Not Just for Kids: A Systematic Review of Outcomes of the Thenar Flap.

ABSTRACT: Fingertip injuries are common, and the thenar flap is a well-described technique used to maintain digital length. However, its use in patients aged 30 years and above is generally discouraged due to concerns regarding postoperative joint contracture. The purpose of this review was to evaluate whether these concerns are substantiated. A search of PubMed, Embase, and SCOPUS (1947-2025) identified 15 studies involving 519 flaps. Case reports and studies lacking functional outcome data were excluded. Bias was assessed using the Methodological Items for Non-Randomized Studies instrument, and results were synthesized using Microsoft Excel. Joint contracture occurred in 32.4% of cases, all of which involved only the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint. Active range of motion (AROM) at the metacarp

SUBMITTER: Toole CS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12815617 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature