Repair of fingertip wound with flap pedicled with lateral vascular chain of cutaneous branch of digital artery

Abstract

Objective To report efficacy of repairing fingertip wound with flap podicled with lateral vascular chain of cutaneous branch of digital artery. Methods Flap was designed according to vascular chain formed by cutaneous branches of proper palmar digital artery on lateral side of the injured finger, with its long axis running medially on lateral side of the finger. In order to protect the vascular chain, a portion of fascia with about 5.0 - 1.0 mm width should be taken together with the pedicle. Retrograde translocation of this kind of flap can be used in repairing wound on fingertips, with sensory nerve branch of the flap being anastomosad with stump of proper digital nerve. Results Ten cases of flaps all survived successfully. 6-12 months' follow up showed that all these flaps recovered with satisfying texture, grade 3+ sensation, and 8-12 mm two point discrimination. Conclusion In repairing of fingertip wound, flap pedicled with lateral vascular chain of cutaneous branch of digital artery not only has same advantages as those of digital artery flap, but also has proper digital artery and nerve being untouched. Key words: Finger; Digital artery; Surgical flap; Transplantation; Microsurgery