• Anatomy & Biological Anthropology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.61-65
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• 2017

This report describes a variation of the tendinous slip of the flexor digitorum longus (FDL) for the great toe. In addition, compositions of the long flexor tendons for all five toes were examined. The tendons of the FDL in the foot were investigated in 66 specimens of embalmed Korean adult cadavers. The tendons of the flexor hallucis longus (FHL) and the FDL with the lumbrical muscles were cut at the calcaneus and the metatarsophalangeal joints and were removed en bloc specifically to observe the FDL and the FHL tendons of the great toe. The tendinous slip of the FDL for the great toe was found bilaterally in the foot of a 52-year-old male. Its prevalence was two of 66 specimens (3.0%). The tendinous slip of the FDL for the great toe passed forward the great toe, and it constituted the superficial portion of the long flexor tendon for the great toe. The tendon of the FHL passed forward to constitute the deep portion of the long flexor tendon for the great toe. Thus, both the tendinous slip of the FDL and the tendon of the FHL composed the long flexor tendon for the great toe. The tendinous slip of the FDL and the tendon of the FHL for the great toe were similar in thickness; thus, each tendinous slip of the FDL and the tendon of the FHL were approximately one-half of the long flexor tendon for the great toe in thickness. The present study demonstrated an anatomical variation of the interconnection between the FHL and the FDL tendons, which will be useful for various surgeries and biomechanical research.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.114-119
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• 2000

The soft tissue defects including the Achilles tendon are complex and very difficult to reconstruct. Recently, several free composite flaps including the tendon have been used to reconstruct large defects in this area in an one-stage effort. Our case presents a patient reconstructed with free composite dorsalis pedis flap along with the extensor digitorum longus and superficial peroneal nerve for extensive defects of the Achilles tendon and surrounding soft tissue. A 36-year-old-man sustained an open injury to the Achilles tendon. He was referred to our department with gross infection of the wound and complete rupture of the tendon associated with loss of skin following reduction of distal tibial bone fracture. After extensive debridement, $6{\times}8cm$ of skin loss and 8cm of tendon defect was noted. Corresponding to the size of the defect, the composite dorsalis pedis flap was raised as a neurosensory unit including the extensor digitorum longus to provide tendon repair and sensate skin for an one-stage reconstruction. One tendon slip was sutured to the soleus musculotendinous portion, the other two were sutured to the gastrocnemius musculotendinous portion with 2-0 Prolene. The superficial peroneal nerve was then coaptated to the medial sural cutaneous nerve. The anterior tibial artery and vein were anastomosed to the posterior tibial artery and accompanying vein in an end to end fashion. After 12 months of follow-up, 5 degrees of dorsiflexion due to the checkrein deformity and 58 degrees of plantar flexion was achieved. The patient was able to walk without crutches. Twopoint discrimination and moving two-point discrimination were more than 1mm at the transferred flap site. The donor site healed uneventfully. Of the various free composite flaps for the Achilles tendon reconstruction when skin coverage is also needed, we recommand the composite dorsalis pedis flap. The advantages such as to control infection, adequate restoration of ankle contour for normal foot wear, transfer of the long tendinous portion, and protective sensation makes this flap our first choice for reconstruction of soft tissue defect including the Achilles tendon.