J Korean Soc Emerg Med.  2023 Apr;34(2):128-133.

Comparison of outcomes between composite graft using skin stump and dressing for patients of fingertip skin defect injuries without exposed bone visiting the emergency department

• Kim J
• Shin SM
• Yoo J
• Noh H
• Kim Y
• Kwak D
• Lee K
• Kim H
• Choi IC
• Seo M

Abstract

Objective
Patients presenting with fingertip skin defect injuries without exposed bone can avail of two treatment options at the emergency department (ED). This study compared outcomes between dressing and composite graft (CG) using skin stump for patients visiting the ED with fingertip skin defect injuries without exposed bone.
Methods
This was a single-center, retrospective, observational study. We reviewed 244 patients with fingertip skin defect injuries without exposed bone who visited the ED from September 2018 to February 2021. We compared the outcomes of the patients who were treated by CG using skin stump and those who received a dressing in the ED.
Results
In all, 142 patients were treated by CG using skin stump, and 102 patients were given a dressing only. In the CG group, good outcomes were obtained in 140 patients, whereas additional skin graft treatment was required for two patients with bad outcomes. In the dressing group, 81 patients had good outcomes and 21 patients had bad outcomes which required additional skin graft treatment.
Conclusion
Results of our study revealed that compared to traditional dressing, ED treatment for fingertip skin defects without exposed bone showed good outcomes when administered CG using skin stump. Hence, we recommend that instead of simple dressing, CG using skin stump is the preferred mode of treatment for patients presenting in the ED with fingertip skin defect injuries without exposed bone.

Keyword

Finger injury; Emergency department; Skin graft; Conservative management