ANALYSIS OF CROSS FINGER FLAP AND NEUROVASCULAR ISLAND FLAP COVER FOR VOLAR THUMB DEFECTS

Abstract

AIM  To compare and study the functional , sensory and aesthetic outcomes of thumb injuries with volar soft tissue defects managed with neurovascular island flap and cross finger flap. MATERIALS AND METHODS  It is a retrospective study of patients treated for acute thumb injuries with volar soft tissue defects by neurovascular Island flap and cross finger flap, in the period of January 2021- August 2022.  Follow up period- four months to one and half years.  Functional movement of thumb and donor finger assessed.
 For sensory outcome static and moving two point discrimination were assessed.  Colour match, subjective aesthetic acceptance were assessed.
RESULTS  Total number of patients- 41, Neurovascular Island group- 18, Cross finger flap- 23  All flaps settled well.  Two point discrimination of both neurovascular Island flap and cross finger flap were comparable, Sensory reorientation of neurovascular island
flap in 4 patients were not complete by one year and dual in 4 patients.  Aesthetic acceptance was more with neurovascular Island flap group.
CONCLUSIONS  Both functional and sensory outcomes were comparable.  Cross finger flap group patients returned to work earlier and had fewer complications.  Our study population mostly comprises of manual labourers and hence cross finger flap is a preferable option to cover volar thumb soft tissue defects.