Management of Finger Tip Injuries using Local and Distant Flaps - An Institutional Experience

Aravind L. Rao; Sriranjani Srivatsa; K.V. Rajeshwara

Volume : VIII, Issue : XI, November - 2019

Management of Finger Tip Injuries using Local and Distant Flaps - An Institutional Experience

Aravind L. Rao, Sriranjani Srivatsa, K. V. Rajeshwara

Abstract :

Introduction: While considering hand injuries , the most common portion of the hand involved is the finger tip. While Indian Statistics are lacking , studies from the United states have shown that nearly 4.8 million individuals sustain fingertip injuries every year. The number , may be , postulated to be higher in the Indian scenario. In this article , we elucidate different methods of flap cover for these injuries , that we have used over a period of one year at our institute. Methods: In the time period between August 2018 and August 2019 , patients with fingertip injuries who underwent flap cover ( and were willing to participate in the study ) , without significant other systems injuries were enrolled in the study. Results: Most cases ( 25/50 ) were treated with a cross finger flap , while 14 were treated with an abdominal or groin flap , 7 patients underwent V–Y plasty , 4 required more nuanced approaches. Most of the patients had an outcome characterised as �Good� (39 patients) , 8 patients had a �Fair� outcome and only 3 patients had a � poor � outcome , likely attributable to the initial severity of injury. Conclusion: Fingertip injuries are common and the modalities of treatment numerous . Treatment ranges from simple primary closure to complex flap reconstruction . The literature is awash with numerous methods for flap reconstruction . However , our institutional experience illustrates that barring a few special circumstances , most cases can be treated by one of the above mentioned flaps.