Occlusive Dressing vs Palmar Pedicular Island Flap in Fingertip Amputation

The initial step is wound debridement. To design the flap, a longitudinal line is drawn at the junction of the volar and dorsal parts of the finger, starting from the distal part of the proximal interphalangeal joint flexion crease. It will be harvested from distal to proximal dissecting the digital canal plane. By releasing the Cleland and Grayson ligaments, the neurovascular bundle will be dissected. On the intermediate phalange, the dorsal branch of the neurovascular bundle must be preserved to maintain blood flow to the dorsal skin. Dissection is completed at the junction between the palmo-dorsal arteries and the collateral neurovascular bundles on both sides of the finger. A triangle may be resected at the distal edge of the flap to reshape of the pulp. Bone may be resected if needed to allow tension-free closure of the distal part of the flap. No Immobilization will be necessary.

patients will be evaluated on admission and benefit from wound irrigation, debridement and placement of a simple dressing with Adaptic or Jelonet, either in the Emergency department or in the Hand Surgery department. At 48 hours, they will be addressed to the Hand Surgery department to place a self-adhesive polyurethane film. Follow-up will include a visit at 1 week for dressing change, and then weekly for further dressing change until healing. Skin proximal to the injury will be degreased to increase adherence of the dressing. Distally, the film leaves a pocket to collect wound exudate. During treatment, the foul-smelling liquid produced by the wound and clots collected in the occlusive dressing will not be removed. A gauze covers the occlusive dressing to protect the liquid pocket and cover potential smell.