Lateral-dorsal neurovascular island flaps for pulp reconstruction

Finger pulp loss is often observed in daily practice. When the lateral and dorsal surfaces of the injured digit remain intact, a neurovascular island flap can be designed and raised from that part of the finger for pulp reconstruction. Two types of homodigital lateral-dorsal neurovascular island flaps were used in 17 patients (13 type I and 4 type II) for reconstruction of traumatic pulp loss on an emergent basis. The type I flap was used for the pulp defect less than 2.5 cm in length; the type II flap was designed for extensive pulp loss. The size of the pulp defect varied from 1.7 x 1.2 cm to 3.8 x 1.7 cm. All flaps survived completely without any partial loss. The mean follow-up was 17.7 months. The mean static two-point discrimination was 5.2 mm in type I flaps and 9.3 mm in type II flaps. All patients except five had full range of motion of the interphalangeal joint. These five patients (3 type I and 2 type II) had 10 to 20 deg reduction in flexion of the distal interphalangeal joints. The homodigital lateral-dorsal neurovascular island flap offers a durable, well-vascularized, sensate skin flap for one-stage pulp reconstruction in select patients. This technique is relatively simple, allows early postoperative mobilization, and has an acceptable surgical outcome.