Sensory Reconstruction of Finger Pulp Defect Using a Dorsal Digital Island Flap

Status

Completed

Phases

Study type

Interventional

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT01486719

Enrollment

Registered

2011-12-06

Start date

2008-02-29

Completion date

2011-03-31

Last updated

2011-12-06

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Trauma

Keywords

Finger pulp reconstruction, dorsal branch, proper digital nerve, palmar arterial arch, dorsal digital island flap

Brief summary

Sensory reconstruction of the finger pulp is a challenging problem. This article reports repair of the finger pulp defect using the dorsal digital island flap. Both dorsal branches of the proper digital nerves (PDNs) were used for maximal sensory restoration.

Detailed description

From February 2008 to May 2009, the flap harvested from the dorsum of the middle phalanx of the same finger was used in 12 fingers in 12 patients. The flaps ranged in size from 2.0 × 2.0 cm to 2.8 × 2.2 cm. The mean pedicle length was 1.2 cm. Neurorrhaphy between the dorsal branches of the PDN and PDN was performed in both sides in all cases. Sensibility of the reconstructed finger pulp was evaluated by static 2-point discrimination (2PD) and Semmes-Weinstein monofilament test. The range of motion of the donor fingers was measured. The data were compared to those of the opposite sides.

Interventions

PROCEDURESensate Dorsal Digital Island Flap

This article reports repair of the finger pulp defect using the dorsal digital island flap. Both dorsal branches of the proper digital nerves (PDNs) were used for maximal sensory restoration.

Study design

Allocation

Intervention model

SINGLE_GROUP

Primary purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

ALL

Age

15 Years to 60 Years

Healthy volunteers

Inclusion criteria

1. a finger pulp defect \> 1.5 cm in length 2. necessity to preserve finger length 3. patients younger than 60 years .

Exclusion criteria

1. injury to the dorsum of the middle phalanx of the reconstructed finger that precluded its use as donor site 2. injury to the course of the vascular pedicle or opposite PDA 3. defects \< 1.5 cm in length.

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame	Description
static 2-point discrimination test	Patients were followed for 16-23 months (mean, 19 months)	The patients were assessed at follow-up by an independent senior surgeon who did not attend the treatments. Evaluation included active range of motion (ROM) of the DIP and proximal interphalangeal (PIP ) joints, and static 2-point discrimination (2PD) and Semmes-Weinstein monofilament test of the reconstructed finger pulps. These measurements were compared with those on the contralateral site. According to the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ), patients reported their satisfaction with the appearance of the injured hand. The questions based on a 5-point response scale.

Secondary

Measure	Time frame	Description
Semmes-Weinstein monofilament test	Patients were followed for 16-23 months (mean, 19 months)	The patients were assessed at follow-up by an independent senior surgeon who did not attend the treatments. Evaluation included active range of motion (ROM) of the DIP and proximal interphalangeal (PIP ) joints, and static 2-point discrimination (2PD) and Semmes-Weinstein monofilament test of the reconstructed finger pulps. These measurements were compared with those on the contralateral site.

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026