Der distal gestielte adipofasziale Suralislappen zur Rekonstruktion von Defekten der distalen unteren Extremität

Objective

Problematic tissue defects in the distal one-third of the lower leg represent a special challenge for the operative therapy. The distally based adipofascial sural artery flap is a safe and effective modification of the classical fasciocutaneous sural artery flap technique and makes the reconstruction in this problematic area more feasible. The surgical aim is soft tissue reconstruction with local tissue avoiding free tissue transfer.

Indications

Complex or chronic wounds (maximum width of 8 cm) of the distal lower leg with exposed bone, joints, tendons, and/or neurovascular structures, especially in cases of missing skin perforators.

Contraindications

Arterial vascular disease (stage III–IV), especially peroneal artery occlusion. Postthrombotic syndrome with occlusion of the small saphenous vein. Chronic lymphedema.

Surgical technique

Preparation of the vascular pedicle of the distally based flap (including small saphenous vein, sural artery and nerve), the adjacent crural fascia and the subcutaneous fat without a skin island. The pivot point is about 6 cm cranial to the malleolus lateralis. The flap can be raised proximally up to the heads of the gastrocnemius muscle. After harvesting the flap there will be a change in blood flow direction in the small saphenous vein. The donor site can be closed primarily. The flap is covered with meshed split skin graft at the end of surgery.

Postoperative management

Strict elevation of the extremity for 5 days, then flap conditioning.

Results

Between 1997 and 2012, this technique was used in 104 consecutive patients with soft tissue defects in the distal one-third of the lower leg. Flap survival was achieved 91 patients. In 2 patients amputation of the lower leg was necessary at the mid tibia level. In 3 cases flap necrosis occurred, requiring free tissue transfer.     

Die 180o-Propellerlappenplastik zur Defektdeckung im Bereich des distalen Unterschenkels

Objective

Operative technique of propeller flap reconstruction of soft tissue defects in the distal lower extremity. Soft tissue reconstruction of the distal third of the lower extremity with local, reliable perforator flaps avoiding free tissue transfer.

Indications

Complex wounds (maximum width of 6?cm) of the distal lower extremity with exposed bones, joints, tendons, and neurovascular structures.

Contraindications

Arterial vascular disease (stage III or IV), diabetes mellitus, postthrombotic syndrome, venous ulcers, chronic lymphedema, contusion of adjacent soft tissue, previous radiation, and lack of perforators

Surgical technique

The perforator represents the pivot point around which rotation of up to 180o of the subfascially harvested flap allows closure of the defect. The proximal donor site can be closed primarily up to a width of 6?cm.

Postoperative management

Strict elevation of the extremity for 5?days, then flap conditioning.

Results

This technique was used for soft tissue reconstruction in 17 patients. In one patient with diabetes, complete flap necrosis occurred, requiring amputation of the extremity. One case of epidermolysis healed without further surgery.     

Reverse pedicle-based greater saphenous neuro-veno-fasciocutaneous flap for reconstruction of lower leg and foot

Introduction

Paucity of soft tissue available locally for reconstruction of defects in leg and foot presents a challenge for reconstructive surgeon. The use of reverse pedicle-based greater saphenous neuro-veno-fasciocutaneous flap in reconstruction of lower leg and foot presents a viable alternative to free flap and cross-leg flap reconstruction. The vascular axis of the flap is formed by the vessels accompanying the saphenous nerve and the greater saphenous vein. We present here our experience with reverse saphenous neurocutaneous flap which provides a stable cover without the need to sacrifice any important vessel of leg.

Patients and methods

The study is conducted from March 2003 through Dec 2009 and included a total of 96 patients with defects in lower two-thirds of leg and foot. There are 74 males and 22 females. Distal pivot point was kept approximately 5–6 cm from tip of medial malleolus, thus preserving the distal most perforator, and the flap is turned and inserted into the defect. Donor site is covered with a split thickness skin graft. Postoperative follow-up period was 6 weeks to 6 months.

