Neurovascular island skin flaps in the hand: functional and sensibility evaluations.

The value of neurovascular island skin flap transfers for digit tip surfacing has been evaluated in 13 patients. A computer assisted sensory evaluation was carried out on six of the patients. All patients were satisfied with the procedure. Sensory acuity did not appear to diminish with time and sensory misreference was not a major functional problem. We suggest that the neurovascular island flap, when available, is still an excellent procedure for restoration of useful digit tip sensibility.