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Composite grafting for pediatric fingertip injuries
Kyle R Eberlin1, Kathleen Busa2, Donald S Bae3
1Division of Plastic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA.
Hand (New York, N.Y.)
|March 14, 2015
Summary
Composite grafting for pediatric fingertip injuries shows low complete take rates. However, most young patients achieve partial graft success, often avoiding further reconstructive surgery.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric surgery
- Hand surgery
- Regenerative medicine
Background:
- Fingertip injuries are prevalent in children.
- Composite grafting is a common treatment for pediatric distal amputations.
- This study evaluates early clinical outcomes of composite grafting for pediatric fingertip injuries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the early clinical results of composite grafting for fingertip injuries in pediatric patients.
- To determine graft viability and the need for secondary procedures.
- To analyze the influence of age on graft take.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 39 pediatric patients (≤18 years) undergoing fingertip composite grafting.
- Injuries were distal to the distal interphalangeal or thumb interphalangeal joint.
- Graft viability (no, partial, complete take), secondary procedures, and follow-up data were recorded.
Main Results:
- Mean age was 5.9 years; 61.5% were male.
- Graft take rates: 33.3% no take, 59.0% partial take, 7.7% complete take.
- Only 10% required secondary revision; age did not significantly impact graft take.
Conclusions:
- Complete graft take is uncommon in pediatric fingertip composite grafting.
- Most pediatric patients experience partial graft take, often without needing further surgery.
- Composite grafting can yield acceptable functional outcomes despite variable viability.
