The document discusses flap coverage in upper extremities during trauma, detailing the types of flaps (local, regional, and distant), their classifications, and specific flaps like the radial forearm flap and latissimus dorsi flap for reconstructive surgery. It emphasizes the importance of flap selection based on patient condition, defect size, and surgeon skill, as well as postoperative monitoring to prevent complications. The document also outlines the pathophysiology of flap healing and the criteria for successful flap procedures.

1. Flap Coverage in
Upper Extremities in trauma
Dr Vishal Patil

2. Introduction
• A flap is a vascularized block of tissue that is mobilized
from its donor site and transferred to another location,
adjacent or remote, for reconstructive purposes.

3. A flap is used
• To reconstruct a large primary defect
• Replace tissue loss during trauma or surgical excision.
• Provide padding over bony prominences.
• Bring in better blood supply to poorly vascularized bed.
• Improve sensation to an area

4. Classification of flaps
Classification of Flaps Can be based on:
1. Congruity
2. Circulation
3. Anatomical Components

5. Classification
CONGRUITY
• local
• Regional
• Distant
1.Pedicled
2. Free flap
• Island
CIRCULATION
• Axial pattern
• Random pattern
ANATOMICAL
COMPONENT
• Skin
• Muscle and
myocutaneous
• Fascia and
fasciocutaneous

6. • Free flap option is a versatile single stage procedure
facilitating simultaneous reconstruction of other critical
structures. It also allows postoperative mobilization and early
discharge and return to work
King EA, Ozer K. Free skin flap coverage of the upper extremity. Hand
Clin.2014;30:201e209. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hcl.2014.01.003.
.

7. • Pedicled flaps have been the workhorse flaps for
reconstruction of the upper limb in many centers across the
world. Though the procedure includes multiple surgery,
prolonged immobilization, and joint stiffness.
Sabapathy SR. Refinements of pedicle flaps for soft tissue cover in the upper limb.
In: Venkataswami R, ed. Surgery of the Injured Hand. New Delhi (India):Jaypee
Brothers; 2009:

8. HAND SOFT TISSUE RECONSTRUCTION
• Local flap
1. Advancement flap
2. Transposition flap
3. Island flap
• Regional flap
1. Radial forearm flap
2. Posterior interosseous artery flap

9. Volar V-Y advancement flap
•The volar V-Y flap is a triangular shaped volar advancement
flap outlined with its tip at the distal interphalangeal crease.
•Applicable for transverse and dorsal avulsions

10. Cross finger (transposition flap)
•The flap is elevated from the adjacent finger dorsum in the
plane above the peritenon to allow for grafting of the donor
site
•The flap is opened like a book cover, turned 180°, and inset
into the fingertip defect
•At 2-3 weeks the flap is divided

11. Island flap
Kite Flaps
(1st Dorsal MCA)
• Island pedicle flap proximally based on the first dorsal
metacarpal artery and veins.
• Courses over 1st dorsal interosseous muscle from the radial
artery as it courses distal to snuffbox

12. Kite flap

13. Thenar flap
• A 2 cm x 4 cm thenar flap can be harvested from the MCP
crease
• Primary closure of the donor site with thumb flexion.
• Avoid injury to the neurovascular bundles and flexor pollicis
longus tendon

14. Regional flap

15. Radial forearm flap
• Most reliable and versatile flap for upper limb reconstruction
• Based on the radial artery and the accompanying
venaecomitans.
• Advantages -provision of up to 8 x 10 cm of thin, pliable and
hairless skin and ease of harvest
• Disadvantage- radial artery is sacrificed and poor donor site
morbidity with this flap
• An Allen’s test should always be performed prior

16. Radial forearm flap

17. Posterior interosseous artery flap
• A classic fasciocutaneous flap, ideal for coverage of dorsum of
hand without compromising the two main artery of hand.
• The flap is usually designed on the emergence of the artery in
the posterior compartment of the proximal forearm.
• The limits of the flap are distally 3-4 cm above the wrist
crease, medially not to extend subcutaneous border of the
ulnar and radially not extend 3-4 cm beyond the epicondylar-
ulnar line

18. Post. interosseous artery flap

19. ELBOW AND ARM SOFT TISSUE
RECONSTRUCTION
• Lateral arm flap
• Latissimus dorsi flap

20. Lateral arm flap
• It is local pedicled fasciocutaneous flap.
• Based on the posterior radial collateral artery (PRCA) and the
septocutaneous perforators
• The flap provides the skin from the distal posterior lateral
aspect of the lateral arm, between the deltoid insertion and
the lateral epicondyle of the humerus.
• This flap provides thin, pliable skin with the donor site being
primarily closed completely or partially.

