Utilizing a crossover reverse sural artery flap for soft tissue reconstruction of the plantar forefoot after a severe degloving injury

Extensive soft tissue defects involving the weight-bearing areas of the plantar aspect of the foot often require coverage with flaps. The options often include free flaps, free muscle flaps with split-thickness skin grafting, or local flaps. When presented with high-energy-induced soft tissue injuries of the foot, choices become narrow, secondary to the associated zone of injury. Free flaps require a viable recipient vessel suitable for microvascular anastomosis. Split-thickness skin grafts applied to the plantar aspect of the foot are prone to persistent breakdown. Local flaps if available are useful for coverage of plantar soft tissue defects. However, when local flaps of the affected limb are compromised or extension is not sufficient for coverage, crossover leg and foot flaps become invaluable. The reported cases of crossover sural artery flaps are sparse. To the best of the authors' knowledge, the few reported cases of crossover leg and sural artery flaps were described to provide soft tissue coverage over the heel and leg. The authors report a case of a crossover reverse sural artery flap for soft tissue coverage to the plantar aspect of the forefoot after a high-energy-induced degloving injury.     

腓肠浅动脉逆行岛状筋膜皮瓣急诊修复下肢创伤性皮肤软组织缺损

目的探讨急诊一期修复小腿中下段及足部创伤性软组织缺损的方法. 方法 2000年2月～2003年12月,应用同侧腓肠浅动脉逆行岛状筋膜皮瓣急诊一期修复小腿及足部皮肤软组织缺损18例,并分析其可行性及手术注意点;切取皮瓣4 cm×5 cm～11 cm×12 cm. 结果除2例皮瓣远端1/3发绀并坏死经换药Ⅱ期愈合外,其余皮瓣均Ⅰ期愈合.随访1～2年,有2例皮瓣臃肿,其余外观满意,功能均恢复正常. 结论腓肠浅动脉逆行岛状筋膜皮瓣急诊修复创伤性皮肤软组织缺损,具有早期闭合创面、促进早期功能锻炼的优点,尤其适合于急诊修复小腿下1/3及其足踝部的皮肤软组织缺损.     

两套血供的小腿外侧皮瓣逆行转位修复足踝部软组织缺损

目的 介绍两套血供的改良小腿外侧皮瓣逆行转位修复老年人足踝部软组织缺损的临床体会。 方法 对足踝部软组织缺损、创面骨肌腱外露、需作皮瓣修复的老年病例,在传统的小腿外侧逆行岛状皮瓣及穿支带腓肠神经营养血管逆行岛状皮瓣的基础上,利用小腿外侧皮瓣中下段穿出的骨皮动脉皮支及腓肠神经营养血管皮瓣的供血穿支均发自腓动脉的特点,将皮瓣设计于小腿后外侧,用兼顾传统小腿外侧皮瓣及腓肠神经营养血管皮瓣在供m范围的重叠区域而形成两套血供的改良小腿外侧逆行岛状皮瓣修复。结果临床共应用11例,所有皮瓣术后均顺利成活,供区植皮愈合良好,经3～9个月随访,6例皮瓣外观满意,踝关节伸屈功能正常,基本恢复行走功能;5例合并伸肌腱缺损者3个月后作肌腱移植重建后恢复行走功能。 结论 采用两套血供的改良小腿外侧皮瓣逆行转位是修复老年人足踝部软组织缺损的好方法。     

Reversed superficial sural artery adipofasciocutaneous flap: is it a versatile flap?

One of the major problems faced by the reconstructive surgeon is how to cover soft tissue defects having exposed bones and tendons in the lower third of the leg, ankle, heel, and foot. The distally based superficial sural artery flap is an effective alternative for such reconstructions. The distally based superficial sural artery adipofasciocutaneous flap is supplied by the perforators of peroneal artery as a reverse flow flap. From 1999 to 2004, we used a distally based superficial sural artery flap for the reconstruction of the ankle heel and foot in 11 patients. The largest flap used was 15 cm in width and 18 cm in length. Nine flaps survived completely and two necrosed partially. Mild edema and congestion were observed in most of the flaps, but these observed conditions improved with time. The main advantages included reliable blood supply without sacrificing any major artery of the limb and easy, simple, and quick elevation.     

