“Flap-in-Flap” Technique: Double V-Y Flap in Fingertip Injury Management

Abstract

Background Fingertip injuries with amputation are one of the common hand injury problems. Several reconstructive options are available for fingertip injury. V-Y advancement flap is one of the common flaps. In some cases, their advancement capacities are not sufficient to cover the whole defect, resulting in flexion deformity of the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint, loss of finger pulp shape, or hooked deformity. The double V-Y flap consists of harvesting two cutaneous flaps on the same neurovascular digital palmar bundle. The first V-Y flap is raised as a neurovascular flap and the second flap is an advancement V-Y plasty. Objectives This article evaluates the outcomes of the double V-Y advancement flap for the fingertip reconstruction. Materials and Methods This is a prospective study on 19 patients with zone II and III fingertip amputation tip defects between December 2021 and June 2023. The majority were workplace injuries. Results There were 16 males and 3 females. The average static two-point discrimination was 6 mm. Average advancement of first flap is 8.5 mm and the average advancement of second flap is 4.3 mm. The average total advancement of a double V-Y flap is 12.94 mm (10–15 mm). All of them had “good” total active motion with movement > 210. One patient had flexion deformity at the DIP joint without causing any functional disturbance. All the flaps settled well except for one patient who had superficial partial necrosis of flap which was managed conservatively. Conclusion This is simple and safe for the reconstruction of zone II and III fingertip amputations with the advantage of like-for-like tissue with near-normal sensation. The second flap increased the advancement of the proximal flap, restoring the pulp shape, and thereby reconstructing a functional and aesthetic fingertip.