Reverse digital artery neurovascular cross-finger flap

Area of Science:

• Hand surgery
• Microsurgery
• Regenerative medicine

Background:

• Digital nerve defects and soft tissue loss in fingers present significant reconstruction challenges.
• Current reconstructive options may be limited for complex finger injuries.

Observation:

• A reverse digital artery neurovascular cross-finger flap was successfully utilized in two cases.
• The flap was harvested from the lateral proximal phalanx of an adjacent healthy finger.
• The flap incorporates a segment of the dorsal branch of the digital nerve.

Findings:

• The flap successfully reconstructed soft tissue defects while simultaneously bridging digital nerve gaps.
• Favorable functional and aesthetic outcomes were achieved in both reported cases.
• The distally based digital artery ensured flap viability.

Implications:

• The reverse digital artery neurovascular cross-finger flap represents a valuable addition to reconstructive surgical techniques.
• This method provides a potential solution for complex finger injuries involving both soft tissue and nerve deficits.
• Further studies could explore the long-term efficacy and broader applicability of this flap in hand reconstruction.