[Pedicled thoraco-abdominal skin flap applied in early repair of deep ulcer of upper extremity resulting from snake-bite injury].

The ulcer resulting from snake-bite injury was characterized by deep and wide tissue necrosis and secondary infection. The patient was at high risk of loss of function of his extremity. From 1989 to 1996, 16 cases with deep ulcer of the upper extremity resulting from snake-bite injury were treated with different types of axial thoraco-abdominal skin flaps, depending on the location of the ulcer. Thoraco-umbilical skin flap was used in 2 cases, lateral thoracoabdominal skin flap in 1 case, iliolumbar skin flaps in 5 cases, lower abdominal skin flaps in 6 cases, lower abdominal divided foliated skin flap in 1 case and Y-shaped hypogastric skin flap in 1 case. Reparative operation was carried out within 3 weeks after injury and primary repair were undertaken in 6 of them. The pedicles were divided in 17 to 24 days after operation. Twelve flaps survived. Three of the 6 flaps had mild signs of inflammation which disappeared after administration of antibiotics. One had necrosis of the distal part of the flap, and was healed with split skin graft. This type of skin flap was an ideal method for the treatment of snake-bite injury of the upper extremity.