Result

The procedure is uneventful in 77 cases. Infection is observed in 14 cases. Partial flap necrosis occurs in 2 cases. Total flap necrosis is noted in 3 cases.

Conclusion

Reverse pedicle saphenous flap can be used to reconstruct defects of lower one-third leg and foot with a reliable blood supply with a large arc of rotation while having minimal donor site morbidity.     

Anatomical variability of the anterolateral thigh flap perforators between sexes: a cadaveric study

Background

Anterolateral thigh flap (ALTF) has gain popularity as a workhorse flap in the management of simple as well as complex tissue defects. The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences in ALTF’s perforators’ location in male and female human cadavers.

Methods

The study involved 30 fresh human cadavers of both sexes. A total of 60 flaps were examined. The flaps were raised as originally designed. After location of vessels, the distance from the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) to subsequent perforators was measured. Also, the kind of the perforator, its diameter and origin were marked. Perforators were designated according to Yu’s classification (A, B, and C). The perforators were divided into thin (<0.5 mm), medium (0.5–1 mm), and thick (>1 mm). Ratio of the ASIS–patella distance to the distance of a given perforator from the ASIS (AP rate) was calculated.

Results

The mean AP rate (perforator location) was different in both sexes. Mean AP rate in men was calculated as 0.498 ± 0.117, and in women, 0.559 ± 0.114. Differences in AP rate between female and male were statistically significant (t = ?3.144; p < 0.002). Mean flap thickness was 3.65 cm in women and 1.17 cm in men (t = ?14.444; p < 0.00001). In men, 63 perforators originated from descending branch, and seven perforators originated from oblique branch. In women, there were 67 and one, respectively.

Conclusions

In men, perforators are located closer to the ASIS in comparison to women. Clinically significant perforators (Φ > 0.5 mm), in majority of cases, occur in A and B positions. Thickness of the flap was higher in women. The oblique branch was more common in men.     

Les vaisseaux perforants de l’artère tibiale postérieure : étude anatomique pour une meilleure planification préopératoire du lambeau adipofascial médial de la jambe

Introduction

Distal tissue losses to the leg and the foot with exposure of the bone still poses cover issues. The adipofascial flap of the anteromedial side of the leg, as described by Heymans, is based on perforator vessels of the posterior tibial artery. It provides a good alternative to free flaps and enables all the tissue loss to the leg to be covered, from the knee down to the ankle. The aim of this paper is to specify the exact location of the perforator vessels, mainly the most distal, with the aim of guiding the surgeon in their pre-operative planning of the repair and thus make surgical dissection easier when raising the flap.

Materials and methods

This is a study reporting on 10 lower limb dissections on 5 cadavers (4 fresh legs and 6 legs that had been embalmed with formaldehyde; 5 right and 5 left). The dissections comprised of raising the flap and were carried out according to the following steps: 1) skin incision going from the anterior tuberosity of the tibia to the medial malleolus, 1 cm behind the anterior border of the tibia; 2) subcutaneous separation and exposure of the fatty tissue, while saving the saphenous vein and the saphenous nerve; 3) incision of the fascia then careful separation of the flap, locating the perforator vessels and specifying their locations. A clinical case is also reported by the authors to complete the illustration of raising the flap.

Results

During the dissections, 3 to 5 perforator vessels were found. The perforator vessels were located between 6 and 30 cm from the anterior tibial tuberosity (ATT): 1) the proximal perforators: these were located 6 cm under the ATT and pass between the anterior border of the tibia and the gastrocnemius muscle; 2) the middle perforators: these are located 10 to 20 cm under the ATT and pass between the soleus muscle and the flexor hallucis longus muscle; 3) the distal perforators: these are located 3.5 to 7 cm above the medial malleolus (on average 5.5 cm) and pass under the flexor digitorum longus and the flexor hallucis longus muscles.

