Patterns of etiologies and soft tissue defects in the upper limb and use of different reconstruction modalities

Abstract

A total of 48 cases of soft tissue defects of upper limb were managed during one calendar year. This included 34 males and 14 females. Post burn complication was the most common etiology. Ten cases had machine injury while other 6 cases had household trauma. Another group of six cases had injuries during fireworks at various ceremonies. Whereas 17 cases were dealt by simple measures like healing by secondary intension, primary closure and skin grafting, 31 cases needed soft tissue coverage with various flaps. Only ten cases were dealt with the help of local flaps while rest of the 21 cases needed various regional and distant flaps.