Subcutaneous pedicle hypothenar island flap.

The status of the blood supply to the hypothenar skin was investigated by anatomical and radiological studies. The investigation revealed that the hypothenar skin receives a rich blood supply from the arterial network by branches from the palmar ulnar artery of the little finger and the hypothenar branches. By making use of this abundance of vascular networking, a subcutaneous pedicle flap was obtained from this site. This method was clinically applied to 7 patients, and the procedures and advantages of the method are described.