REVERSE DORSAL DIGITAL ISLAND FLAP

The anatomic and clinical bases for a reliable and versatile homodigit al flap for covering difficult distal dorsal and dorsolateral wounds o f the long fingers are presented. This one-step procedure, which uses the dorsal skin of the first or second phalanx transposed as a reverse island flap, preserving the collateral nerve and artery to the finger tip, has proved valuable in salvaging the severely injured digits of n ine patients (for a total of 12 flaps). It would seem to be a relative ly simple way of achieving early recovery because it does not require distant flap reconstruction, the immobilization of adjacent digits, or homodigital flaps that might jeopardize an already injured finger. Fu rthermore, it reduces the time of hospitalization and improves patient welfare.