Outcome of free flap vascularized by the dorsal artery of big toe in treating finger skin defect / 中华显微外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the outcome of the procedure of using the free flap vascularized by the dorsal artery of big toe to treat finger skin defect.Methods From August 2010 to April 2013,21 cases of finger shin defect were treated with the free flap vascularized by the dorsal artery of big toe in which emergency surgeries were conducted in 9 cases and sub emergency surgeries were conducted in 12 cases.The age of the 21 patients was 21 to 48 years old and 15 of them were males and 6 were females.Thumb was involved in 6 patients and index finger was involved in 15 patients.The skin defect occurred at dorsal in 7 patients and palm in 14 patients.The area of the flaps ranged from 2.2 cm × 1.6 cm to 4.0 cm × 3.2 cm.Observed the restoration of the affected fingers' appearance and function,investigated the clinical results and concluded the indication and advantages and disadvantages of this procedure by following up.Results All of the 21 flaps survived at the last office visit.The follow-up period ranged from 3 to 18 months.The shapes and the fingerprints of the flaps were satisfied.The color and texture of the flaps were similar to those of the finger skin.The 2 points discriminations of the flaps was 6-8 mm.No function deficits were found in the donor feet.Conclusion This free flap is satisfied in the shape,easy to harvested and the blood supply was constant in its location,and recommend it in treating the small of middle area skin defect in the finger.