Repair of fingertip defect with proper digital artery lateral cutaneous branch-chain flap accompanied with dorsal digital nerve or dorsal branch of proper digital nerve coaptation

• DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.issn.1005-054x.2011.02.007
• Publication Date: 2011-04-10
• Authors: Tao Sun; Peng Wei; Danya Zhou; Ruibin Hu; Xiaofeng Teng; Hong Chen
• Keywords: Digital artery; Digital nerve; Cutaneous nerve; Superficial peroneal nerve; Sensation; Sensory nerve; Proximal phalanx

Objective To explore the effect of using proper digital artery lateral cutaneous branch-chain flap with dorsal nerves or branch nerye for repairing fingertip defect.Methods From December 2008 to November 2009, 24 cases (26 digits) defect were treated flap.The was designed on side proximal phalanx injured finger its long axis running midline finger.The vascular pedicle 0.8 1.0 cm wide.The pivot point at distal 1/3 middle upon which reversed repair fingertip.The nerve included in and coapted wound reconstruct sensation finger.Results All 26 flaps survived.Postoperative follow-up period 6 8 months.All these recovered satisfying quality, excellent 4 mm two-point discrimination.ROM interphalangeal joint good.Conclusion Proper branchchain transfer coaptation is an ideal method defect.The surgery simple.Reliable blood supply can be achieved without sacrificing artery.Coaptation restores fingertip.There minor donor site damage very few complications.

Key words: Finger injuries; Surgical flaps; Dorsal branches