title: Reconstruction of Postburn Contracture of the Forefoot Using the Anterolateral Thigh Flap.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Severe forefoot deformities, particularly those involving the dorsum of the foot, cause inconvenience in daily activities of living including moderate pain on the dorsal aspect of the contracted foot while walking and difficulty in wearing nonsupportive shoes due to toe contractures. This paper presents clinical results of reconstruction of severe forefoot deformity using the anterolateral thigh (ALT) free flap.
  
  
  METHODS
  Severe forefoot deformities were reconstructed using ALT flaps in 7 patients (8 cases) between March 2012 and December 2015. The mean contracture duration was 28.6 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All the flaps survived completely. The size of the flaps ranged from 8 cm × 5 cm to 19 cm × 8 cm. The mean follow-up period was 10 months (range, 7 to 15 months). There was no specific complication at both the recipient and donor sites. There was one case where the toe contracture could not be completely treated after surgery. All of the patients were able to wear shoes and walk without pain. Also, the patients were highly satisfied with cosmetic results.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The ALT flap may be considered ideal for the treatment of severe forefoot deformity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Medical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Korea.
authors.forename: Sang Hyun
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Medical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Korea.
authors.forename: Sung Jin
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: An
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Medical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Korea.
authors.forename: Nu Ri
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Medical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Korea.
authors.forename: Um Ji
authors.initials: UJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Medical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Korea.
authors.forename: Jeung Il
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002056:Burns / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D003286:Contracture / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D018409:Foot Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000601:surgery*; D013848:Thigh / Q000601:surgery*
keywords: Acquired; Foot deformities; Forefoot; Microsurgical free flaps