Combined Free Toe and Free Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator Flap for Reconstruction of the Thumb and Thumb Web Space

ABSTRACT

To repair a complexly injured hand with composite loss of the thumb and the thumb web space in one stage, the combined transfer of a free second toe and a free deep inferior epigastric perforator flap was designed. It was used to simultaneously reconstruct the thumb and thumb web space of the injured hand in five cases. All flaps survived and there were no complications at any donor site after the reconstructions. In follow-up averaging 35.6 months, the final functional and cosmetic outcomes of the reconstructed thumbs and thumb web spaces were satisfactory. Results demonstrated that the combined transfer of a free second toe and a free deep inferior epigastric perforator flap is a valid method for simultaneous reconstruction of the thumb and the thumb web space of the injured hand.