Fundamentals of Soft Tissue Coverage of the Hand

Soft tissue defects in the hand are alterations usually secondary to trauma. The need for coverage is crucial, due to the exposure of osteotendinous and vasculonervous structures. There is no ideal coverage, the defect can be covered with more than one reconstructive option, and this will be dictated by the magnitude of the defect, the characteristics and comorbidities of the patient, the experience and skill of the surgeon, making the choice of the right flap for the right patient a sometimes complicated task. The vascular anatomy of the region will play a crucial role in decision making, and in this chapter, we will review reconstructive options from the simplest to the most complex.