• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.56-63
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• 1999

We report two patients whose acute soft tissue and tendon defects in the hand were treated by the dorsalis pedis tendocutaneous delayed arterialized venous flap between 1994 and 1997. The surviving surface area was 100% in both patients. The flap size was $10{\times}10cm\;and\;6{\times}6cm$. At two weeks postoperatively, active flextion and passive extension commenced, and progressive resistance exercises were performed for an additional 5 weeks. Flaps showed a similar color match and skin texture compared with the normal skin of the hand. Advantages of the tendocutaneous delayed arterialized venous flap are developing a larger flap than can be obtained with pure venous flap or arterialized venous flap, increasing survival rate of the arterialized venous flap which permits using a composite flap, preservation of main artery of the donor site, taking thin non-bulky tissue and easy elevation without deep dissection. The disadvantages are the requirement of a two stage operation, donor site scarring and weak extension of the toe.