[Reestablishment of sensation in the distal phalanges using innervated flaps or grafts]

The authors describe a full thickness skin graft taken with its cutaneous nerve for the coverage of skin defects in the area of the distal phalanx for defects involving the pulp. The defect was covered by a cross-finger flap; its collateral nerve was raised with it and then anastomosed with the injured digit's nerve, using the operating microscope. Either of the above methods permitted improved sensory return.