[Hetero-digital toe flap according to the « spare-part » concept taken from a duplicated toe for the treatment of a cutaneous flessum of an associated clinodactyly].

INTRODUCTION

The correction of cutaneous deficiency encountered in clinodactyly is an important aspect of its treatment. The use of the skin lining of an adjacent duplicated toe as a « spare-part » flap may be of interest in providing good quality tissue.

CLINICAL CASE

We report the case of a child with complete duplication of the 5th toe associated with clinodactyly. The use of a heterodactyl flap taken from the amputated toe allows the release of a plantar cutaneous flange of the preserved toe.

DISCUSSION

The concept of « spare-part » flap is mainly used in hand surgery in traumatic lesions of the fingers. Its application in the treatment of clinodactyly on the occasion of the regularization of a polydactyly is also interesting because some fingers or toes are intended to be amputated to render a classical anatomy of five-toed foot. It is necessary for the realization of this type of flap on malformative toes to verify the existence of a distinct viable pedicle of the amputated toe, which can be done only intraoperatively.

CONCLUSION

The surgery for congenital malformations of the toes requires perfect management of the skin capital. The use of a « spare-part » toe flap taken from the toe to be amputated is a viable solution for the treatment of a cutaneous flessum encountered in a clinodactyly of the adjacent finger.