Reverse peroneal artery flap for large defects of ankle and foot: A reliable reconstructive technique

Background:

Large soft tissue defects around the lower third of the leg, ankle and foot always have been challenging to reconstruct. Reverse sural flaps have been used for this problem with variable success. Free tissue transfer has revolutionised management of these problem wounds in selected cases.

Materials and Methods:

Twenty-two patients with large defects around the lower third of the leg, ankle and foot underwent reconstruction with reverse peroneal artery flap (RPAF) over a period of 7 years. The mean age of these patients was 41.2 years.

Results:

Of the 22 flaps, 21 showed complete survival without even marginal necrosis. One flap failed, where atherosclerotic occlusion of peroneal artery was evident on the table. Few patients had minor donor site problems that settled with conservative management.

Conclusions:

RPAF is a very reliable flap for the coverage of large soft tissue defects of the heel, sole and dorsum of foot. This flap adds versatility in planning and execution of this extended reverse sural flap.KEY WORDS: Distally based peroneal flaps, extended reverse sural flaps, foot reconstruction, peroneal artery, reverse peroneal flaps     

Reverse sural island flap elevated from the proximal third of the leg: its reliability and versatility in distal leg and foot reconstruction

Soft tissue loss around the distal third of the leg and foot has remained a considerable challenge. A reconstructive option providing supple tissue, while avoiding the complexity and the high technical demand of free flaps is a welcome alternative. The sural island flap largely satisfies these criteria. A number of authors have suggested raising the skin island from the junction of the middle and upper third of the leg to improve its reliability. However, raising the flap over the upper third of the leg may provide a larger amount of tissue and often makes dissection of its most distal perforator unnecessary. This study aims to assess the reliability and versatility of the reverse sural island flap elevated from the proximal third of the leg for soft tissue reconstruction of the distal leg and foot. Consecutive patients with soft tissue loss around the distal third of the leg and the ankle region requiring flap cover who met the inclusion criteria were managed using the distally based sural island flap elevated from the upper third of the leg. The outcome has been analysed. There were 15 patients, 11 males and four females with an age range of 22 to 54 years. Thirteen patients had distal third open tibial fractures while two had open calcaneal injuries. Nine resulted from motorcycle accidents, four from motor vehicular accidents while two were gunshot wounds. Flap sizes ranged from 10 × 7 cm to 22 × 12 cm. Thirteen flaps had full survival while two flaps had partial necrosis. All donor sites were skin grafted with 95% to 100% graft take. The use of the reverse sural island flap elevated from the proximal third of the leg for coverage of soft tissue defects of the distal leg and foot is safe and reliable in our experience. It provides a sizeable amount of soft tissue while maintaining a robust blood supply.     

腓肠神经营养血管蒂逆行岛状皮瓣修复足部软组织缺损

目的　观察应用腓肠神经营养血管蒂逆行岛状皮瓣修复足部软组织缺损的临床效果。方法　对 1 8例足部软组织缺损患者 ,以其腓肠神经营养血管为蒂 ,于小腿后侧切取皮瓣逆行转移修复缺损区。观察术后患者皮瓣成活情况及供区创面愈合情况。　结果　术后皮瓣均成活 ,切取的最大皮瓣为 1 0 .5cm× 1 6.5cm。供区创面愈合良好 ,除外观略受影响外活动功能基本正常。　结论　腓肠神经营养血管蒂逆行岛状皮瓣切取简便 ,移植成活率高 ,是修复足部软组织缺损的较好方法。     

