Abstract: Objective To explore the effect of cutaneous never anastomosis on sensory recovery in repairing wide spreadly soft tissue defects in dorsal hand with free anterolateral femoral flap. Methods The cases with wide spreadly soft tissue defects in dorsal hand repaired with free anterolateral femoral flap from January 2006 to December 2012 were divided into 2 groups. The control group including 15 consecutive patients from January 2006 to January 2009, whose sensation was reconstructed in routine way. Other 15 consecutive patients from Febnary 2009 to December 2012 were as research group, whose sensation was reconstructed with the suture of cutaneous nevers of anterolateral femoral flaps and forearm. All the patients were followed up for 12~24 months. Results All the free flaps survived in both groups. There were 4 cases good of sensory recovery in the control group, and it was 11 in the research group. No ulceration happened. Conclusion Cutaneous never anastomosis may result in satisfactory sensory function in the patients with wide spreadly soft tissue descts in dorsal hand repaired with free anterolateral femoral flap.

Key words: dorsal hand, trauma, flaps, cutaneous never anastomosis, sensory reconstruction