Highlights
- •Offer one-stage producer for multi-digital pulp defects with sensate flaps without any amputation.
- •As a vigorous donor with great potential, the foot may provide a desirable tissue reserve for covering the digital lesions where sensitivity and thinned skin are required with proper bulkiness and allows for easy dissection. The sensate flap from the foot is a remarkable alternative for digital pulp reconstruction with less morbidity and better outcomes;.
- •The one-staged reconstruction is potentially superior method as it minimizes scarring and reduces recovery period, especially if it allows early mobilization, the functional results in pulp reconstruction would be achieved;.
- •The foot performed a better esthetic outcome with an inconspicuous site.
Abstract
Background
The reconstruction of the digital pulp defects was a mix of the sensation, function,
and aesthetics. As the conventional flaps became out of date, the sensate flaps were
increasingly utilized in covering such defects. In this report, we present our experience
with some novel flaps design, located on the foot.
Method
From April 2015 to September 2018, nine patients received the free sensate flaps to
resurface soft tissue defects in the multi-digital pulps. And all flaps were harvested
from each aspect of the foot, which dimensions were tailored to the defects. The cutaneous
nerve was preserved within the flap. Standardized assessment of outcome in terms of
sensory, functional, and esthetic scores of the reconstructed pulps was completed.
Results
Nineteen flaps survived completely without significant complications, and mild venous
congestion was observed in one flap. The free sensate flaps were performed for digital
pulp reconstruction in 9 patients: 6 male and 3 female patients with a mean age of
49 years (ranged, 16 to 72 years). The defects involved 3 thumbs, 6 index fingers,
5 long fingers, 3 ring fingers, and 2 little fingers. All flaps were available for
a mean follow-up of 30 months (ranged, 24 to 36 months). The functional and esthetic
outcomes were satisfied for all flaps, as well as the sensory restoration.
Conclusion
The sensate flap from the foot is a remarkable alternative for digital pulp reconstruction
with less morbidity and better outcomes. Furthermore, the foot region presents a sensitive,
glabrous skin with the proper bulkiness and allows for easy dissection.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: December 31, 2021
Accepted:
December 28,
2021
Identification
Copyright
© 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
