J Trauma Inj.  2025 Mar;38(1):56-60. 10.20408/jti.2024.0049.

Heterodigital flap as a solution for a thumb defect: a case report

• Sinaga BD
• Budi DPS
• Sadabaskara M

• KMID: 2566296
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.20408/jti.2024.0049

Abstract

Thumb traumatic injuries are incredibly common in hand injuries. The thumb is essential to hand function in order to do daily tasks like gripping, holding, opposing, circumducting, and movements. As a result, compared to injuries to other fingers, a thumb injury significantly impairs hand function. Traumas can cause soft tissue loss linked to vascular injuries that require revascularization. Replantation is the surgical treatment most frequently suggested to patients who have had their thumbs amputated in an attempt to restore function and attractiveness. There are alternative reconstructive techniques, such as skin grafting or local, distal, and free flaps, when replantation of the severed segment is not feasible. Reconstruction techniques vary depending on where the amputation occurred and include transfer site reconstruction and homodigital and heterodigital flaps. We reported a case of a woman who has a right traumatic thumb injury due to blender accident. Primary suturing and debridement were done to save the thumb. But after several days, the thumb was necrotic and not viable. Heterodigital island flap from the right middle finger was chosen. Radial forearm skin was grafted to cover the middle finger defect. This gave satisfactory results. Wound healing was quite good, but there were signs of scar tissue growth after several months of follow-up. The function and mobility of the thumb and hand were also achieved well through the QuickDASH (quick Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand) score. Heterodigital flap provides satisfactory results both aesthetically and functionally in traumatic thumb injury cases.

Keyword

Thumb injury; Heterodigital flap; Thumb reconstruction; Quick DASH; Case reports