OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility and effect of different types of axial pattern flaps in repairing soft tissue defects of the fingers.

METHODSFive types of axial pattern flaps were used to repair soft tissue defects of the fingers of 30 patients admitted to the Second Hospital of Shaoxing Municipality from 2005 to 2010, including distally-based dorsal thumb neurocutaneous vascular flaps in 4 cases, free flaps from the fibular side of the great toe in 6 cases, modified retrograde dorsal metacarpal artery flaps in 8 cases, free flaps based on the radial dorsal septum muscular perforator of the posterior interosseous artery in 6 cases, and free posterior interosseous artery flaps carrying a long segment of the posterior interosseous artery in 6 cases. The flap size ranged from 2.5 cm × 2.0 cm to 8.0 cm × 3.0 cm. The donor sites were sutured directly or covered with skin graft. The condition of flaps was observed. The local feeling, function, and appearance of affected hands were followed up.

RESULTSTwenty-seven flaps grew well without infection. Partial necrosis at the distal portion in two flaps and venous congestion in 1 flap were observed after surgery, and they were healed with suitable treatment. Eighteen patients were followed up for 1 to 12 months. The flaps were found to have good color, texture, and thickness. Satisfactory appearance and function both in the donor sites and in the recipient areas were found in most patients. The sense of two-point discrimination of repaired fingers ranged from 5 to 9 mm.

CONCLUSIONSOptimizing the repair method for soft tissue defects in the fingers by taking both the characteristics of various axial pattern flaps and the specific conditions of soft tissue defects into account can achieve expected effect.