OBJECTIVETo investigate the morphological features of the perforator from the first plantar metatarsal artery, so as to provide anatomic basis for the reconstruction of soft-tissue defects of the forefoot.

METHODSThe first metatarsophalangeal joint was chosen as the landmark on 30 human cadaveric feet prefused with red latex. The following contents were observed under surgical magnifier: (1)The origin, courses,branches,distribution of the perforator of the first plantar metatarsal artery; (2)The anastomoses among the perforator of the first plantar metatarsal artery and other arteries on the medial aspect of the foot. Simulated operation was performed on one fresh specimen.

RESULTSThe perforator of the first plantar metatarsal artery passed through the space between the tendon, the abductor hallucis and the first metatarsal bone, and its entry point into the deep fascia was located (2. 3 ± 0.7 ) cm proximal to the first metatarsophalangeal joint. The perforator anastomosed with either the medial tarsal artery, the medial anterior malleolus artery or the branch of the medial plantar artery on the superior margin of the abductor hallucis, forming a longitudinal arterial chain,through which small branches were given off to the skin of the medial aspect of the foot. The perforator was( 1. 1 ± 0.2) mm in diameter and(3.2 ± 0.2) cm in length.

CONCLUSIONThe flap based on the perforator of the first plantar metatarsal artery can be harvested as an axial flap to repair the defects of soft tissue on the forefoot.