title: The dorsal middle phalangeal finger flap. Mid-term results of 43 cases.
abstract: The dorsal middle phalangeal finger (DMF) flap is a (neuro)vascular island flap based on one palmar proper digital artery, its venae comitantes (and/or a separate dorsal vein) and the dorsal branch(es) of the palmar digital nerve. The main nerve supply of the donor finger is left undisturbed. The flap may be raised on a short antegrade, long antegrade or a retrograde pedicle, and used as a free, arterial and/or venous flow-through or neurovascular flap. In a prospective study (mean follow-up of 50 months), the results of 43 DMF flaps were analysed. All flaps survived, retained patency of their vascular pedicles and fulfilled their goals. Neurovascular flaps provided sensate coverage at the S3+ level with static 2-point discrimination values of about 10 mm. Dissection between the proper digital nerve and the rest of the neurovascular bundle induced a 5% incidence of cold intolerance and a 12% occurrence of S3+ hypaesthesia. Advantages, drawbacks and indications of DMF flaps are outlined.
authors.affiliation: Division of Hand Surgery, Inselspital, University of Berne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Leupin
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Weil
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Büchler
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000673:Amputation, Traumatic / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005383:Finger Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012086:Reoperation; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome