INNERVATED REVERSE DIGITAL ARTERY FLAP THROUGH BILATERAL NEURORRHAPHY FOR PULP DEFECTS

To provide sensation to the reverse digital artery (RDA) flap, both the dorsal branch from the proper digital nerve and the superficial sensory branch from the corresponding radial or ulnar nerve are sectioned at their proximal ends and included with the RDA flap. These are then anastomosed with the distal ends of both radial and ulnar digital nerves at the recipient wound. Three cases of pulp defects reconstructed by this technique achieved very favourable functional and cosmetic results. The RDA flap, innervated through bilateral neurorrhaphy, seems to be an excellent option for one-stage reconstruction of major pulp defects.