title: Treatment of severely contracted fingers with combined use of cross-finger and side finger transposition flaps.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In the present study, the authors combined use of the cross-finger flap and the side-finger transposition flap to cover the skin and soft-tissue defect created by contracture release of severely contracted fingers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight patients having Stern type III flexion contractures of the proximal interphalangeal joints were included. The cause of injury was burn in six patients and trauma in two patients. The average follow-up period was 11.6 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All operations were successful. Lack of extension of the proximal interphalangeal joint was improved by approximately 81.2 degrees for all digits.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Stern type III contracture of the proximal interphalangeal joint can be released by transverse incision and ample resection of scarred tissue, and the resulting palmar skin defect that cannot be covered by using the finger's own flaps or cross-finger flap can be covered by combined use of cross-finger and side-finger transposition flaps.
authors.affiliation: Plastik ve Rekonstruktif Cerrahi Klinigi ve Yanik Unitesi, Gata Haydarpasa Egitim Hastanesi, Selimiye Mahallesi Tibbiye Caddesi, Uskudar, Istanbul, Turkey. eulkur@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Ersin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ulkür
authors.forename: Cengiz
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Acikel
authors.forename: Huseyin
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Karagoz
authors.forename: Bahattin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Celikoz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002056:Burns / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D003286:Contracture / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D005383:Finger Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D005384:Finger Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D005385:Fingers / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D013524:Surgical Flaps