One-stage wound healing of fingertip injuries induced by treatment of artificial dermis.

BACKROUND: Fingertip injuries are common in both adults and children. Many operative and non-operative management techniques have been reported to restore the function and cosmetic shape of fingertips after injuries. Although these methods may be used for different indications in clinical settings, few of them can treat all kinds of fingertip injuries. In addition, there is controversy as to whether the surgical approach or the conservative approach is the optimal management for fingertip injuries.

METHODS: Thirty-six fingers of 33 patients with fingertip injuries were included in the study. All wounds were treated with surgical debridement and artificial dermis coverage without further surgical treatment. Follow-up duration was 24.5 months on average.

RESULTS: All injuries were categorised into four types - Allen's classification of fingertip injury type II, type III, type IV, and transverse amputations proximal to the lunula and close to the level of the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint - and 28 of them had bone exposure. The defects of all fingers were restored in one stage within an average of 8 weeks. Although the length and width of the new fingertips were less than those of the contralateral fingertips, almost all patients were satisfied with the functional and cosmetic outcomes of their regenerated fingers.

CONCLUSIONS: One-stage wound healing of fingertip injuries induced by artificial dermis treatment is an easy and effective approach to restoring defects after injury with excellent functional and cosmetic results. Nearly all kinds of fingertip injuries can be managed with this method without any further surgical treatment. Therefore, this is a good alternative for the management of fingertip injuries.