title: Reconstruction of weightbearing forefoot defects with digital artery flaps.
abstract: Reconstruction of a defect of the weightbearing forefoot region remains a challenging problem owing to the limited alternatives available. The digital artery flap can be used for coverage of defects in the weightbearing forefoot. The present study reports our results using a digital artery flap for reconstruction of soft tissue defects of the weightbearing forefoot in 8 patients. The mean patient age was 35 ± 11.3 years. The etiology of the soft tissue defects included 4 (50%) traumatic events, 2 (25%) dysfunctional scars, and 2 (25%) neuropathic ulcerations. The mean postoperative follow-up duration was 22 ± 11.1 months (range 12 months to 4 years). All 8 flaps survived successfully. The complications included 1 case of delayed healing of a neuropathic ulceration. The digital artery flap is a good alternative for soft tissue defects of the weightbearing forefoot. The surgical techniques for harvesting the flaps are easy to manage.
authors.affiliation: Orthopedic Department, General Hospital of Jinan Military Command, Jinan, China. Electronic address: doctorliu90@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Lifeng
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Orthopedic Department, General Hospital of Jinan Military Command, Jinan, China.
authors.forename: Xuecheng
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.affiliation: Orthopedic Department, General Hospital of Jinan Military Command, Jinan, China.
authors.forename: Jinfang
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cai
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005531:Foot Deformities, Acquired / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005545:Forefoot, Human / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*; D016474:Weight-Bearing; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: diabetes; donor site; forefoot reconstruction; trauma