Free medialis tarsus flap transfer for reconstruction of toe necrosis: A case report

The medial tarsal area is a commonly used donor site for skin grafts to the digits and toes, with good color and texture match as well as a concealable donor site scar. Yet, there has been no report as a perforator free flap donor site. The purpose of this report is to present a new perforator flap harvested from medial tarsal region. We present a case of a soft tissue defect of the fifth toe due to essential thrombocythemia (ET), successfully treated with a free medialis tarsus flap (MTF) transfer. A 62-year-old male with ET suffered from the right fifth toe necrosis caused by digital artery thrombosis. After the manifestation of the necrosis, necrotic tissue was completely debrided, which resulted in a 3 × 1.5 cm skin defect with exposure of the tendon and the phalangeal bone. Sixth days after debridement, a 4.5 × 1.7 cm MTF was harvested transversely and inferiorly to the right medial ankle, locating the preoperatively detected posterior tibial artery perforator (PTAP) in the flap. Perforator-to-perforator anastomosis was done using the dorsal metatarsal artery perforator and the subcutaneous vein as recipient vessels. The donor site was closed primarily. Postoperative course was uneventful, and the reconstruction preserved the toe length and functions of extension and flexion at 9 months postoperatively. The patient could walk with conventional shoes by himself. MTF may be an option for small skin defect in the digits and toes where skin graft is not indicated.