2024 Volume 37 Issue 2 Pages 68-73
Reconstruction of dorsal foot soft tissue defects requires both aesthetic recovery and effective wound coverage. Herein, we report a case of a dorsal foot soft tissue defect reconstructed using a thin groin flap in combination with an extracorporeal flap.
A 16-year-old female was referred to our hospital with a trauma-induced left dorsal foot soft tissue defect. The injury resulted in the loss of the extensor tendon and skin and exposure of the fourth metatarsal bone. The patient underwent reconstruction surgery on the 23rd day post-injury. The anterior tibial artery and collateral vein were exposed away from the wound. A thin groin flap was elevated and prepared for transfer. The iliotibial tract, dissected from the flap donor site, was transferred to the extensor defect. The distal end of the flap was secured to the defect, and the proximal end was overlaid with healthy skin. The pedicle was anastomosed end-to-end to the anterior tibial artery and vein. Three weeks post-surgery, the pedicle was cut, the flap was shaped to fit the wound, and the anterior tibial artery and collateral vein were reanastomosed. One year following the final surgery, the patient was satisfied with the aesthetic and functional outcomes of the procedure. Through this approach, we achieved successful aesthetic recovery in the reconstruction of the dorsal foot.
