Chimeric Free Vascularized Metatarsophalangeal Joint With Toe Fillet Flap: A Technique for Reconstruction of the Posttraumatic Metacarpophalangeal Joint With Concomitant Soft Tissue Defect

For painful, dysfunctional, posttraumatic metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints, the free vascularized toe joint transfer may represent a good solution. Successful reconstruction is potentially limited, however, by 2 features of the traditional vascularized metatarsophalangeal (MTP) transfer: inadequate arc of flexion and insufficient soft tissue coverage. The solution to both of these dilemmas lies in the manner of utilizing the donor site. Because of its innate hyperextensibility, rotating the MTP 180° volar to dorsal provides the greatest arc of flexion in the reconstructed MCP. Excellent soft tissue coverage can be provided by elevating the skin paddle of the transferred second toe as a chimeric fillet flap, based on the tibial plantar digital artery.