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Modification of VY flap to preserve fingertip contour

  • Surgery Articles
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HAND

Abstract

Background

VY flap is a reliable treatment for fingertip amputation injuries. Insetting the flap to replicate fingertip contour can be challenging with the conventional method of using sutures. We propose a modification of inset technique with K-wire to simplify contouring during flap inset.

Methods

Seven patients underwent VY flap reconstruction with the modified inset technique for fingertip defects ranging from 10 × 15 to 20 × 15 mm. The flaps were advanced between 6 and 10 mm and inset with K-wires. The donor site is allowed to heal by secondary intention. At 6 months, static two-point discrimination, sensitivity, and flap appearance were assessed.

Results

All flaps healed uneventfully, and each patient returned to work between 8 and 10 weeks. Fingertip and nail contour were satisfactory in every case.

Conclusion

This modification simplified contouring during flap inset and provided a viable alternative to flap inset and contour adjustment.

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Conflict of interest

None.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hand and Microsurgery Section, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, 11 Jalan Tan Tock Seng, Novena, 308433, Singapore

    Tun Lin Foo & Kerry Hiu-Mei Wan

Authors
  1. Tun Lin Foo
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  2. Kerry Hiu-Mei Wan
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Tun Lin Foo.

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Cite this article

Foo, T.L., Wan, K.HM. Modification of VY flap to preserve fingertip contour. HAND 7, 388–390 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11552-012-9451-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11552-012-9451-z

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