Neurovascular free foot flaps in reconstruction of the mutilated hand.

The neurovascular free flap from the first web region of the foot affords unrivalled potential for refurbishing sensibility to the denervated hand. Its greatest application is when no conventional island flap tissue remains for transfer. Its two-point discrimination is only moderate, but when used for thumb reconstruction, its sensibility is adequate because no functional substitute exists. Functionally and cosmetically it is superior to other methods of thumb reconstruction because of its pulp, size, and nail availability. There are no finger identification problems and secondary donor defects are minimal.