Abstract
Disruption of the anatomy and physiology of the thumb tip by injury can have an adverse impact on hand function. Normal thumb function requires adequate length, normal mobility, with stable, supple, durable, and sensate soft tissue coverage. Reconstruction of acute thumb-tip injuries must be carefully selected in order to restore normal function. For minor thumb pulp injury, a palmar or lateral V–Y advancement flap, or cross index finger flap may be employed. Substantial thumb-tip injury requires more complex reconstruction. The three principal reconstructions for these injuries are the Moberg, neurovascular island, and first dorsal metacarpal artery flaps and will be the focus of this chapter.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Tränkle M, Sauerbier M, Germann G. Restoration of thumb sensibility with the innervated first dorsal metacarpal artery island flap. J Hand Surg Am. 2003;28(5):758–66.
Eski M, Nisanci M, Sengezer M. Correction of thumb deformities after burn: versatility of first dorsal metacarpal artery flap. Burns. 2007;33(1):65–71.
Moberg E. Aspects of sensation in reconstructive surgery of the upper extremity. J Bone Joint Surg. 1964;46A:817–25.
Baumeister S, Menke H, Wittemann M, Germann G. Functional outcome after the Moberg advancement flap in the thumb. J Hand Surg. 2002;27A:105–14.
Posner MA, Smith RJ. The advancement pedicle flap for thumb injuries. Br J Plast Surg. 1999;52:64–8.
Macht SD, Watson HK. The Moberg volar advancement flap for digital reconstruction. J Hand Surg. 1980;5:372–6.
Aarons M. Fingertip reconstruction with a palmar advancement flap and free dermal graft: a report of six cases. J Hand Surg. 1985;10A:230–2.
Kinoshita Y, Kojima T, Matsuura S, Hayashi H, Miyawaki T. Extending the use of the palmar advancement flap with v-y closure. J Hand Surg. 1997;22B:212–8.
O’Brien B. Neurovascular island pedicle flaps for terminal amputations and digital scars. Br J Plast Surg. 1968;21:258–61.
Foucher G, Delaere O, Citron N, Molderez A. Long-term outcome of neurovascular palmar advancement flaps for distal thumb injuries. Br J Plast Surg. 1999;52:64–8.
Bang H, Kojima T, Hayashi H. Palmar advancement flap with v-y closure for thumb tip injuries. J Hand Surg. 1992;17A:933–4.
Elliot D, Wilson Y. V-Y advancement of the entire volar soft tissue of the thumb in distal reconstruction. J Hand Surg. 1993; 18B:399–402.
Germann G. Principles of flap design for surgery of the hand. Atlas Hand Clin. 1998;3:33–57.
Wallace AB editor. Transactions of the international society of plastic surgeons: second congress. Edinburgh: E & S Livingstone; 1960.
Schlenker JD, Trumble TE. Neurovascular Island flap. In: Rayan GM, Chung KC, editors. Flap reconstruction of the upper extremity. Rosemont: American Society for Surgery of the Hand; 2009.
Tubiana R, Duparc J. Restoration of sensibility in the hand by neurovascular skin island transfer. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1961;43-B:474–80.
Campbell Reid DA. The neurovascular island flap in thumb reconstruction. Br J Plast Surg. 1966;19:234–44.
Adani R, Squarzina PB, Castagnetti C, Laganá A, Pancalidi G, Caroli A. A comparative study of the heterodigital neurovascular island flap in thumb reconstruction, with and without nerve reconnection. J Hand Surg Eur. 1994;19(5):552–9.
Oka Y. Sensory function of the neurovascular island flap in thumb reconstruction: comparison of original and modified procedures. J Hand Surg Am. 2000;25(4):637–43.
Puckett CL, Howard B, Concannon MJ. Primary closure of the donor site for the Littler neurovascular island flap transfer. Plast Reconstr Surg. 1996;97(5):1062–4.
Kumta SM, Yip KMH, Pannozzo A, Fong SL, Leung PC. Resurfacing of thumb-pulp loss with a heterodigital neurovascular island flap using a nerve disconnection/reconnection technique. J Reconstr Microsurg. 1997;13(2):117–23.
Sherif MM. First dorsal metacarpal artery flap in hand reconstruction. II. Clinical application. J Hand Surg Am. 1994;19(1):32–8.
Rayan GM. First dorsal metacarpal artery flap. In: Rayan GM, Chung KC, editors. Flap reconstruction of the upper extremity. Rosemont: American Society for Surgery of the Hand; 2009.
Foucher G, Braun JB. A new island flap transfer from the dorsum of the index to the thumb. Plast Reconstr Surg. 1979;63(3):344–9.
Sherif MM. First dorsal metacarpal artery flap in hand reconstruction. I. Anatomical study. J Hand Surg Am. 1994;19(1):26–31.
Paneva-Holevich Y. Further experience with the bipedicled neurovascular island flap in thumb reconstruction. J Hand Surg Am. 1991;16(4):594–7.
Pho RWH. Local composite neurovascular island flap for skin cover in pulp loss of the thumb. J Hand Surg Am. 1979;4(1):11–5.
Delikonstantinou IP, Gravvanis AI, Dimitriou V, Zogogiannis I, Douma A, Tsoutsos DA. Foucher first dorsal metacarpal artery flap versus Littler heterodigital neurovascular flap in resurfacing thumb pulp loss defects. Ann Plast Surg. 2011;667(2):119–22.
Kaufman MR, Jones NF. The reverse radial forearm flap for soft tissue reconstruction of the wrist and hand. Tech Hand Up Extrem Surg. 2005;9(1):47–51.
Rogachefsky RA, Mendietta CG, Galpin P, Ouellette EA. Reverse radial forearm fascial flap for soft tissue coverage of hand and forearm wounds. Br J H Surg. 2000;25(4):385–9.
Chemma TA, Lakshman S, Cheema MA, Durraini SF. Reverse-flow posterior interosseous flap—a review of 68 cases. Hand. 2007;2(3):112–6.
El-Sabbagh AH, Zeina AAE, El-Hadidy A, El-Din AB. Reversed posterior interosseous flap: safe and easy method for hand reconstruction. J Hand Microsurg. 2011;3(2):66–72.
Button M, Stone IJ. Segmental bony reconstruction of the thumb by composite groin flap. J Hand Surg. 1980;5(5):488–91.
Trzcinski D, Rayan GM. Groin flap. In: Rayan GM, Chung KC, editors. Flap reconstruction of the upper extremity. Rosemont: American Society for Surgery of the Hand; 2009.
Lehman TP, Rayan GM. Moberg advancement flap. In: Rayan GM, Chung KC, editors. Flap reconstruction of the upper extremity: a masters skills publication. Rosemont: American Society for Surgery of the Hand, 2009. pp. 74–9.
Rayan G, Trzcinski D. Groin flap. In: Slutsky D, editor. The art of microsurgical H and reconstruction. New York: Thieme; 2013.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2015 Springer International Publishing Switzerland
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Porembski, M., Lehman, T., Rayan, G. (2015). Reconstruction of the Thumb Tip. In: Rozmaryn, L. (eds) Fingertip Injuries. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-13227-3_7
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-13227-3_7
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-13226-6
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-13227-3
eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)