Free flap of gliding tissue.

A flap of loose connective tissue based on the thoracodorsal vein and artery and lying between the latissimus dorsi and serratus lateralis can be raised and transferred as a local or free flap. This flap has been used to reconstruct the gliding mechanism in block adhesions of the flexor tendons at wrist level. It has also been used for staged tendon and nerve reconstruction at the same site. Technical details for raising the flap are described and other flaps for similar purposes are suggested. Results of five hands in four cases, including one failure, are detailed.