Abstract
Aim
The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the advantages of using local resources in
the coverage of such defects. Our approach in fingers’ defects is the use of local
perforator flaps, both as propeller flaps or bi-lobed pedicled flaps.
Patients and methods
After performing an anatomical study on cadaver segments injected with latex followed
by transparentation, 81 local perforator flaps in 80 patients during a period of 10
years (2007–2016), i.e. 47 digital artery propeller perforator flaps (DAPP), 10 island
transposition perforator flaps (DATP), and 24 bi-lobed pedicled perforator flaps (BLP)
were performed in our department. The patients were evaluated regarding finger mobility
(ROM), two-points discrimination (TPD), and degree of satisfaction (DS) from cosmetic
point of view.
Results
The mean interval for social and professional reintegration was 12 days. As complications,
we registered only venous congestion in 7 cases followed by epidermolysis in 4 cases
and superficial necrosis in 3 cases, which healed by reepithelialization. The range
of motion (ROM) of the reconstructed fingers was normal in all the patients. All the
flaps regain a satisfactory degree of sensibility (TPD between 4 mm and 14 mm). The
DS was relatively high, with 67 patients very satisfied, 11 satisfied, and 2 unsatisfied.
Conclusions
This fast and less invasive method, which replaces like-with-like, allows an early
and good reinervation and a rapid social and professional reintegration, proves to
be a very reliable alternative in digital defects coverage.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: October 25, 2019
Footnotes
This paper is part of a Supplement supported by the European Federation of Societies of Microsurgery (EFSM) and the Serbian Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery (SSRM).
Identification
Copyright
© 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
