OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility of repairing the wounds in the distal feet with dorsal metatarsal artery distal perforator pedicle link-pattern flaps.

METHODSSince January of 2004 to April of 2009, 30 patients with distal wounds in the feet underwent surgical wound repair using by dorsal metatarsal arteries distal perforator pedicle link-pattern flaps. Seventeen patients used the 1, 2 dorsal metatarsal artery distal perforator flaps, and 13 had the 3, 4 dorsal metatarsal artery distal perforator flaps, with the flaps measuring 4 cmx4 cm to 8 cmx7cm and the flap pedicle ranged 3-6 cm in length. The donor sites were repaired with skin grafting.

RESULTSTwenty-nine flaps survived completely and 1 flap showed partial necrosis in the distant part (2.0 cmx1.0 cm). Twenty-one patients were followed up for an average of 11 months, during which the color, texture, and contour of the flaps remained normal without ulcers in the donor sites or the flaps.

CONCLUSIONThe wounds in the distal feet can be repaired by dorsal metatarsal artery distal perforator pedicle link-pattern flaps, which is a simple, applicable and safe procedure.