Extensor digitorum brevis muscle flap: new refinements

Plast Reconstr Surg. 1998 Jul;102(1):103-10. doi: 10.1097/00006534-199807000-00016.

Abstract

Two original operative techniques of raising the extensor digitorum brevis muscle flap are presented. These methods allow for covering distal foot defects that are difficult to cover by other reconstructive means. In the first technique, the flap is based on an extended distal pedicle supplied by the dorsal interosseous artery of the first intermetatarsal space. In the second technique, the flap receives its vascular supply from the medial tarsal artery; this procedure may be valuable when the vascular supply of the dorsalis pedis pedicle has been disrupted. To confirm the availability of these vascular pedicles, cadaver dissections were performed and proved that the extended pedicle dissection enhances the rotation arc of the flap. Four selective clinical cases, in which the flap was successfully used, are discussed. Advantages of these techniques, in reconstructing large defects in the distal foot, are delineated.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Ankle / blood supply
  • Ankle / innervation
  • Cadaver
  • Child
  • Dissection
  • Foot Injuries / surgery*
  • Graft Survival
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Metatarsus / blood supply
  • Metatarsus / innervation
  • Metatarsus / surgery
  • Muscle, Skeletal / blood supply
  • Muscle, Skeletal / innervation
  • Muscle, Skeletal / pathology
  • Muscle, Skeletal / transplantation*
  • Peroneal Nerve / anatomy & histology
  • Plastic Surgery Procedures / methods
  • Skin Transplantation / methods
  • Surgical Flaps* / blood supply
  • Surgical Flaps* / innervation
  • Surgical Flaps* / pathology