We performed a comparative study looking at the aesthetic outcomes of using a digital artery vascularized adipose flap (DAAF) for treatment of Wassel type IV radial polydactyly versus a fillet flap technique. Clinical charts and pictures of patients between 2002 and 2017 were reviewed to evaluate the appearance of 16 reconstructed thumbs using a visual analogue scale. Our results showed that the DAAF technique resulted in better outcomes with regard to contour of the thumb than the fillet flap group, with significantly less conspicuous scarring in the DAAF group. We conclude that the DAAF can produce better aesthetic outcomes in the reconstruction of radial polydactyly than conventional fillet flaps.Level of evidence: III.
Keywords: Arthroplasty; Wassel type IV; digital artery adipose flap; fillet flap; finger phalange; thumb polydactyly.