CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND RESULT OF LOCAL FLAP RECONSTRUCTION FOR FINGERTIP INJURY IN ADULTS

Abstract

Background: Fingertip injury at different levels is a common injury and management varies with variable outcomes. Local flap reconstruction techniques are the most commonly used method of treatment with satisfactory results in most. The current study aimed to analyze the clinical characteristics and results of different local flap reconstruction techniques in the treatment of fingertip injuries. Methods: This was a retrospective observational study of 31 fingertip injuries in 24 patients treated with one of the three local flap reconstruction techniques; V-Y advancement flap, thenar flap, and Moberg flap,  performed by a single orthopedic surgeon in a tertiary care teaching hospital over 2 years period. The variables analyzed were demographic and injury characteristics, flap take-up function, and cosmesis of the finger and nail using descriptive statistics. Results: There were a total of 31 fingertip injuries at different levels and morphology with a mean age of 35.79 years (range 18-55). Household tools or machine-related injury was the most common mode of injury. A total of 23 (74%) fingertip amputations at a different level were treated with V-Y advancement local flap, 5 cases with thenar flap, and 3 cases of thumb tip amputation and laceration with Moberg flap. All the flaps survived well with preservation of sensation, function, and acceptable cosmesis. Conclusions: Local flap reconstruction techniques can give rise to consistently good results in the management of fingertip injury. They are technically simple, and reliable and should be practiced by all orthopedic trauma surgeons whenever it is indicated.