Anatomical variations of blood supply to the island flap in modified Bilhaut-Cloquet procedure for thumb duplication
Chao Kong, Jianyi Liu, Can Zhang, Jiaping Zhang, Xiaofei TianIntroduction:
The aim of this study was to report the anatomical variations in the blood supply to the island flap harvested from the radial thumb in modified Bilhaut–Cloquet procedure for thumb duplication.
Methods:
A total of 190 patients with Wassel type II–IV thumb duplication underwent the modified Bilhaut–Cloquet procedure. The blood supply to the flap was assessed and anatomical patterns were recorded based on the relative calibres of the proper digital artery and communicating branches.
Results:
Three types of blood supply were identified: fine communicating branch type (
Conclusion:
The blood supply patterns to the island flap is crucial for improving surgical outcomes and reducing complications in thumb duplication correction.
Level of evidence:
IV