title: Repair of Fingertip Defect Using an Anterograde Pedicle Flap Based on the Dorsal Perforator.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purposes of this article are to introduce and assess the results of a long-term follow-up of using anterograde pedicle flap based on the dorsal branches of proper digital neurovascular bundles from the dorsum of the middle phalanx for the fingertip defect.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between February 2011 and December 2012, 31 patients underwent reconstruction of fingertip defects using a homodigital flap based on the dorsal perforator in the middle phalanx. The defect size ranged from 1.3 cm × 1.5 cm to 2.4 cm × 3.0 cm. During surgery, the flap was designed on the dorsal middle phalangeal region. The pedicle was a neurovascular bundle consisting of an artery, vein, and sensory nerve; the rotation of pedicle was <90 degrees.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The clinical results were satisfactory after 3 to 9 months of follow-up. The flaps were considered cosmetically acceptable by both patients and doctors. The sensory recovery was excellent, 2-point discrimination was 4.96 ± 1.47 mm, and the recovery of range of motion of the interphalangeal joints was very good.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The anterograde island flap based on the dorsal branches of proper digital neurovascular bundles is an ideal aesthetic reconstruction method for fingertip defect. A 90-degree rotated island pedicle flap was very versatile, easy to design, and had good survival. This technique is simple with less damage to the donor site, without sacrificing the branch of the digital artery and nerve. The reliable source of blood supply and satisfactory recovery of sensation can be achieved without affecting the interphalangeal joint activity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hand Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China; and Department of Anatomy, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou University Town, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.
authors.forename: Peng
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.affiliation: Department of Hand Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China; and Department of Anatomy, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou University Town, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.
authors.forename: Weiwei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Hand Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China; and Department of Anatomy, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou University Town, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.
authors.forename: Jin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mei
authors.affiliation: Department of Hand Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China; and Department of Anatomy, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou University Town, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.
authors.forename: Maochao
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ding
authors.affiliation: Department of Hand Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China; and Department of Anatomy, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou University Town, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.
authors.forename: Yaling
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Department of Hand Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China; and Department of Anatomy, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou University Town, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.
authors.forename: Shanshan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Xi
authors.affiliation: Department of Hand Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China; and Department of Anatomy, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou University Town, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.
authors.forename: Renpeng
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: Department of Hand Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China; and Department of Anatomy, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou University Town, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.
authors.forename: Maolin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tang