[Boomerang flap. A true single-stage pedicled cross finger flap]

The indications for cover of long fingers have been considerably modified over recent years as a result of the concept of retrograde flow flaps. However, in some cases in which the dorsal digital networks cannot be used, cross-finger flaps are still indicated for cover of long fingers beyond the PIP joint. The authors present a new flap eliminating the need for this rather complicated procedure. The donor site takes advantage of the rich dorsal collateral arterial network of P1 of an adjacent healthy finger. The flap can be raised due to the constant existence of a bifurcation between the collateral dorsal digital arterial networks and the anastomoses situated at various levels between the dorsal and palmar collateral networks of the long fingers, which are constant as far as the PIP joint. A dorsolateral flap can therefore be raised from a healthy finger and transferred to the injured finger by raising the fatty connective tissue, including the dorsal collateral pedicles, in the shape of a boomerang. This flap covers distal defects from the PIP joint to the fingertip. The authors describe the anatomical basis for raising of the flap, the operative technique and report six clinical cases with a mean follow-up of 11 months.