PEDICLE FLAPS FOR COVERAGE OF THE WRIST AND HAND

The coverage of wounds about the hand and wrist may be accomplished by numerous pedicled flaps. Attention must be given to preservation of t he perforating arteries that supply these fasciocutaneous flaps. Diffi culties with wound healing over the area of flap harvest may occur and care must be given to preservation of the peritenon in the distal for earm. The use of fascial flaps may allow coverage that is quite pliabl e and the radial forearm fascial flap may be performed with preservati on of the radial artery. in some cases, the use of a groin flap may be required for coverage of large wounds that do not have arteries avail able for sacrifice.