ABSTRACT
ObjectiveTo explore methods of donor repair of the great toe-nail flap in finger reconstruction surgery.MethodsFrom December 1998 to December 2010, various kinds of flaps were used in 511 donor sites to repair the great toe-nail flaps,including:32 dorsal pedal artery flaps;twenty-four first dorsal metatarsal artery flaps;twenty-one second dorsal metatarsal artery flaps;forteen anterior malleolar flaps;seventeen medial tarsal artery flaps;seventy-nine lateral tarsal artery flaps;one hundred and six plantar metatarsal flaps,seventy-nine flaps from second toe;fifteen flaps from mid/lower leg and 124 freed flaps.ResultsAfter postoperative 6 months to 11 years of follow-up, repaired donor sites of great toe-flaps all survived successfully,with ideal outlook and function.ConclusionThere are many kinds of methods for donor site repair of the great toe-nail flap,and each kind of method has its own advantages and disadvantages. Among these flaps, plantar pedal artery flap and free groin flap are amony the best ones.