腓肠神经营养血管岛状皮瓣临床应用

目的探讨腓肠神经营养血管岛状皮瓣临床应用特点。方法应用腓肠神经营养血管岛状皮瓣对小腿、踝周、足部皮肤缺损伴骨肌腱外露21例进行修复，其中4例修复前足背顺行皮瓣5例，逆行皮瓣16例。同时观察和测量腓肠神经的走行及合成以及腓动脉穿支的发出部位。结果21例皮瓣全部存活。腓肠神经（18例）吻合型12例，单干型4例，双干型2例，腓肠内侧皮神经与腓肠外侧皮神经的交通支吻合点在踝上11～14cm者12例，其吻合点越低者，腓肠神经越短。腓动脉穿支18例其中15例在踝上4～7cm范围内，另3例最高分支点分别位于踝上10、11、11．5cm。结论腓肠神经营养血管岛状皮瓣，切取简单，不损伤主要血管，是修复小腿、踝周、足部皮肤缺损骨肌腱外露的理想供区，修复足跟时必须吻合神经。     

腓肠神经营养血管逆行皮瓣修复小腿下段及足部组织缺损

目的 了解腓肠神经营养血管逆行皮瓣修复小腿下段及足部组织缺损的临床效果.方法 1997年6月-2007年8月,笔者对56例小腿下段及足部组织缺损患者(小腿下段软组织缺损10例;创面感染,胫、腓骨骨折外露,骨坏死38例;足部组织缺损、贴骨瘢痕、骨髓炎8例)的创面,采用腓动脉穿支供血的腓肠神经营养血管逆行岛状皮瓣(46例)或肌皮瓣(10例)进行修复.皮瓣面积5 cm ×4 cm～22 cm × 16 cm,供瓣区直接拉拢缝合或行游离植皮封闭.结果 其中55例患者术后皮瓣完全成活,创面愈合.随访3～6个月无任何并发症,皮瓣质地优良,外观满意,患者行走正常,但皮瓣感觉功能恢复欠佳.1例患者治疗时为保留下肢长度,未将部分坏死胫骨去除,术后1个月皮肤破溃,经再次手术后创面愈合.结论 腓肠神经营养血管逆行岛状皮瓣或肌皮瓣移植术,是修复小腿下段及足部软组织缺损的较佳方法.     

Experience with the distally based sural neurofasciocutaneous flap supplied by the terminal perforator of peroneal vessels for ankle and foot reconstruction

The distally based sural fasciocutaneous flap has been proved an excellent option for coverage of the soft tissue defects of the lower third of the leg, ankle, and foot. In this article, we reported on a series of foot and ankle reconstructions with a distally based sural neurofasciocutaneous flap supplied by the terminal perforating branch of the peroneal artery. The vascular pedicle of the flap includes the terminal perforator branch of the peroneal artery and concomitant veins. The pivot point is approximately 5 cm above the tip of lateral malleolus. Fifteen patients with soft tissue defects of the foot and/or ankle underwent the procedures of reconstruction. The flaps were designed with the size measuring 8 x 9 cm to 13 x 31 cm. Thirteen flaps survived completely and 2 with partial or margin necrosis. Our experience has demonstrated that this sural flap with a thin perforator pedicle can be easily rotated, used for coverage of a large tissue defect including the forefoot area, and provide a good texture match and contour for the recipient area.     

以腓动脉远端穿支血管供血为蒂的小腿后外侧（复合）组织瓣的临床应用

目的探讨腓动脉穿支供血的小腿后外侧（复合）组织瓣在足踝部软组织缺损、骨感染修复中的临床效果。方法2007年3月至2010年9月,对23例足踝部软组织（跟腱）缺损及骨感染的患者,设计以腓动脉终末穿支为血管蒂,沿腓肠神经营养血管轴线切取皮瓣转位修复小腿下段及足踝部皮肤软组织缺损。采用腓动脉下段穿支供血携带腓肠神经逆行岛状（复合）皮瓣或肌皮瓣进行修复。皮瓣切取范围3cm×5cm～10cm×18cm。结果术后21例皮瓣完全成活,创面一期愈合,2例皮瓣边缘部分坏死,后经过二期扩创游离植皮后痊愈,平均住院时间21d。随访2～9个月,皮瓣质地优良,外观满意,无色素沉着、溃疡,皮瓣感觉恢复约S2,跟腱重建患者踝关节达功能位,恢复了劳动能力。结论以腓动脉远端穿支血管供血为蒂的小腿后外侧（复合）组织瓣血供可靠,变异率低,切取方便,供区隐蔽,可恢复部分感觉,且不牺牲肢体主要血管,是修复小腿中下部、踝关节周围及足部软组织缺损的一种良好方法。尤其对修复足踝部骨外露,骨髓炎,跟腱缺损,复合组织瓣（携带跟腱及肌肉）是一种较好的选择。     

