Soft tissue reconstruction following tumor resection in the hand.

Overview

With advances in diagnosis, staging, imaging, and adjuvant chemo- and radiotherapy,upper limb salvage surgery has become a realistic option for upper limb malignancies. Following an adequate and complete resection, reconstruction of ensuing defects consequently has become an area of increasing importance. Many options are available,including primary closure, skin grafting, local soft tissue flaps, regional pedicle and island flaps, free tissue transfer, composite free tissue transfer, allografts, endoprostheses,and tendon, nerve, or arterial grafting. Form, function, and cosmetic outcome influence surgical decision making, as do characteristics of the patient, tumor, and involved site.