Great Toe Pulp Sensory Free Flaps for Fingertip Defects.

Kim, Huyn Su; Park, Si Hyun; Kim, Seok Kwun

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Original Article

Journal of the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons 1999;26(5):961-967.
Published online September 1, 1999.

Great Toe Pulp Sensory Free Flaps for Fingertip Defects.

Huyn Su Kim, Si Hyun Park, Seok Kwun Kim

Abstract

The finger-tip is a specially-differentiated end structure of the human body in anatomic aspect. Although it is covered with thick dermis and a heavily-cornified epithelial layer, the finger-tip represents tremendous sensory perception because of dense sensory nerve endings. This highly sensitive skin is attached to the phalangeal bone or fascia and stabilizd during grip or pinch by the fascial septa, which form compartments of fat pads in the pulp tissue. In addition to its functional aspect, the finger tip plays an important cosmetic role because it is an exposed area like the face. So, when reconstructing finger-tips, especially the thumb or radial side of the index finger, one must take into account both the functional and esthetic results. In this study, 8 cases of great toe pulp sensory free flaps for fresh amputations (n=4) and previously reconstructed wounds (n=4) are included. In previously-reconstructedcases cases, all of them complained of incomplete recovery of sensation or cosmetic dissatifaction. The fingers covered with flaps were the index finger (n=5), ring finger (n=2), and thumb (n=1). The mean size of flaps was 3 x 1.9 cm and all of the flaps survived without significant complications, except 1 case of venous insufficiency. Sensory complications, except 1 case of venous insufficiency. Sensory perception was detected within 4 months and improved gradually during the follow-up period to 10.5 mm/8 mm in static/moving two-point discrimination test. Even though, some patients complained of postoperative paresthesia including cold intolerance (37.5%), pain (25%) and hyperesthesia (12.5%), the great toe pulp sensory flap is an aesthetically superior and sensuously more satisfactory alternative to other reconstructive procedures for fingertip defects.

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