Treatment of the donor site after wound healing of semi-toe nail flap / 中华显微外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the wound healing of semi-toe nail flap donor site after transplantation. Methods To repair small wounds,on 13 toes the first metatarsal dorsal flaps were applied,and on 7 toes the second toe digital flaps were applied.While,to repair large wounds,free flaps were applied,including foot inside flaps on 3 toes,peroneal artery perforator flaps on 5 toes,tarsal lateral artery flaps on 2 toes,and phil bowel artery inside branch flaps on 3 toes.Wounds remaining on semi-toe nail flaps of 7 toes were all covered with fibular island flaps of the first toes. Results Twenty cases were followed up,and the rang between 6 months to 5 years.The nail margin was exposed out of the lateral flaps in 2 cases.The first toes and the second toes appeared nearly normal in the other 18 cases.The flaps appeared smooth,flexible appearance with nice color and no ulceration.Seven cases applied with free flaps recovered protective sensibility with no complaint. Conclusion To cover wounds on semi-toe nail flaps of the first toes and the second toes with flaps is an ideal treatment method.The method of free flap transplantation is superior to vascular pedicle flap graft.