THE HUESTON FLAP IN RECONSTRUCTION OF FINGERTIP SKIN LOSS - RESULTS IN A SERIES OF 41 PATIENTS

We reviewed 43 Hueston flaps in 41 patients (average age, 35 years) following distal fingertip skin loss. Mean advancement of the flap was 13 mm. Patients with single-digit injuries missed an average of 36 days off work. At the follow-up evaluation (mean, 3 years), 10 patients complained of pain (1 with functional impairment), 30 complained of cold intolerance, and 24 had nail deformities. Sensibility of advanced skin was normal by Semmes-Weinstein test in 33 cases, while two-point discrimination averaged 7 mm. This discrimination was virtually identical to contralateral digits in 31 of the cases. Overall, 30 patients were satisfied with their results, while 11 patients were mildly displeased. In 10 patients, this involved impairment of function, while the remaining patient was displeased with the appearance.