title: Safety area for proximal metatarsal procedures.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Forefoot and tarsometatarsal surgery may be performed on the first and second metatarsal through the intermetatarsal space. However, no study has identified the safety area of the proximal metatarsal bone to avoid vascular injury.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and twenty-two uninjured embalmed feet of 31 female and 33 male cadavers aged 15 to 91 years (mean, 69.9 years) were studied. The dorsalis pedis artery was identified and dissected from its origin to the deep plantar artery. The distances from the artery to the dorsomedial aspect of first metatarsal bone, from the artery to the first tarsometatarsal joint, and from dorsalis pedis artery to the most plantar surface of second metatarsal bone were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The distance from the artery to the first tarsometatarsal joint averaged 23.1 mm (range, 12-31 mm) and the distance from the artery to the most plantar surface of the second metatarsal bone averaged 6.3 mm (range, 3-13 mm).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The safety area for proximal metatarsal procedure is about a 69-mm(2) triangular area (23 mm from first tarsometatarsal joint and 6 mm from the most plantar surface of the second metatarsal bone).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study provides information of normal location and variation of deep plantar artery is which related to medial midfoot complex. This information may be used during proximal metatarsal procedures.
authors: Orthopaedic Surgery Department, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. chuck003@gmail.com
authors: Bavornrit
authors: B
authors: Chuckpaiwong
authors: Ekkapoj
authors: E
authors: Korwutthikulrangsri
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot / Q000098:blood supply*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008682:Metatarsal Bones / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures; D014033:Toe Joint / Q000601:surgery; D055815:Young Adult