Abductor digiti minimi flap is used to cover which wound?

Abductor digiti minimi flap is used to cover which wound?

• A. Lateral malleolar wound
• B. Medial malleolar wound
• C. Posterior heel wound
• D. Anterior tibial wound

Answer: (A)

The abductor digiti minimi flap is a local plantar-based option chosen to cover wounds at the lateral malleolus. The muscle sits on the lateral plantar aspect of the foot, and when raised as a flap it preserves its blood supply from the lateral plantar vessels. This allows the tissue to be rotated up to the lateral ankle, providing thin, pliable coverage that’s well suited for the lateral malleolar region and any exposed hardware or bone there. Because of its native position and arc of rotation, it reaches the lateral malleolus reliably, making it the best choice for wounds in that area. Wounds at the medial malleolus, posterior heel, or anterior tibial region typically require different flaps because the abductor digiti minimi flap does not have an optimal reach or tissue characteristics for those sites.

The abductor digiti minimi flap is a local plantar-based option chosen to cover wounds at the lateral malleolus. The muscle sits on the lateral plantar aspect of the foot, and when raised as a flap it preserves its blood supply from the lateral plantar vessels. This allows the tissue to be rotated up to the lateral ankle, providing thin, pliable coverage that’s well suited for the lateral malleolar region and any exposed hardware or bone there. Because of its native position and arc of rotation, it reaches the lateral malleolus reliably, making it the best choice for wounds in that area.

Wounds at the medial malleolus, posterior heel, or anterior tibial region typically require different flaps because the abductor digiti minimi flap does not have an optimal reach or tissue characteristics for those sites.