An Experience with the Innervated Cross - Finger Flap

Sohn, Sung Won; Choi, Hun Wook; Kang, Chang Soo

Abstract

Sensation is the key element that allows the fingertip to participate effectively in virtually all hand functions. Therefore, it is very important to restore sensation as well as well padded, durable skin coverage following severe fingertip injuries. Many ingenious operations have been described to provide the fingertip with sensate coverage. Among them, the innervated cross-finger flap, reported by Cohen et al. in 1983, is very effective and successful in reconstruction of severe fingertip injuries, We report five cases of severe fingertip injuries treated with innervated cross-finger flap. The results are as follows : 1. The level of sensory return and the functional result is excellent in those fingertips reconstructed with the innervated cross-finger flap. 2. Mean time for flap detachment is 16 days post operative and local anesthesis at outpatient department is sufficient. 3. Four of five treated patients achieved excellent sensibility with measurable two-point discrimination(mean 5.0 mm) and ability to recongnize textures and objects.