Abstract: Objective   To explore the surgical method and clinical effect of repairing the finger C-shape soft tissue defect by free transverse wrist crease flap with preserved cutaneous nerve. Methods   6 patients with finger C-shape soft tissue defect were repaired with free transverse wrist crease flap with preserved cutaneous nerve in the department between March 2019 and January 2021.The skin flap was cut with an area of 1.8cm×2.6cm3.5cm×4.8cm,and the donor site wound was directly sutured.The defect of palmar digital nerve was repaired by superficial palmar branch of radial nerve and the postoperative recovery status of recipient site and donor site were observed. Results   All flaps survived in 6 cases after surgery,and the donor site of the flap and the wound healed in primary stage without muscle adhesion and vascular crisis.All patients were followed up for 6 to 12 months,with an average of 8 months.Follow-up showed that the skin flaps of patients were with normal color,no obvious pigmentation,soft texture,good appearance and protective sensory recovery.There was only a linear scar left in the wrist donor site,and the wrist function was not affected.The sensory function of the affected finger recovered,the finger body was not atrophied,the flexion and extension function of the finger joint returned to normal,and the activity was free.According to the trial standard of upper limb function evaluation of Chinese Medical Association,there were 4 excellent cases,1 good case and 1 fair case. Conclusion Free transverse wrist crease flap with preserved cutaneous nerve is an ideal method on repairing finger C-shape soft tissue defect,and its design and incision of the flap are flexible and simple,which is beneficial to the revascularization and sensory function recovery of finger C-shape soft tissue defect site.

Key words: cutaneous nerve, transverse wrist crease flap, ffinger C-shape soft tissue defect, surgery