The double-pedicled dorsal-metacarpal-artery (dpDMCA) flap of the hand: a novel DMCA-derived flap

Abstract

The dorsal-metacarpal-artery (DMCA) flap in its standard or extended version is considered as the working horse to cover dorsal soft tissue finger defects with exposed extensor tendon or bone. We hereby present a clinical case of an 80-year-old male patient who is right-handed and sustained a soft tissue defect of the proximal dorsal aspect of his left 5th finger and the postoperative outcome employing a modified transposition flap. The double-pedicled DMCA flap (dpDMCA flap) of the hand poses in adequate clinical scenarios a comparably fast and safe solution to cover dorsal finger defects extending just distal to the PIP joint. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a DMCA-based flap with a double pedicle to cover soft tissue defects at the dorsum of the hand. Level of Evidence: Level V, therapeutic study.