A new method for second toe flap revascularization in plantar dominant artery pattern - dorsal metatarsal artery interpositional graft

BACKGROUND/AIM: Toe transfer to hand is a viable option for patients, which can provide functionally useful digits. Harvesting of the second toe is still accepted as a demanding surgical procedure. The major questions before this transfer are the location and the dominance of the arterial anatomy of the second toe. The authors present the incidence of patients with a dominant plantar artery system and a description of a versatile technique that can be used for toe transfers in these patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was designed retrospectively. Toe to hand transfers performed between 2010 and 2018 were reviewed. The patients with a dominant plantar arterial system were included in this study. The dorsalis pedis arterial graft technique described by the authors was used in all cases with a dominant plantar system. All of transfers were done by the senior author. All cases followed up at least one year post-operatively. The survival of the transferred finger was examined in the follow-ups. RESULTS: Eleven toe to hand transplantation cases in nine traumatic patients were included in this series. The reason for the operation was trauma in all patients. Second toe transfer was performed in all of the cases. Plantar dominant arterial system was seen in 3 of the 9 patients. Dorsal arterial system was dominant in the remaining six patients. Dorsalis pedis arterial graft technique was used in these four cases. All of the toes survived, and reexploration was needed in 2 cases because of venous insufficiency. Mean follow-up time was 16.4 months. CONCLUSION: This is the first study to recommend the use of dorsalis pedis as an arterial graft instead of vein grafts. This surgical method described will make these rarely performed transfers easier and affect the success rates positively.