- Discussion:
- can be used for coverage of
finger tip injuries the index, long, ring, (and in some cases the little finger);
- can be used in children and young adults (esp. women)
- Advantages:
- more subcutaneous fat available than cross finger flap
- good color and texture match for pulp;
- donor site can be closed primarily (if all three sides of flap are mobilized);
- Technique:
-
outline of donor site:
- proximally flap is harvested w/ radial border made along metacarpal-phalangeal flexor crease;
- maximum flap width is about 2 cm;
- consider designing flap to be 50% wider than defect to recreate pulp;
- donor site is closed primarily or alteranatively
FTSG is applied to donor site;
- detach at two weeks;
- Complications:
- potential for joint stiffness
- limited size of flap;
- donor site tenderness;
The thenar flap - an analysis of its use in 150 cases.
CP Melone et al.
J. Hand Surg. Vol 7. p 291-297. 1982.
Thenar flap for severe finger tip injuries in children.
