Long-term patient-reported outcome measures of fingertip coverage with a homodigital unipedicle neurovascular island flap

Abstract

We report the long-term patient-reported outcomes and objective outcomes of a homodigital neurovascular island flap for distal phalangeal amputations in the fingers (with the thumb excluded) for 20 patients at a median follow-up of 4.4 years (IQR 2.2 to 12.3). We assessed the global subjective and aesthetic outcomes, range of motion, sensitivity and strength. The patient-reported median subjective global score was 7.5/10 points (IQR 7 to 9) and the aesthetic score was 8/10 points (IQR 8 to 9). Range of motion, sensitivity and strength were similar to the uninjured side. Stiffness was present in more than half of the cases; 14 patients had a hook nail deformity and seven patients reported symptomatic cold intolerance. At a long-term follow-up, the patient-reported outcome measures and objective outcomes of this flap are satisfactory and it is a safe and reliable flap.Level of evidence: IV.

Keywords: PROMs; Traumatology; digital amputation; fingertip; hand; homodigital neuro-vascular island flap; patient-reported outcomes measures.