A Simple Adjunct to a Plantar Local Random Flap for Submetatarsal Ulcers

Plantar local random flaps provide a versatile method of plastic coverage for many types of pedal soft tissue defects. The ability of a local random flap to replace "like with like tissue" on the weight-bearing surface of the forefoot makes it a useful option for coverage of recalcitrant submetatarsal ulcerations. The authors describe a technique of adjunctive temporary stabilization of the affected metatarsophalangeal joint to maximize the likelihood of ultimate flap survival.