The Use of Composite Bone and Nail Bed Graft Combined With Cutaneous Flaps for Reconstruction of Finger Tip Amputations

Summary

Fingertip injuries are among the most common hand injuries regardless of age, as the fingertip is a prominent and frequently used part of the hand. However, no consensus yet exists regarding the ideal reconstruction of fingertip injuries with nail bed defects, and its reconstructive methods are limited.

Allen has classified fingertip amputations into four types. Type I injuries involve only the pulp of the finger. Type II includes pulp and nail loss. Type III has partial terminal phalanx loss and corresponding pulp and nail loss. Finally, type IV involves the lunule of the nail, pulp, nail, and partial loss of the terminal phalanx.

Fingertip amputations through the proximal half of the nail-bed are challenging as the remaining nail-bed has inadequate length for satisfactory nail growth. Replantation at this level gives a good functional and cosmetic results but is technically demanding, requires microsurgical skills and adequate facilities and is not always possible.When replantation is not possible, the use of a local advancement palmar flap preserves digital length and the remaining nail bed.

However, when the amputation is through the proximal third of the nail, this technique leaves very little nail bed and nail deformities are common.To avoid these deformities, complete ablation of the nail bed and germinal matrix with closure by a palmar advancement flap, or by shortening, are usually carried out. Unfortunately, these treatments often fail to satisfy the patient's desire to retain his or her nail.

When replantation is not feasible, the technique of advancing a palmar V-Y flap and applying the nail bed retrieved from the amputated part to the dorsum of the flap provides an alternative means of restoring nail bed length. So the technique of using composite bone and nail bed graft from the amputated part with a local or regional cutaneous flaps may be an option for treatment of fresh fingertip amputation to restore the shape and preserve the length of the fingertip especially in circumstances when microsurgical replantation is not feasible.

Conditions

• Finger Tip Amputations

Interventions

PROCEDURE

The Use of Composite Bone and Nail Bed Graft Combined With Cutaneous Flaps for Reconstruction of Finger Tip Amputations

1. The amputated finger tip is cleaned and a composite graft including the nail bed and bone of distal phalanx is taken from the amputated part. 2. The bone of the amputated part is fixed to the remaining stump of the distal phalanx with an axial 21gauge needle or by a K-wire (0.8 mm). 3. The nail bed graft is sutured with 6-0 vicryl to the remaining nail bed. 4. A local or regional cutaneous flap is used to cover the volar aspect and tip of the distal phalanx bone e.g. V-Y advancement flap, thenar flap or cross finger flap .The flap should protrude beyond the tip, providing extra skin which is recontoured to a rounded tip. 5. The nail plate is inserted in the nail fold to prevent the formation of synechiae between the nail fold and the injured nail bed. 6. The finger is immobilized for two weeks in a below elbow dorsal slab. 7. Patients are followed up for 3 months. Postoperative complications and their management will be recorded.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Sohag University

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

NA

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

SINGLE_GROUP

Eligibility

Min Age

5 Years

Max Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2023-07-10

Primary Completion

2024-06-10

Completion

2024-06-10

Countries

• Egypt

Study Locations