Cross-finger Flap on Electrical Ring Burn Injury: A Case Report

The wearing of finger rings is cultural and widespread in Senegal, which explains why injuries caused by them can affect any finger. Although burn injuries are less common, they can still cause finger disability. Their management is challenging for any surgeon as the functional prognosis is at stake.

A 25-year-old female patient was referred from a health center for a deep electrical burn of the middle finger of the left hand 21 days after the injury. Clinically, she had a dark circumferential necrotic plaque at the base of the left middle finger with a swollen extremity. The exposure of the flexor tendon prompted the indication for a flap using the cross-finger technique. In the post-operative period, the flap had settled well after flap division 3 weeks later. Sensitivity was normal. The finger extension was complete.

The cross-finger technique on an exposed tendon after a circumferential electrical burn injury can be a salvage solution given that these types of burns often result.