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[The dorsal flag flap for alternative skin coverage for defects of the thumb tip: case reports].

PURPOSE
This case report describes the use of the dorsal flag flap in contrast to its standard indication (dorsal and palmar defects of the proximal finger phalanx) for defect coverage of the thumb tip in three patients.


PATIENTS AND METHOD
In 2006, defects of the thump tip were covered with a dorsal flag flap in three male cases. After 6 - 9 months a clinical evaluation was performed with special focus on pain, aesthetic aspect, sensibility and function.


RESULTS
Primary wound healing without complications was observed in all cases. No functional impairments or pain have been reported, the aesthetic aspect was satisfying for the patients. All flaps showed an intact protection sensibility (in terms of pressure and pain perception). The subjective shortcoming of the sensitivity like numbness was not distracting to any of the patients.


CONCLUSION
The dorsal flag flap is a good alternative for covering tissue defects at the thumb tip compared to local flap grafts or neurovascular long-distance flaps with satisfying results.