title: [Reconstruction of forefoot skin defect with island flap pedicled with lateral tarsal artery].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the therapeutic effect of island flap pedicled with lateral tarsal artery for forefoot skin defect.
  
  
  METHODS
  From March 2007 to January 2009, 12 cases with forefoot skin defects were treated by reversed island flap pedicled with lateral tarsal artery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All the flaps survived completely with a followed-up period of 8-22 months, 13 months in average. The flaps and skin grafts had soft texture and a similar color as the surrounding skin. The flaps had a suitable thickness with deep pain sensation. Shallow touch and pain sensation recovered in the skin graft and within 1-2 cm of the flap edge, which was graded as S1-S2. There was no problem in shoes-wearing and walking. No flap ulcer happened.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Island flap pedicled with lateral tarsal artery is suitable for forefoot skin defect, leaving less morbidity to donor site.
authors.affiliation: Department of Handsurgery, Third Affiliated Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050051, China.
authors.forename: Ji-Chun
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Xiao-Ming
authors.initials: XM
authors.lastname: Xia
authors.forename: Liang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Jin-Bao
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Han
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018409:Foot Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*