Scapular Free Flap with Sensory Function

Journal of the Korean Society for Surgery of the Hand 2005;14(1):18-23.
Published online May 31, 2005.

Duke Whan Chung, M.D., Won Jun Hwang, M.D., Jun Young Park, M.D.

감각 신경을 포함한 견갑 피판술의 결과

정덕환·황원준·박준영

Abstract

Purpose: To report the results and the efficacy of the sensory bearing scapular free flap which is known as non-sensible flap.
Materials and Methods: Authors underwent 24 cases of sensory bearing scapular free flap to the hands and feet from March 1995 to November 2002. average follow-up period was six year three months. The used flaps were a ordinary scapular flap in fifteen cases, and a parascapular flap in nine. Sensibility of the flaps were checked every one month. Actual sensory evaluation was mostly depends on objective feeling of the patients. Two point discrimination test was performed in all cases.
Results: 23 flaps had good skin circulation after microvascular anastomosis among 24. Objective deep touch sensation were observed about three months later after the operation in three cases, between three and six months in nine. In three case whose results were excellent than others, two point discrimination was 2.7 cm at last follow-up. Most of the sensory recovery is confined in deep touch, temperature and light touch sensation was recovered limitedly in 3 cases during our follow-up period.
Conclusion: Authors can propose that sensory bearing free scapular flap was considered as one of useful methods for the reconstruction to hand with soft tissue defect and mutilating hand.

Key Words: Soft tissue injury, Sensory scapular free flap