Osteocutaneous Lateral Upper Arm Flap for Reconstruction of Composite Tissue Defect with Skin and Bone in a Digit : Report of 2 Cases

Abstract

We present our experience with the use of the osteocutaneous lateral upper arm flap for reconstruction of composite tissue defects with skin and bone in a digit. Bone and soft tissue defects in complex severe finger trauma can be reconstructed with vascularized bone grafts as composite osteocutaneous tissue transfer. This method was reported in cases using the toe phalanx, medial femoral condyle, or radial bones, but the skin paddles were unreliable.
Bone graft from the distal humerus gives a width of 1.5 cm and a length varying from 2 to 11 cm. This size is ideal to replace any metacarpal or phalangeal bone loss. We recommend the use of the osteocutaneous lateral upper arm flap for reconstruction of composite tissue defects with skin and bone in a digit. This method offers a single-stage compound reconstruction with a favorable donor site.