Forefoot reconstruction in application of the reverse dorsal metatarsal artery perforator flap: 43 cases report / 中华显微外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To discuss the clinical application of reverse dorsal metatarsal artery perforator flap for reconstruction of forefoot soft tissue defects.Methods Since January,2008 to March,2016,43 patients with forefoot soft tissue defect due to various causes were reconstructed with the flap based on dorsal metatarsal artery perforator.Dorsal pedis was used as a donor site with dorsal metatarsal artery perforator as the donor artery.The flap size varied from 2.0 cm × 4.0 cm to 6.0 cm × 8.0 cm.Among them,27,8,4 and 4 cases were reconstructed with flap based on first,second,third and fourth dorsal metatarsal artery perforator flap respectively.Results All the patients were followed-up which ranged from 3 months to 24 months.Six flaps suffered from post operative venous congestion.Out of 6,4 survived with early emergency management while the remaining 2 suffered epidermal necrosis which survived with regular dressing change.Eventually,all the flaps survived.They had good texture and they were elastic,good-looking and very wear-resisting.Walking function was normal.Conclusion Reverse dorsal metatarsal artery perforator flap is an ideal choice in reconstruction of small to medium sized soft tissue defects of forefoot.