Discussion

From this cadaver study, the consistency, the variety and the staged character of the perforator pedicles used as adipose tissue for the anteromedial side of the leg are clear. The pedicle is chosen based on the location of the tissue loss on the leg. The flap can thus cover the tissue loss from various locations form the knee to the heel. The use of a distal pedicle flap enables the problem of tissue loss coverage to be resolved to the distal quarter of the leg and the ankle and is a good alternative to free, neurocutaneous, supramalleolar, medial plantar and semi-soleus flaps. The results from this study are compatible with data from the literature and the measures used during this work will help in the location of the perforators during raising of the flap. From this work it is also possible to conclude that keeping a distance of 7 to 8 cm above the medial malleolus ensures that the most distal perforators are not missed.

Conclusion

The adipose flap from the anteromedial side of the leg presents several advantages: easy and quick to carry out, consistent, staged and a variety of perforator pedicles enabling tissue loss to the leg to be covered, from the knee to the heel. This anatomical study could be a support to aid in the preliminary location of the preferable sites of perforators, in particular the most distal, thus guiding the surgeon during their pre-operative planning and surgical dissection.     

Reconstruction of soft tissue defects in the Achilles tendon region with perforator-based fasciocutaneous flaps

Background

Reconstruction of soft tissue defects in the Achilles tendon region can be technically demanding. Perforator-based flaps can be an effective local solution, replacing like-for-like skin. We report our experience with perforator-based flap reconstruction of the Achilles tendon region with or without rupture of the Achilles tendon.

Methods

Between January 1999 and 2011, 11 patients had perforator-based flaps based on peroneal and posterior tibial perforators. There were six V-Y advancement flaps, four propeller flaps and one peninsular flap. The mean defect size was 19.3 (range 9–36)?cm². One patient had reconstruction of a composite Achilles tendon defect.

Results

There were no flap failures. Mean follow-up was 26.4 (range 3–120)?months. Post-operative complications included haematoma in one patient and dehiscence of wound because of further sloughing of the tendon—at the distal edge of a V-Y advancement flap. This patient needed a second local flap. There were no wound breakdowns, painful sensitivity or difficulty with walking. All patients who had skin and soft tissue reconstruction only were partially weight bearing by 2 weeks and gradually increased weight bearing and fully weight bearing by 4 weeks.

Conclusions

Perforator-based flaps are a robust method of covering small- to medium-sized defects in the Achilles tendon region. Presence of multiple perforators on either side of the Achilles tendon invites a number of flap designs, tailored to the defect. Level of Evidence: Level IV, Therapeutic study.     

Reverse sural flap with an adipofascial extension for reconstruction of soft tissue defects with dead spaces in the heel and ankle

Introduction

The reconstruction of soft tissue defects with dead spaces in the heel and ankle is challenging. This article describes our experience in the reconstruction of such defects using the reverse sural flap with an adipofascial extension.

Method

Reverse sural flaps with an adipofascial extension were used in 26 patients with soft tissue defects in the heel (n = 24) or ankle (n = 2). Extended adipofascial tissue was utilized to fill the dead space. The sizes of the adipofascial extensions varied from 2.0 to 5.0 cm in length and 4.0 to 12.5 cm in width.

Result

Twenty-three flaps survived completely, and lateral marginal necrosis occurred in three flaps. All the recipient-site wounds healed without any signs of infection. The reconstruction outcomes were excellent in 20 patients and good in 6 patients according to the criteria of Boyden et al.

Conclusion

The extended adipofascial tissue of the reverse sural flap improves closure of the dead spaces in soft tissue defects of the heel and ankle and thus provides beneficial conditions for the treatment of infection and reconstruction of both the function and contour of the soft tissue defects with dead spaces in the heel and ankle.

