Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science

Review article

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Radial artery superficial palmar branch free flap versus toe pulp free flap for finger pulp reconstruction: a narrative review: Daihun Kang; J Yeungnam Med Sci. 2025;42:56. Published online September 13, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.12701/jyms.2025.42.56

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Abstract PDF: Finger pulp reconstruction remains a challenging aspect of hand surgery and requires a careful balance between functional restoration and donor-site morbidity. Among the various microsurgical options, radial artery superficial palmar branch (RASP) and toe pulp free flaps have emerged as the two most widely used techniques, each offering distinct advantages. This narrative review comprehensively compares these two microsurgical approaches for finger pulp reconstruction. The RASP free flap harvested from the thenar region provides glabrous palmar tissue with an excellent color match, minimal donor-site morbidity, and the advantage of single-field surgery. However, it lacks the specialized architecture of native finger pulp. In contrast, the toe pulp free flap offers anatomically identical tissue with superior sensory recovery (two-point discrimination, 4–7 mm vs. 6–12 mm for the RASP free flap) and exceptional durability, representing true “like-with-like” reconstruction. Nevertheless, it requires longer operative times and carries significant donor-site morbidity, affecting gait. The selection of these techniques should be individualized based on the defect characteristics, functional demands, and patient factors. The RASP free flap is an excellent first-line option for most defects where standard functional recovery is sufficient, whereas toe pulp transfer remains the gold standard for patients requiring maximal sensory discrimination. Future research should prioritize high-quality comparative studies to evaluate the outcomes of various finger pulp reconstruction techniques.

Case Report

Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
Successful transradial intervention via a radial recurrent artery branch from the radioulnar alpha loop using a sheathless guiding catheter: Shin-Eui Yoon, Sangwook Park, Sung Gyun Ahn; Yeungnam Univ J Med. 2018;35(1):94-98. Published online June 30, 2018; DOI: https://doi.org/10.12701/yujm.2018.35.1.94

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2 Crossref

The radial artery is generally the preferred access route in coronary angiography and coronary intervention. However, small size, spasm, and anatomical variations concerning the radial artery are major limitations of transradial coronary intervention (TRI). We describe a successful case involving a patient with coronary artery disease who underwent TRI via a well-developed radial recurrent artery branch from the radioulnar alpha loop using a sheathless guiding catheter.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Safety profile of trans-radial approach (TRA) in patients with radial artery loop in neurointervention: retrospective analysis of a TRA-dedicated neurovascular center experience over 4 years
Wei Cao, Rongguo Hu, Si Zhao Tang, Dandan Jia, Deyuan Zhu, Dayong Qi, Kangqing Zhang, Tonghui Song, Yibin Fang
Journal of Clinical Neuroscience.2025; 139: 111400. CrossRef
Minimizing Guidewire Unwilling Passage and Related Perforation During Transradial Procedures: Prevention Is Better Than Cure
Lili Xu, Jiatian Cao, Meng Zhang, Hongbo Yang, Zheyong Huang, Yanan Song, Chenguang Li, Yuxiang Dai, Kang Yao, Xiangfei Wang, Feng Zhang, Juying Qian, Junbo Ge
Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine.2022;[Epub] CrossRef

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