ANATOMICAL BASIS FOR A FASCIOCUTANEOUS FLAP FROM THE HYPOTHENAR EMINENCE OF THE HAND

Thirty-two fresh cadaver hands were perfused with a silicone rubber co mpound (Microfil) and dissected to explore the vascular and neural ana tomy of the hypothenar eminence, in order to assess the possibility fo r free or pedicled island flaps from this area. In five specimens Micr ofil was selectively injected into the ulnar palmar digital artery of the little finger to determine the skin territory nourished by this ar tery. The hypothenar eminence was divided into three territories accor ding to the type of nutrient artery supplying each territory. Among th e three territories, the distal half of the ulnar aspect of the hypoth enar eminence (approximately 3 x 2 cm), located over the abductor and flexor digiti minimi muscles, had a constant vascular and neural suppl y from the ulnar palmar digital artery of the little finger and the do rsal or palmar cutaneous branch of the ulnar nerve. This fasciocutaneo us area provides a new and feasible donor site for free or pedicled is land skin flaps to repair palmar skin defects of the fingers.