title: A new surgical treatment for mallet finger deformity: deepithelialised pedicled skin flap technique.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Mallet finger, well-known also as drop finger or baseball finger, is a frequent deformity after extensor tendons injury in the fingers. Although numerous nonoperative or operative techniques have been used in managing this deformity, the treatment still remains a debated subject.
  
  
  METHODS
  Starting from 1996, 121 fingers in 118 patients with neglected deformity or unsuccessful splinting older than 10 days underwent surgical treatment. In 101 patients a tendinous mallet finger was present, and in 20 patients a bony mallet finger. After immobilising the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint at 0° extension with a Kirschner wire, the extensor tendon was repaired by using a dorsal deepithelialised skin flap reinserted transosseous. The DIP joint was immobilised for 6 weeks in a thermoplastic splint, and after that it was gradually weaned from the immobilisation. An overnight splint was used for 4-6 weeks after starting the mobilisation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean follow-up period was 10 months (range: 3-120 months). An excellent result in 89 fingers and a good result in 32 fingers were obtained, according to Crawford's evaluation criteria.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This method seems to be a new reliable alternative in the treatment of chronic mallet finger.
authors: Plastic Surgery Reconstructive Microsurgery Clinic, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Rehabilitation Hospital, Viilor St., No. 46-50, 400347, Cluj Napoca, Romania.
authors: Alexandru V
authors: AV
authors: Georgescu
authors: Plastic Surgery Reconstructive Microsurgery Clinic, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Rehabilitation Hospital, Viilor St., No. 46-50, 400347, Cluj Napoca, Romania.
authors: Irina M V
authors: IM
authors: Capota
authors: Plastic Surgery Reconstructive Microsurgery Clinic, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Rehabilitation Hospital, Viilor St., No. 46-50, 400347, Cluj Napoca, Romania. Electronic address: irmatei@yahoo.com.
authors: Ileana R G
authors: IR
authors: Matei
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001864:Bone Wires; D005383:Finger Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005384:Finger Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods; D006227:Hand Deformities, Acquired / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D020127:Recovery of Function; D013165:Splints; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome