Soft Tissue Reconstruction of Upper Limb Injuries in Southwestern Nigeria: Methods and Outcome

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Upper limb injuries requiring soft tissue coverage are common in our environment. These reconstructions provide protection for vital structures and enable tendon gliding. Despite the frequency of these, there is a lack of data on the scope of soft tissue reconstruction and outcomes in our subregion. Objectives: To demonstrate the scope and outcome of soft tissue reconstruction of upper limb injuries, we conducted a study at a major plastic surgery service in Southwestern Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional analytic approach, focusing on all patients with upper limb injuries requiring soft tissue reconstruction between April 2022 and March 2023. Results: During the study period, a total of 49 patients underwent soft tissue reconstruction for upper limb injuries, with a mean age of 36.4 ± 11.3 years. The majority were male ( n = 40, 81.6%). The methods of reconstruction included flaps (51%, n = 25) of cases, direct closure (36.7%, n = 18), and skin grafting (12.3%, n = 6). Among flap options, local flaps were utilized in 48% ( n = 12), regional flaps in 32% ( n = 8), and distant flaps in 20% ( n = 5). The median time from injury to surgery, surgery to discharge, and length of hospital stay are 6 days, 6 days, and 13 days, respectively. Patients undergoing local flaps had a shorter injury-to-surgery time compared to those receiving regional and distant flaps ( P = 0.026). Patients undergoing skin grafting, regional flaps, and distant flaps experienced longer hospital stays compared to those with direct closure and local flaps ( P = 0.000). The in-patient complication rate was 14.3%. Conclusions: The methods of soft tissue reconstruction for upper limb injuries in our institution include flaps, skin grafting, and direct closure.