21. Lateral arm flap

22. Latissimus dorsi flap
• It is pedicled myocutaneous flap supplied by the
thoracodorsal artery and perforators. .
• Provide a large skin coverage particularly for the anterior or
posterior arm and elbow
• Has low donor site morbidity .

23. Latissimus dorsi flap

24. Free flap for the upper extremity

25. Groin flap
• Axial pattern flap
• Supplied from superficial circumflex iliac artery at the level of
the inguinal ligament
• Advantages -adequate skin thickness and minimal donor site
morbidity
• Disadvantages-short pedicle

26. Groin flap

27. Superficial inferior epigastric artery
flap
• Flap based on the superficial inferior epigastric artery
• It is based just proximal to the ipsilateral inguinal ligament
and centred on the femoral artery and vein
• This flap is useful as it provides minimal hair and thin flap

28. Scapular free flap
• This fasciocutaneous flap based on the circumflex scapular
artery
• This flap is useful because it offers the opportunity for a flap
with latissimus or serratus muscles or bone (scapula)

29. Antero lateral thigh flap
• This flap is based on the lateral femoral circumflex artery
• Commonly used in hand reconstruction.
• Advantages-provides a large skin paddle and minimal donor
site morbidity
• With the lateral femoral cutaneous nerves of the thigh it can
be used to provide innervation to the wound site

31. Criteria of flap selection
• Patient age and health
• Condition of skin defects
• Location and size of defects
• Damage of deep structure
• Cosmetic demands
• Surgeon’s technical skill

32. Postoperative flap monitoring:
• The gold standard of postoperative flap monitoring is clinical
observation. It includes:
1.Flap color
2.Capillary refilling time
3.Surface temperature monitoring
4.Blanching assesment

33. Complications:
1.seroma formation
2.hematoma formation
3.flap necrosis
4.fat necrosis
5.Donor site infection

34. Causes of flap failure:
• Poor anatomical knowledge when raising the flap(such that
the blood supply is deficient from the start)
• Flap inset with too much tension.
• Local sepsis .
• The dressing applied too tightly around the pedicle

35. THANK YOU

36. Clinical vignette

37. 1. Lateral arm free flap is based on:
A. The posterior radial collateral artery
B. The anterior radial collateral artery
C. The posterior ulnar collateral artery
D. The anterior ulnar collateral artery

39. 2. Flap acheives its 90% of circulation
A. In 72 hr
B. With in 3-7 days
C. 2 weeks
D. 3 weeks

40. Pathophysiology
chronologic changes of a flap and the recipient site after
elevation and transfer:
• After 10-24 hours - Decreased arterial supply; congestion and
edema; dilation of arterioles and capillaries
• After 1-3 days - Increased number and quality of anastomoses
between flap and recipient bed; increased number of small
vessels in pedicle
• After 3-7 days - Reorientation of vessels along the long axis of
the flap; anastomoses created at 1-3 days now functionally
significant
• After 1 week - Circulation well established between flap and
recipient bed
• After 2 weeks - Continuous maturation of anastomoses
• After 3 weeks - Flap achieves 90% of its final circulation

41. 3. According to MATHES AND NAHAI classification
radial forearm flap is
A. Type A
B. Type B
C. Type C
D. Type D

43. 4. A Z- plasty is an example of:
A. an advancement flap
B. an island pedical flap
C. a rotation flap
D. a transposition flap

44. • Z-plasty transposes two interdigitating triangular flaps without
tension to use lateral skin to produce a gain in length along
the direction of the common limb of the Z.

45. 5.Which of the following statement is true regarding
groin flap-
A. It is type of island flap
B. It is based on superficial epigastric artery
C. It has short pedicle
D. It has maximal donor site morbidity

46. Groin flap
• Axial pattern flap
• Supplied from the superficial femoral artery at the level of the
inguinal ligament
• Advantages -adequate skin thickness and minimal donor site
morbidity
• Disadvantages-short pedicle