ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the feasibility and efficacy of using the propeller flaps based on the terminal dorsal branch of proper palmar digital arteries for fingertip reconstruction.Methods From September,2013 to September,2016,25 fingers (25 patients) underwent fingertip reconstruction by using propeller flaps pedicled with the terminal dorsal branch of digital arteries.There were 18 males and 7 females with mean age of 33 years.The injured fingers requiring reconstruction included 13 index,6 middle,5 ring and 1 little fingers.The size of the propeller flaps:small paddles were 0.6 cm×0.4 cm-2.1 cm×0.4 cm;big paddles were 3.0 cm×1.3 cm-5.5 cm ×2.0 cm.The donor sites were closed directly in 16 cases,and skin graft appiled in 9 cases.Results Twenty-three cases fingertip defects were successfully reconstructed with this flap.One case of flap necrosis occurred,requiring secondary revision using a cross-finger flap.Donor sites healed without any complication.The mean follow-up period was 11.5 months (range:7-29 months).Fingers restored good shape and function.At 6 months after surgery,the 2-point discrimination value was 6.5 mm (range,6-10 mm).In 2 cases,protective sensation was successfully restored.The postoperative extension and flexion function was evaluated by the total active movement (TAM) system of finger joints:excellent in 20 fingers,good in 4 fingers and fair in 1 finger.The excellent and good rate was 96％.Conclusion The propeller flap based on the terminal dorsal branch of the proper palmar digital arteries to repair fingertip defect has advantages of achieving good function,appearance and minimized damage to the donor site,which is a effective method in reconstructing the fingertip defect.