Anatomical review of dorsalis pedis artery flap for the oral cavity reconstruction

ABSTRACT

The dorsalis pedis artery (DPA) was renamed from the anterior tibialis artery after it passed under the extensor retinaculum, and DPA travels between the extensor hallucis longus and extensor digitorum longus muscle along the dorsum of the foot. After giving off the proximal and distal tarsal, arcuate and medial tarsal branches, DPA enters the proximal first intermetatarsal space via the first dorsal metatarsal artery (FDMA), which courses over the first dorsal interosseous muscle (FDIM). For detailed knowledge of the neurovascular anatomy of a dorsalis pedis artery flap (DPAF) as a routine reconstructive procedure after the resection of oral malignant tumors, the precise neurovascular anatomy of DPAF must be studied along the DPA courses as above. In this first review article in the Korean language, the anatomical basis of DPAF is summarized and discussed after a delicate investigation of more than 35 recent articles and atlas textbooks. Many advantages of DPAF, such as a consistent flap vascular anatomy, acceptable donor site morbidity, and the ability to perform simultaneous flap harvest using oral cancer ablation procedures, and additional important risks with the pitfalls of DPAF were emphasized. This article will be helpful, particularly for young doctors during the special curriculum periods for the Korean National Board of Specialists in the field of oral and maxillofacial surgery, plastic surgery, otolaryngology, orthopedic surgery, etc.