Anastomosis to the common and proper digital vessels in free flap soft tissue reconstruction of the hand
Retrospective review published in Microsurgery (2016)
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study seeks to demonstrate the safety of anastomosing free flaps to the common or proper digital artery, and to the volar or dorsal digital vein in soft tissue reconstruction of the hand; as well, as to discuss the advantages of this technique. METHODS: Retrospective review of all patients who underwent free flap reconstruction of the hand in two institutions over a period of 5 years. RESULTS: A total of 29 free flaps (9 great toe pulp, 7 anterolateral thigh, 6 second toe pulp, 4 radial artery perforator, 2 partial medial rectus, 1 lateral arm) in 28 patients met our inclusion criteria. All recipient vessels were the proper or common digital artery and the volar or dorsal digital vein. There was one case of venous congestion that resolved with leeching. There was no partial or total loss of any of the flaps. CONCLUSION: Anastomosing soft tissue free flaps to the common or proper digital artery, and the volar or dorsal digital vein is a safe and effective approach with numerous advantages that should be considered in the reconstruction of soft tissue defects of the hand. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery, 38:21-25, 2018.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Resumen
Retrospective review of 29 free flaps for soft-tissue hand reconstruction using digital-vessel anastomosis. One venous-congestion case resolved with leech therapy; no flap losses.
Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia
This retrospective review of 29 free flaps in 28 patients for hand soft tissue reconstruction demonstrated that anastomosing flaps to common or proper digital arteries and volar or dorsal digital veins is safe, with no partial or total flap loss. One case of venous congestion resolved with leeching. This is relevant to ASH's domain as it documents leech therapy successfully used to treat venous congestion in a digital free flap, supporting the role of medicinal leeches as a salvage modality in reconstructive surgery. The honest caveat is that leeching was a minor single-instance event within a larger surgical series, no details about leeching protocol or species are provided, and the abstract's focus is on surgical anastomosis safety rather than leech therapy outcomes.
Citación
Anastomosis to the common and proper digital vessels in free flap soft tissue reconstruction of the hand.
Diaz-Abele J et al. · Microsurgery, 2016
Contexto clínico relacionado
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Añadido a la biblioteca ASH: May 27, 2026 · Última actualización del sitio: June 18, 2026