Abstract

Background: Fingertip amputations are frequent and several surgical strategies exist to reconstruct the amputated part and restore function and appearance. We studied the functional outcomes of patients receiving an antegrade homodigital neurovascular flap for fingertip amputations.

Methods From January 2024 to April 2025, we reconstructed 21 fingertip amputations in 20 patients by antegrade homodigital neurovascular flaps.

All patients were available for follow-up from at least 3 to 14 months after reconstruction. Finger motion was assessed using a goniometer. Two-point discrimination was used to evaluate sensory recovery. The aesthetic satisfaction of the patients was evaluated subjectively using a five-point Likert scale.

Results: No intraoperative complications occurred and all flaps survived. Mean flap size was 3.8 ± 0.5 cm2. Active motion of the fingers was over 90% of the contralateral side at follow-up. The average of two-point discrimination was 7.6 ± 0.9 mm. All patients returned to their original occupation after 5 weeks and patient satisfaction with the procedure was high.

Conclusions: With careful patient and surgeon preparation, the antegrade homodigital neurovascular flap is a reliable means of restoring the function and appearance of the fingertip after amputation injury with significant tissue loss.