Kj. Favero et al., TRANSFER OF INNERVATED LATISSIMUS-DORSI FREE MUSCULOCUTANEOUS FLAP FOR THE RESTORATION OF FINGER FLEXION, The Journal of hand surgery, 18A(3), 1993, pp. 535-540
Transfer of functioning free muscle for the restoration of finger flex
ion is an uncommon procedure. We present our experience with five pati
ents with severe forearm injuries in whom a latissimus dorsi musculocu
taneous free tissue transfer was performed in an attempt to provide so
ft tissue coverage and active digital flexion. Four patients had activ
e finger flexion with volitional control of the transferred muscle bet
ween the tenth and the fifteenth weeks. On average, active flexion lag
s were 2.0 cm in the index finger, 2.1 cm in the long finger, 2.3 cm i
n the ring finger, and 1.4 cm in the small finger. Although preoperati
ve grip strength was doubled, postoperative strength was still only ab
out 31% of that on the opposite side. All patients required at least o
ne tenomyolysis or revision tenorrhaphy before the best clinical outco
me was achieved.