in five cases were closed by suturing; the other one donor site was closed by transplantation of full-thickness skin from abdomen.
One flap used to repair the wound in middle finger failed due to failure of venous return, and it was repaired with full-thickness skin harvested from abdomen after dressing change. The other five flaps survived resulting in good elasticity and matched appearance of the recipient area without obvious bulkiness. Patients were followed up for 6 to 24 months. The function of the injured hands or feet recovered well, and the results of function evaluation of five hands were excellent in 2 cases, good in 2 cases, and poor in 1 case. Little scar formation with no contraction or function impairment was observed on donor site, and the result was satisfactory.
Free lateral upper arm perforator flap, with long vessel and less adipose tissue, is suitable for repairing small but deep wound on hand or foot due to electrical burn.