     

Laterale Supramalleolarlappenplastiken zur Defektdeckung im Sprunggelenks- und Fußbereich

Objective

Defect reconstruction by transposition of well-vascularized thin and pliable skin.

Indications

Defect coverage involving the antero- and dorsolateral distal one third of the lower leg, the dorsolateral and dorsomedial hindfoot and dorsal midfoot.

Contraindications

Severe peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD), previous trauma at the anterolateral aspect of the lower leg and foot.

Surgical technique

Lateral fasciocutaneous supramalleolar flap with orthograde blood flow, fasciocutaneous lateral supramalleolar perforator flap with orthograde blood flow, adipofascial lateral supramalleolar flap with orthograde blood flow, lateral fasciocutaneous supramalleolar flap based on the lateral tarsal artery with retrograde blood flow, lateral fasciocutaneous supramalleolar flap based on the anterolateral malleolar artery with retrograde blood flow according to Oberlin.

Postoperative management

“Tie over” dressing for grafting site for 5 days (healing of split/full-thickness skin graft), complete immobilization of the lower leg for 7 days in a dorsal plaster splint (ensure that there is no pressure on the flap), progressive increase of range of motion after 1 week, postoperative standardized compression therapy, combined with scar therapy (silicone sheet).

Results

Reliable, excellent functional and aesthetic results with thin skin in small to midsize defects. Increasing morbidity of grafting site in larger flaps and risk of neuroma when the superficial peroneal nerve was exposed.     

Die freie anterolaterale Oberschenkellappenplastik zur Weichteilrekonstruktion an den Extremitäten und im Kopf-Hals-Bereich

Objective

Stable soft tissue coverage of exposed bone, tendons, or hardware in the extremities or the head and neck area with a microsurgically grafted free flap.

Indications

Soft tissue defects measuring up to 42?×?15 cm in the extremities and the head and neck region.

Contraindications

Previous surgery or trauma in the anterolateral thigh region. Insufficient personnel and/or technical resources.

Surgical technique

A line is marked from the anterior superior iliac spine to the superolateral patella pole, approaching the intermuscular septum between the rectus femoris and vastus lateralis muscle. The flap is centred on this line and after medial incision the perforators of the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery are identified and dissected to their origin. Afterwards the lateral incision is carried out and flap dissection is completed. After flap transfer microsurgical anastomoses are performed and the flap is sutured to the recipient region.

Postoperative management

Flap monitoring for 1 week. Strict elevation and immobilization after flap transfer to the extremities; bedrest for 1 week. Thrombosis prophylaxis.

Results

From 2008–2011, 41 free anterolateral thigh flaps in 5 women and 36 men with an average age of 53 years (38–70 years) were performed for microsurgical soft tissue reconstruction. Total flap loss rate was 2.4?% and reoperation due to complications, e.g., hematoma, problems with microsurgical anastomosis, and partial flap loss was necessary in 13.8?% of patients.     

Primary thinning of the anterolateral thigh flap in Caucasians is a safe technique

Background

The anterolateral thigh (ALT) perforator flap is a well-described and versatile flap, regularly used for resurfacing and reconstructing soft tissue defects, but it is often too bulky to produce an aesthetically satisfactory result. Although primary thinning of the ALT has been successful in Eastern populations, studies have demonstrated that this may be inadvisable in Caucasians. This is the biggest clinical study demonstrating the clinical safety of primary thinning of ALT flaps in Caucasians.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was performed between January 2009 and August 2011 on 57 patients (mean age 43) undergoing ALT free flap reconstruction by three surgeons. They were all thinned via sharp dissection using loupe magnification except for 1–2 cm around the perforator by removing the larger fat globules of deep fascia and preserving the superficial fat layer. The resultant flap thickness was approximately 6 mm.

Results

In 77 % of cases, the flap was used for lower limb, 16 % for upper limb and 7 % for head and neck reconstruction. The mean flap surface area was 124 cm². There was one flap loss (1.8 %) and three flaps returned to theatre for perioperative complications.

