Flap within a first dorsal metacarpal artery flap for recurrent thumb injury

Thumb pulp defects are commonly due to avulsion injuries. It is important to reconstruct these defects using sensate. A very good option for these defects is the islanded first dorsal metacarpal artery flap (FDMA). We present a patient, a carpenter by occupation, who had initial thumb pulp injury which was reconstructed with islanded first dorsal metacarpal artery flap. At 6-month follow-up, he had near normal sensation and two-point discrimination of 2 mm. The same patient represented after 1 year with similar injury to the same reconstructed thumb. This time, VY advancement flap was designed within the remnant of the previous FDMA flap. Flap within a flap is not a new concept. In the present scenario, it worked as a great indigenous solution as it was a simple alternative. It preserved the sensation and avoided the need of other complex reconstructions. The procedure was performed under local anaesthesia, and patient could return to his normal activities within 2 weeks post-op. This is a rare case report of making use of the concept of flap within a flap for recurrent thumb injury which was reconstructed previously with FDMA flap. VY advancement design aided the necessary movement required to cover the defect yet preserving the regained sensation making it a useful tool before embarking upon complex reconstructions.

Level of Evidence: Level V, therapeutic study.