Use of the First Dorsal Metacarpal Artery Flap in Finger Defects – Case Series

Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the versatility of the use of FDMA flaps in soft tissue defects in
the fingers.
Patients and methods: Patients who underwent reconstruction due to soft tissue defect in the upper
extremity between May 2018 and May 2021 were scanned over the file. Among these patients, patients
who had a finger defect and were reconstructed with the first dorsal metacarpal artery flap were included
in the study .
Results: 12 patients were included in the study. The etiology of the defect was trauma in all patients.
Tunneling technique was used in 5 patients for flap adaptation. No patient experienced total flap or graft
loss. Age, gender, comorbidity, defect localization, defect size and operation time were examined in terms
of complications. No statistically significant difference was detected. Smokers and non-smokers were
examined, no statistically significant difference was found. The use of tunnel for flap adaptation did not
make a statistically significant dif ference in terms of complications.
Conclusion: First dorsal metacarpal artery flap is a very reliable option for defects in the 1st and 3rd
fingers. If the tunnel technique is used, it should be ensured that the tunnel width is suf ficient.