Conclusions

Careful primary thinning of ALT flaps is safe in Caucasian populations and can achieve improved cosmetic results. Level of Evidence: Level IV, risk/prognostic study.     

The distally based lateral sural neuro-lesser saphenous veno-fasciocutaneous flap: anatomical basis and clinical applications

Background

Soft tissue management around the lower third of the leg and foot presents a considerable challenge to the plastic surgeon. The aim of this research was to investigate the anatomical relationships of artery, nerve, vein and other adjacent structures in the posterolateral region of the calf, and our experience with using a distally based island flap pedicled with the lateral sural nerve and the lesser saphenous vein for soft tissue reconstruction of lower third of leg, foot, and ankle defects in 15 patients.

Materials and methods

Five fresh cadavers (ten lower limbs) were infused with colored red latex. The origin of the nutrient vessel of the lesser saphenous vein and the lateral sural nerve was identified. Based on the anatomical studies, an island flap supplied by the vascular axis of the lesser saphenous vein and the lateral sural nerve was designed for clinical reparative applications in 15 cases.

Results

The nutrient vessel of the lesser saphenous vein and the lateral sural nerve originates from the superficial sural artery, musculocutaneous perforators of the posterior tibial artery, and septocutaneous perforators of the peroneal artery in different segment of the calf. Meanwhile, these vessels have many sub-branches nourishing subcutaneous tissue and skin, form a favorable vascular chain around the nerve and the vein, and also communicate with vascular plexus of superficial and deep fascia. Among 15 flaps, 13 showed complete survival (86.66 %), while marginal flap necrosis occurred in one patient (6.67 %) and distal wound dehiscence in another (6.67 %). Their appearance and function were satisfactory, with feeling maintained in the heel and lateral side of the foot.

Conclusions

The distally based flap pedicled with the lateral sural nerve and lesser saphenous vein was a reliable source for repairing soft tissue defects in the lower leg and foot due to its advantages of infection control, high survival rate, and sufficient blood supply without the need to sacrifice a major blood vessel.     

游离腓动脉穿支筋膜瓣修复手部皮肤缺损

目的 探讨应用游离腓动脉穿支筋膜瓣修复手部软组织缺损,减少供区损伤的方法和临床效果.方法 2007年12月至2009年10月,对6例手部皮肤缺损患者,应用游离腓动脉肌皮穿支筋膜瓣进行修复,切取面积为5.0 cm×4.5 cm～10.0 cm×7.0 cm,以肌皮穿支为蒂.动脉血管蒂与受区血管采用端侧吻合,受区筋膜瓣行断层植皮覆盖.供区创面直接缝合.结果 术后6例筋膜瓣全部存活;术后7 d,筋膜表面植皮成活大于90%4例,80%2例.随访时间为3～12个月,1例皮瓣臃肿,术后3个月行皮瓣修整术;5例皮瓣略臃肿,外观满意.小腿供区仅留线条瘢痕.结论 腓动脉穿支筋膜瓣是在腓动脉穿支皮瓣基础上的改良,目的 是减少供区创伤,改善小腿外观.筋膜瓣本身可以填充组织缺损,为功能重建提供条件.     

Perforator plus flaps: Optimizing results while preserving function and esthesis

Background:

The tenuous blood supply of traditional flaps for wound cover combined with collateral damage by sacrifice of functional muscle, truncal vessels, or nerves has been the bane of reconstructive procedures. The concept of perforator plus flaps employs dual vascular supply to flaps. By safeguarding perforators along with supply from its base, robust flaps can be raised in diverse situations. This is achieved while limiting collateral damage and preserving nerves, vessels, and functioning muscle with better function and aesthesis.

Materials and Methods:

The perforator plus concept was applied in seven different clinical situations. Functional muscle and fasciocutaneous flaps were employed in five and adipofascial flaps in two cases, primarily involving lower extremity defects and back. Adipofascial perforator plus flaps were employed to provide cover for tibial fracture in one patients and chronic venous ulcer in another.

