Background and Objective:

Fingertip injuries and nail bed lesions are associated with trauma aggression and work accidents with a high incidence and prevalence in our environment.

We present the experience with our surgical technique for reconstruction of nail bed with the advancement and rotation of a cell adipose flap of finger pad, basing its vascularization in the palmar arteries.

Methods:

The technique consists on lifting the flap (cell adipose finger pad tissue) from the distal phalange according to the size of the tissue defect at the level of the nail bed, performing a rotation, if required, and an advance flap, providing a complete and adequate coverage. It is necessary to emphasize that with this technique the fibrous bands are preserved favoring flap vascularization and, as an additional advantage, does not leave scar in the finger pad.

Results:

The technique was performed in a total of 120 patients (70% men, 26% women and 4% children) with a mean age of 36.5 years, being the main cause a work-related injury: 110 were successful, 3 were lost suffering total necrosis, and 7 presented suffer without loss.

Conclusions:

This technique is a practical, safe and efficient tool and an alternative for nail bed reconstruction, providing optimal results for this type of injury.

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