Objective: To dicuss the application and therapeutic effect of middle-forearm flap based on perforator of ulnar artery for electrical burn wound on the wrist.
Methods: From Oct. 2009 to Oct. 2012, 10 cases of electrical burn wounds on the wrist were treated. A line from radialis medial epicondyle of humerus to the interior radialis pisiform bone was connected as flap axis. At the midpoint of the line, Doppler flow imaging meter was used to detect the emerging point of perforator vessel. The flap was designed and harvested. The flap was transferred reversely, with superficial vein retaining which was anastomosed with vein at recipient sites in 3 cases. The wounds in the donor sites were closed directly in 2 cases, and with skin graft in 8 cases.
Results: All the 10 flaps survived completely. 7 cases without vein anastomosis underwent obvious flap edema during 2-4 days postoperatively, which resovled 1 week later. Sub-flap tissue necrosis and infection happened in 2 cases, which healed after dressing and drainage. Patients were followed up for 3-36 months with satisfactory results.
Conclusions: The middle-forearm flap based on perforator of ulnar artery has a stable and reliable blood supply. It offers a new choice for the electric burn wound on the wrist, especially at the ulnar side.