TRANSFER OF INNERVATED LATISSIMUS-DORSI FREE MUSCULOCUTANEOUS FLAP FOR THE RESTORATION OF FINGER FLEXION

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.