UTILIZING WRIST CREASE ISLAND FLAP BASED ON THE SUPERFICIAL PALMAR BRANCH OF THE RADIAL ARTERY FOR ATHLETIC FINGER RECONSTRUCTION: A REVIEW OF TWELVE CASES

Abstract

Objective: This study evaluates the effectiveness of the wrist crease island flap based on the superficial palmar branch of the radial artery (SPBRA) in reconstructing fingers, particularly in athletes who have sustained finger pulp injuries through sports-related activities. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted on the medical records from the Department of Hand Surgery at Gansu Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, covering cases from March 2015 to March 2018. Patients who underwent finger reconstruction using the SPBRA-based wrist crease island flap were identified and their outcomes analyzed according to the severity of their injuries. Results: Twelve patients (seven males and five females, mean age 34.1 years, range 20-59 years) were included in this study. The injuries primarily resulted from sports engagements, with defect sizes ranging from 2.2×4.5 cm to 2.5×6.0 cm. Eleven of the twelve surgeries were successful, with one case experiencing a venous crisis that was resolved with conservative management. The donor sites healed primarily, and patients were followed for an average of eleven months (range 6-15 months). At the last follow-up, the average static two-point discrimination was 7 mm. Functional recovery, assessed by the Chinese Medical Association Society of Hand Surgery standards for thumb and finger reconstruction, was rated as excellent in 91.6% of cases. Conclusion: The wrist crease island flap based on the SPBRA provides an effective method for finger reconstruction, especially in athletes, facilitating quick recovery and excellent functional outcomes. This surgical technique offers a promising option for managing complex finger injuries in sports medicine.