Second toe plantar flap for partial finger reconstruction

Utilizing the tissue obtained from the plantar surface (metatarsophalangeal-distal interphalangeal region) of the second toe is an ideal procedure for reconstruction of partial finger tissue defects. The major advantage of this method is that it provides satisfactory aesthetic and functional improvement at the recipient site; furthermore, good results from the aesthetic point of view and minimum morbidity at the donor site are obtained. Our procedure utilizes the free neurovascular skin flap (second toe plantar flap) and full-thickness skin graft. As for the free flap, artery and nerve are obtained from the plantar neurovascular bundle and vein from the dorsal or plantar vein. All cases reconstructed with this procedure revealed satisfactory sensory restoration and aesthetic appearance. The donor sites also revealed no contracture and visible scar. In this paper, we discuss the application of this procedure for finger tissue reconstruction.