From Mitten Hand to Five Individual Fingers: One-Stage Coverage Using a Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator Free Flap for an Extensive Degloving Hand Injury

Abstract

Abstract Coverage of hands with degloving injuries is currently being investigated, but it typically involves combinations of free flap operations to cover wide dimensions. In this study, the deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap was successfully used to salvage a severely injured hand. After performing an open wound coverage with a flap operation, we did several minimal division operations under local anesthesia, which is a logical surgical option when the patient suffers from general deterioration immediately following significant trauma. We believe that this application of DIEP flap allows for a shorter operation time, decreased rates of infection for one-step coverage, and a higher chance of functional digit division compared with conventional methods.