title: [Dorsal metatarsal artery distal perforator pedicle link-pattern flaps for wound repairing in the distal feet].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the feasibility of repairing the wounds in the distal feet with dorsal metatarsal artery distal perforator pedicle link-pattern flaps.
  
  
  METHODS
  Since January of 2004 to April of 2009, 30 patients with distal wounds in the feet underwent surgical wound repair using by dorsal metatarsal arteries distal perforator pedicle link-pattern flaps. Seventeen patients used the 1, 2 dorsal metatarsal artery distal perforator flaps, and 13 had the 3, 4 dorsal metatarsal artery distal perforator flaps, with the flaps measuring 4 cmx4 cm to 8 cmx7cm and the flap pedicle ranged 3-6 cm in length. The donor sites were repaired with skin grafting.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-nine flaps survived completely and 1 flap showed partial necrosis in the distant part (2.0 cmx1.0 cm). Twenty-one patients were followed up for an average of 11 months, during which the color, texture, and contour of the flaps remained normal without ulcers in the donor sites or the flaps.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The wounds in the distal feet can be repaired by dorsal metatarsal artery distal perforator pedicle link-pattern flaps, which is a simple, applicable and safe procedure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical College, Zunyi 563003, China. zairongwei@sina.com
authors.forename: Zai-rong
authors.initials: ZR
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: Guang-feng
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Da-li
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Xiu-jun
authors.initials: XJ
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Yu-ming
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Wen-jie
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Han
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001158:Arteries / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008682:Metatarsal Bones / Q000098:blood supply; D008875:Middle Aged; D061525:Perforator Flap / Q000098:blood supply; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000601:surgery; D055815:Young Adult