Open Access
CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · J Reconstr Microsurg Open 2021; 06(01): e51-e56
DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1729954
Case Report

Epimysial Transposition Flap: A Novel Technique for Coverage of Exposed Tendon after Tissue Transfer

Nicholas F. Lombana
1   Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Baylor-Scott and White, Temple, Texas
,
Reuben A. Falola
1   Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Baylor-Scott and White, Temple, Texas
,
Michael Scott
1   Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Baylor-Scott and White, Temple, Texas
,
Michel H. Saint-Cyr
1   Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Baylor-Scott and White, Temple, Texas
› Institutsangaben
Preview

Abstract

Background The radial forearm flap (RFF) is a versatile flap that can be used for soft-tissue coverage or as a source of vascularized bone during reconstruction. A problem that can arise after RFF harvest is tendon exposure in the donor site, which may lead to tendon injury and restriction of the hand and wrist’s range of motion. Many different methods for providing adequate tendon coverage in the donor site after RFF harvest have been reported. We present a novel technique for coverage of exposed tendon in the volar forearm with an epimysial transposition flap and a split-thickness skin graft (STSG).

Methods Retrospective review of two cases: one salvage case with exposed tendon after harvesting an RFF and another with exposed volar forearm tendon after traumatic injuries. Variables of interest were post-operative STSG integration and hand/wrist range of motion.

Results Both cases demonstrated 100% graft take at 5-week follow-up. No decrease in hand/wrist range of motion in the patient that could undergo testing.

Conclusion We introduce two cases for coverage of exposed flexor tendon in the volar forearm with an epimysial transposition flap. This can be used as a salvage operation for coverage of exposed tendon or as an acute method of tendon coverage prior to skin grafting. In both cases, the skin graft had excellent incorporation.



Publikationsverlauf

Eingereicht: 17. Juli 2020

Angenommen: 27. Januar 2021

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
29. Juni 2021

© 2021. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.
333 Seventh Avenue, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10001, USA