Application of modified reverse digital artery island flap from the neighboring finger

Objective To introduce modified reverse digital artery island flap from the neighboring finger for coverage of soft tissue defect of the finger distal to the middle phalanx. Methods Island flap from the neighboring finger was perfused by retrograde arterial flow from proper digital artery of the injured finger to common digital artery and to proper digital artery of the neighboring finger. The pivotal point was proximal to the proximal interphalangeal joint of the injured finger. The flap was harvested and reversed to cover defect of the injure finger. Sensory nerve branch in the flap was coapted to the digital nerve stump of the injured finger. This procedure was done in 10 cases of soft tissue defect of the finger distal to the middle phalanx. Results All 10 flaps survived. Post-operative follow-up time ranged from 6 to 15 months. Contour of the fingers was nice. Color of the flaps was similar to that of the normal fingers. The flaps were soft and sensate. Two point discrimination was 4 mm on average. Conclusion Reverse digital artery island flap from the neioghboring finger is an optimal flap for coverage of soft tissue defect of the finger distal to the middle phalanx.