Original ArticleNo Access

A Prospective Trial Comparing Outcomes at 11 Months of a Standard Cross-Finger Flap versus a Laterally Based Thenar Flap for Fingertip Reconstruction

Sourabh Shankar CHAKRABORTY

Department of Plastic Surgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India

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Pawan Kumar DIXIT

Department of Plastic Surgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India

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Prakash Chandra KALA

Department of Plastic Surgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India

E-mail Address: drpckala@gmail.com

Correspondence to: Prakash Chandra Kala, Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences Room No 403, OPD Building, Jodhpur, Rajasthan 342005, India. Tel: +91 8460952204.

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Ranjit Kumar SAHU

Department of Plastic Surgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Sijua, Patrapada, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India

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Deepti KATROLIA

Department of Plastic Surgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India

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, and

Suresh K

Department of Plastic Surgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India

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https://doi.org/10.1142/S2424835522500187Cited by:2 (Source: Crossref)

Abstract

Background: The standard cross-finger flap (CFF) and laterally based thenar flap (LTF) are the time-tested modalities of fingertip reconstruction. We were unable to find any studies that have compared these two flaps for fingertip reconstruction. The aim of this study is compare the outcomes of these two flaps at 11 months after fingertip reconstruction.

Methods: This is a prospective study of 40 patients with fingertip amputation who underwent reconstruction with either a standard CFF or an LTF. Data with regards to the patient, the injury, treatment and complications were recorded. Patients were followed up weekly for the first 6 weeks and at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months thereafter. Outcome measures assessed at final follow-up included passive range of motion, two-point discrimination, cold intolerance, patient aesthetic satisfaction with the flap, assessment of donor scar and psychosocial benefit.

Results: Fingertip reconstruction was done with 23 CFFs and 17 thenar flaps. Partial necrosis was noted in three thenar flaps. The mean follow-up period was 11 months. The sensory recovery and aesthetic satisfaction with the flap were greater in thenar flap group. There were no differences between the two flaps in the other outcome measures.

Conclusions: Sensory recovery and aesthetic outcomes were better in thenar flaps compared to a CFF. However, thenar flap were associated with a greater incidence of partial flap loss.

Level of Evidence: Level III (Therapeutic)

Keywords:

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