Case report: Severe index finger open fracture. Surgical rescue with homodigital vascularized adipofascial reverse flap

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Hand trauma has a high incidence worldwide, it accounts nearly 30% of all trauma and medical visits to emergency rooms, fingertip injuries are the most common among hand trauma. The initial management and the proper choice of treatment are important, the main objective is to achieve adequate tissue coverage, in order to avoid unnecessary amputation, prevent complications and functionality loss. CASE REPORT: A 32-year-old male patient presented with crush trauma on right hand resulting in injuries with tissue loss on the fingertips of the second and third finger and traumatic partial amputation of the distal phalanx of the second finger. EVOLUTION: Surgical technique of homodigital vascularized adipofascial reverse flap was performed in second finger and the fracture was managed conservatively, without complications. A weekly follow up was carried out for 2 months with favorable functional, biological and aesthetic results. The third finger was treated with surgical irrigation and debridement and placement of a sub-occlusive bandage, with favorable outcome. CONCLUSION: Homodigital adipofascial reverse dorsal flap has advantages over other types of conventional flaps; it is a simpler, safe and reliable technique, with good postsurgical outcomes in terms of functionality, aesthetics and recovery, needing only one intervention and offering the appropriate coverage to exposed bone and soft tissue, with minimal repercussions on the donor site.