ePoster
Presentation Description
Institution: Ballarat Base Hospital - VIC, Australia
Background: Distal fingertip amputations are often managed with revision amputation or terminalisation, often compromising digit length and pulp volume. The Venkataswami flap, although technically demanding, presents a valuable yet underutilised option for preserving length and sensate coverage in appropriate cases.
Case Series:
We present two cases where the Venkataswami flap was employed for fingertip reconstruction.
•Case 1: A 37-year-old right-hand-dominant labourer sustained an Allen Type III crush injury to the right index finger. 1cm of distal phalanx and the entire nailbed, and plate were lost at the scene.
•Case 2: A 16-year-old male suffered an Allen Type IV avulsion injury to the right ring finger from football. The partially amputated tip remained viable via the ulnar neurovascular bundle.
In both cases, an obliquely oriented triangular Venkataswami flap was marked on the mid-lateral line of the affected digit. The pedicle was raised on the subdermal ulnar neurovascular bundle, orientated on an oblique angle and advanced into the defect without tension. The 37-year-old’s shortened distal phalanx was covered primarily. The 16-year-old underwent concurrent nailbed and plate repair. Distal phalanx length remained preserved where possible. Both donor and recipient sites were closed primarily with 5-0 Vicryl-Rapide.
Outcomes: At 1-week and 3-month follow-up, both patients demonstrated good pulp volume, sensate recovery, without necrosis or dehiscence. Patient-satisfaction was high.
Conclusion: The Venkataswami flap offers distal length preservation when feasible, soft tissue contouring, and sensory restoration in select fingertip amputations. Accurate preoperative planning with flap dimension, arc of rotation, and preservation of neurovascular bundles is critical.
Presenters
Authors
Authors
Dr Rishi Kumar - , Mr Amir Tadros -
