Tubed-Groin Flap for Coverage of Deep Burn Injuries in Two Adjacent Fingers: A Case Report

Abstract

The reconstruction of two adjacent fingers is challenging for reconstructive surgeons, especially if there is a circumferential skin and soft-tissue loss along with bone exposure. Herein, we present the case of a 22-year-old male with a circumferential defect in two adjacent fingers due to an electrical burn. The patient had a circumferential soft-tissue defect with middle phalangeal bone exposure in the left index and middle fingers, revealed after serial debridement and ostectomy. After failure of free flap reconstruction, other options were considered, and the defects were repaired using a newly designed tubed-groin flap. Afterwards, flap detachment was performed on postoperative day 21 and provisional syndactyly separation without a skin graft was performed 2 weeks after flap detachment surgery. The patient was satisfied with the well-reconstructed fingers, which demonstrated adequate length and function. A full range of motion of the metacarpophalangeal joint was restored. The newly designed tubed-groin flap can be an efficient method to easily and effectively reconstruct a circumferential defect in two adjacent fingers.