OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical efficacy of carpal branch of ulnar artery skin flap and dorsal carpal branch of anterior interosseous artery skin flap in replantation of complicated severed hand.

METHODSFrom August 1999 to October 2005, 18 patients with complicated severed hands were treated in our department. According to the skin defect of severed hand, the palm of the hand was restored with upper carpal branch of ulnar artery skin flap (2-4 cm x 3-6 cm), followed by restoration of the back of the hand with dorsal carpal branch of anterior interosseous artery skin flap (4-6 cm x 5-8 cm) and replantation of the hand was performed simultaneously.

RESULTSAll the replanted hands and the skip flaps survived after the surgery with satisfactory shape and function. The surgery achieved an over 70% recovery of the hand function in all cases.

CONCLUSIONSFor complicated severed hands, upper carpal branch of the ulnar artery skin flap and dorsal carpal branch of the anterior interosseous artery skin flap are effective to repair the skin defect, and this procedure provides a good option for reconstructing shape and function of the severed hands.