Results:

All flaps survived without any loss and provided long-term stable cover, both over soft tissue and bone. Functional preservation was achieved in all cases where muscle flaps were employed with no clinical evidence of loss of power. There was no sensory loss or significant oedema in or distal to the flap in both cases where neurovascular continuity was preserved during flap elevation. Fracture union and consolidation were satisfactory. One patient had minimal graft loss over fascia which required application of stored grafts with subsequent take. No patient required re-operation.

Conclusions:

Perforator plus concept is holistic and applicable to most flap types in varied situations. It permits the exercise of many locoregional flap options while limiting collateral functional damage. Aesthetic considerations are also addressed while raising adipofascial flaps because of no appreciable donor defects. With quick operating times and low failure risk, these flaps can be a better substitute to traditional flaps and at times even free tissue transfers.     

Anterolateral thigh adipofascial flap for the restoration of facial contour deformities

From January 2000 to May 2008, 50 patients with facial contour deformities underwent soft tissue augmentation with 51 anterolateral thigh (ALT) adipofascial flaps. Fifty flaps survived with no complications; partial fat necrosis occurred in one flap. Mean follow‐up was 16 months. Flaps ranged from 10 × 6 cm to 20 × 12 cm. Perforators were found in 50 flaps, 43 musculocutaneous perforators (84.3%) and 7 septocutaneous perforators (13.7%), with a mean of 2.5 perforators per flap. In one flap (2.0%), no perforator was found. In this case, we used an anteromedial thigh adipofascial flap using the medial branch of the descending branch of lateral circumflex femoral artery as the vascular pedicle. Relatively symmetric facial contour was achieved in 20 cases. In 30 cases, adjunctive procedures including flap debulking, fat injection, and resuspension were necessary, and 23 patients achieved satisfactory outcomes. We conclude that the ALT adipofascial flap can be successfully elevated and transplanted for the correction of soft tissue facial defects. This flap can provide tissue to fill large defects, and posses the qualities of pliability, an excellent blood supply, ease of suspension and fixation, and minimal morbidity at the donor site. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery 30:368–375, 2010.     

Freestyle facial perforator flaps—a safe reconstructive option for moderate-sized facial defects

Background

Perforators are a constant anatomical finding in the facial area and any known flap can in theory be based on the first perforator located at the flap rotation axis.

Methods

A case series of single stage reconstruction of moderate sized facial defects using 21 perforator based local flaps in 19 patients from 2008–2013.

Results

A sufficient perforator was located in every case and the flap rotated along its axis (76 %) or advanced (24 %). Reconstruction was successfully achieved with a high self reported patient satisfaction. Two minor complications occurred early on in the series and corrective procedures were performed in four patients.

Conclusions

The random facial perforator flap seems to be a good and reliable option for the reconstruction of facial subunits, especially the periorbital, nasal and periocular area with a minimal morbidity and a pleasing result in a one stage outpatient setting. Level of Evidence: Level IV, therapeutic study     

Clinical and anatomical study of the distally based lesser saphenous veno-lateral sural neurocutaneous flap for lower extremity coverage

Background

The distally based sural flap has been widely and successfully used to reconstruct soft tissue defects of the distal third of the lower leg and foot. Sensory loss and venous congestion are possible complications of this treatment, but there has been limited research focused on improving the sensory loss and veneous congestion. This study aimed to determine the spatial relationship between the lesser saphenous vein and the cutaneous nerves, the venous anatomy in the lower leg, and the nerve distribution in the lateral dorsum of the foot, and we presented our clinical experience.

Materials and methods

Twenty freshly amputated lower limbs were dissected in the 2 h following amputation. The lesser saphenous vein, medial/lateral sural nerve, and sural nerve were identified. Based on the anatomical studies, an island flap supplied by the vascular axis of the lesser saphenous vein and the lateral sural nerve was designed for clinical reparative applications in 24 cases.

