Reconstruction of cutaneous dorsal finger defects.

Abstract

Reconstruction of surgical defects on the dorsal finger can be challenging because of a lack of adjacent tissue reservoirs, poor laxity, and often thin, atrophic skin surrounding the defect. To present reconstructive options for cutaneous dorsal finger defects. We describe our five preferred approaches to reconstructing cutaneous dorsal finger defects based on the amount of available underlying tissue and location of the defect on the finger. In the authors' opinion, for smaller defects between and including the metacarpophalangeal joint extending to the proximal interphalangeal joint, a transposition flap or unilateral advancement flap is preferable. For proximal finger defects that are wider, a unilateral rotation flap is appropriate. A Burow full-thickness skin graft can be used for any proximal defect with underlying soft tissue present. For defects with underlying bone or tendon present, a reverse cross-finger interpolation flap can be utilized. The unilateral advancement flap, unilateral rotation flap, transposition flap, full-thickness skin grafts, or the reverse cross-finger interpolation flap can be used to reconstruct the majority of cutaneous dorsal finger defects.