A bilobed groin flap for coverage of traumatic injury to both the volar and dorsal hand surfaces

Abstract

Background There are many methods available for coverage of both the volar and dorsal hand surfaces in traumatic injury. All of these surgical procedures allow for ample coverage of the defect, but have the major drawback of needing multiple donor sites. In the present report, a case of a complex crush injury to the hand in which both volar and dorsal surfaces received traumatic injury is presented. A bilobed groin flap pedicled on the superficial circumflex iliac artery was fashioned to cover the entire defect. Like many other described flaps, the bilobed groin flap resulted in a favourable functional and cosmetic result for the patient, but with the unique advantage of requiring a single donor site. Methods A bipedicled groin flap was raised from distal to proximal, and the flaps inset onto both the dorsal and volar hand defects. Results The patient regained adequate function of his hand, and was able to return to work full-time as a manual labourer. Conclusion The bilobed groin flap appears to be a valuable option for covering complex hand injuries involving both the volar and dorsal surfaces of the hand.