Results

We indicated the spatial relationship between the lesser saphenous vein and the cutaneous nerves and the venous anatomy in the lower leg. Among 24 flaps, 21 showed complete survival (87.5 %), while marginal flap necrosis occurred in two patients (8.33 %) and distal wound dehiscence in another (4.17 %). No symptomatic neuromas were observed. Their appearance and functioning were satisfactory, with filling maintained in the heel and lateral side of the foot.

Conclusion

The distally based lesser saphenous veno-lateral sural neurocutaneous flap provides effective coverage of variable-sized soft tissue defects on the lower third of the lower leg and foot, without sensory loss and venous congestion.     

An assessment of the anatomical basis of the thoracoacromial artery perforator flap

BACKGROUND:

Musculocutaneous perforator flaps offer advantages over musculocutaneous flaps, including reduced donor site morbidity, more predictable reconstruction of soft tissue deformities, and a wider variety of flap options. Perforator flaps are becoming increasingly popular for many applications. In the present study, we set out to examine the various perforators of the thoracoacromial axis through the pectoralis major (PM) muscle with respect to their suitability for transfer to the head and neck region as a pedicled flap.

METHODS:

A series of 10 fresh cadavers were injected with lead oxide, gelatin and water (250 mL/kg) through the femoral vessels. The cadavers were cooled and the integument was removed. Perforating vessels from the underlying muscles were marked and the resulting angiograms of the integument and deep tissues were compared with the dissection notes describing the course, size and distribution of the perforating vessels.

RESULTS:

The perforators through the PM muscle to the overlying skin included three regional groups: perforators of the thoracoacromial axis; perforators of the medial intercostal vessels; and perforators of the lateral thoracic artery. The major group of perforators supplying the overlying skin was from the intercostal vessels. However, the thoracoacromial axis did consistently give rise to perforators in the upper portion of the PM muscle. In particular, there were reliable perforators from the clavicular and deltoid branches of the thoracoacromial artery.

DISCUSSION:

The present study illustrates the potential clinical applications of a series of perforator flaps based on the thoracoacromial axis, which may be useful in head and neck reconstructive surgery.     

Distally based posterior tibial artery perforator flap for coverage of defects around the ankle,heel and lower third of leg

Introduction

Reconstruction of distal leg region remained a difficult task. Free flaps had long been considered as a gold standard for these regions. However, due to various limitations of the free flap, a local fasciocutaneous flap could be considered as a good alternative. In this study, the use of a distally based posterior tibial artery perforator flap had been evaluated in the coverage of defects around the ankle, heel, and lower third of a leg. The study also outlined the donor-site morbidity and the technical details of the surgical procedure.

Methods

In this prospective study, a total of 42 patients with distal lower leg defects were included. The defects were located on the lower third of the leg (n?=?23), ankle (n?=?11), and heel (n?=?8). Reconstruction was performed using distally pedicled posterior tibial artery perforator flaps. Patients were evaluated in terms of viability of the flap, functional gain, and donor-site morbidity. The technical details of the operative procedure have also been outlined.

Results

All the flaps survived well, with the exception of one patient, who experienced complete flap loss. Minor complications were, however, noted in four other patients: One patient developed superficial epidermolysis; one developed postoperative venous congestion, which subsided within 3 days by conservative means, and in two patients, partial loss of the skin graft occurred at the donor site but healed completely with dressing and antibiotics. The patients were followed up for an average period of 6 months, ranging from 1 to 13 months. Donor-site morbidity was minimal.

Conclusions

It was concluded that the distally based pedicled posterior tibial artery perforator flap was a reliable, easy, less time-consuming, and versatile procedure for covering the defects around the ankle, heel, and lower third a leg. Level of Evidence: Level IV, therapeutic study