The Innervated Distally Based First Dorsal Metatarsal Artery Flap with a Wide Pedicle for Reconstruction of a Great Toe Defect

BACKGROUND: It is difficult for surgeons to reconstruct soft tissue defects of the great toe. This report aims to evaluate the utility and efficacy of innervated distally based first dorsal metatarsal artery (FDMA) flap with a wide pedicle for reconstruction of soft tissue defects of the great toe. METHODS: This is a retrospective report. Between January 2015 and December 2017, six cases of skin defect of the great toe were reconstructed with an innervated distally based FDMA flap with a wide pedicle. One case was excluded in this report because of chronic pain on the metatarsophalangeal joint due to osteoarthritis before the injury. A total of five cases were evaluated for flap survival and sensory recovery. The sensory recovery was investigated by two-point discrimination and Semmes-Weinstein monofilament tests. The average age of the selected patients was 40 years (range, 36 to 56 years), and the average size of the defect in the toe was 8.3 cm(2) (range, 4 to 13.8 cm(2)). The average follow-up period was 29.4 months (range, 18 to 38 months). RESULTS: All patients survived without any complications. The average two-point discrimination test value was 8.0 ± 0.89 mm (range, 7 to 9 mm), and the average value obtained from the Semmes-Weinstein monofilament test was 4.53 ± 0.33 (range, 4.17 to 4.93). The average residual pain score evaluated with a visual analog scale was 1 (range, 0 to 2). Two patients complained of stiffness in the great toe below 30° of total range of motion during the early stages after surgery, but this stiffness gradually improved after rehabilitation. The average range of motion of three patients with a remaining metatarsophalangeal joint after surgery was 80° (range, 70° to 90°). All five cases could walk regularly without any unique footwear at the final follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The innervated distally based FDMA flap with a wide pedicle could be a good alternative method for repair of soft tissue defects of the great toe.