The Zitelli Bilobed Flap on Skin Coverage After Mucous Cyst Excision: A Retrospective Cohort of 33 Cases

Purpose To study the time to wound healing and recurrence rate achieved in the treatment of distal interphalangeal joint mucous cysts using the Zitelli modified bilobed flap. Methods We surgically treated 33 patients from January 2006 to June 2015. We assessed demographic data, comorbidities, location and size of the cyst, time to wound healing, and complications. Results The most affected finger was the right middle finger. All flaps survived and wounds healed in 14 days on average. The mucous cyst recurred in 1 of 33 cases. There were no major complications. Conclusions The Zitelli bilobed flap can provide good-quality skin coverage over the distal interphalangeal joint in a short period. Type of study/level of evidence Therapeutic IV.