Abdominal flap repair of multiple full finger skin dehiscence injuries

[Objective] To summarize the treatment of multifingered total finger disarticulation injuries with several abdominal flaps. [Methods] Abdominal flaps have been used in 45 cases of non-thumb multifingered total finger dehiscence injuries since 2000, including 10 cases of abdominal random tube repair, 15 cases of thoracic umbilical artery perforator flap, 12 cases of superficial iliac artery flap, and 8 cases of abdominal flap embedding. The abdominal flaps were cut at the end of the procedure, and finger-splitting or flap-plasty surgery was performed. [Results] All flaps were viable after surgery, but 3 cases showed distal skin necrosis after 3-finger distraction surgery. The average active movement of the affected hands was 60% at the metacarpophalangeal joints and 30% at the interphalangeal joints after a follow-up period of 5-36 months. Sensory recovery of the affected finger with residual nerve could reach S3, while other fingers had poor recovery of fine sensation and could hold objects. The appearance of the remaining hands was satisfactory, except for three cases in which the skin of the distal third finger was necrotic and shortened again, resulting in a poor appearance. [Conclusion] The selective use of abdominal flap for non-thumb total finger dehiscence can maximize the restoration of appearance and function, and it is still a practical, safe and simple surgical method.