Free 'mini' groin flap for digital resurfacing.

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Microsurgery
• Hand Surgery

Background:

• Traumatic injuries to digits often result in significant skin and soft tissue loss.
• Reconstructive options for digital defects require careful consideration of defect size, location, and tissue quality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of free 'mini' groin flaps for resurfacing post-traumatic skin and soft tissue defects of the digits.

Main Methods:

• Ten patients with digital defects (dorsal, palmar, circumferential, multiple) underwent resurfacing with free groin flaps.
• A two-team approach was utilized for flap harvesting from the contralateral groin.
• Postoperative physiotherapy was initiated within 48-72 hours.

Main Results:

• No flap losses were recorded in any of the ten cases.
• The average flap size was 5.5 x 4.75 cm with a mean operating time of 2.45 hours.
• Six patients reported satisfactory cosmetic outcomes without the need for further debulking.

Conclusions:

• Free groin flaps are a reliable option for digital resurfacing, particularly for moderate to large dorsal defects, proximal volar defects, circumferential skin loss, and multiple digit injuries.
• This technique offers a viable solution for complex digital reconstructions with good functional and cosmetic potential.