Distally based perforator sural flaps for foot and ankle reconstruction

Distally based perforator sural flaps from the posterolateral or posteromedial lower leg aspect are initially a neurofasciocutaneous flap that can be transferred reversely to the foot and ankle region with no need to harvest and sacrifice the deep major artery. These flaps are supplied by a perforating artery issued from the deep peroneal artery or the posterior tibial artery, and the chain-linked adipofascial neurovascular axis around the sural/saphenous nerve. It is a versatile and reliable technique for soft-tissue reconstruction of the heel and ankle region with 180-degrees rotation. In this paper, we present its developing history, vascular basis, surgical techniques including flap design and elevation, flap variations in pedicle and component, surgical indications, and illustrative case reports with different perforating vessels as pivot points for foot and ankle coverage.     

腓肠浅动脉逆行岛状筋膜皮瓣的临床应用

目的　证实腓肠浅动脉逆行岛状筋膜皮瓣修复小腿下段及足部皮肤软组织缺损的可行性。方法　在小腿后侧设计及切取腓肠浅动脉岛状筋膜皮瓣 ,逆行移转修复 15例小腿下段及足部皮肤软组织缺损。皮瓣最大面积 10cm× 8cm ,最小 5cm× 4cm。结果　 15例筋膜皮瓣全部成活 ,经 6～ 18个月的随访 ,效果良好。结论　腓肠浅动脉逆行岛状筋膜皮瓣血供可靠 ,不牺牲知名动脉 ,操作简便 ,为修复小腿下段及足部皮肤软组织缺损提供了一个新方法。     

Superficial sural artery flap--a study in 40 cases.

The distally based superficial sural artery flap is an important skin flap that can be used for soft tissue defects of the distal lower limb and proximal foot. It is a versatile flap, has a wide arc of rotation and requires minimal expertise. Forty patients with soft tissue defects of the lower leg due to various causes were treated with sural flaps and the results are discussed. The flap was either used as a long pedicled flap or islanded to treat patients with ages ranging from 4 to 75 years. The arc of rotation of the flap was N 90-180 degrees with minimal flap loss in most of the cases. On this basis we would like to reintroduce the safe and reliable use of the sural flap to treat large soft tissue defects of the distal lower limb and the proximal foot.     

腓肠内侧动脉穿支蒂皮瓣修复膝和小腿上1/3软组织缺损

目的 报道应用腓肠内侧动脉穿支带蒂皮瓣修复膝和小腿上1/3软组织缺损的临床应用效果. 方法 应用腓肠内侧动脉穿支带蒂皮瓣修复膝和小腿上1/3软组织缺损16例.其中,髌前4例,前外侧2例,前内侧l例;小腿上1/3 9例.供区均选用同侧小腿.结果 手术后经过顺利,1例术后发生表浅感染,经更换敷料逐渐愈合,皮瓣全部成活.随访3.0个月至3.5年,平均1.7年.供区愈合良好,未见明显的供区功能障碍.受区皮瓣质地、厚薄及颜色均较好,功能恢复较好,取得了较满意的效果. 结论 腓肠内侧动脉穿支带蒂皮瓣以腓肠内侧动脉的肌皮穿支为血供,具有血供丰富、血管解剖恒定、血管蒂长以及皮瓣较薄的优点.带蒂移植适宜修复膝和小腿上1/3软组织缺损.     

不同类型皮瓣修复足踝部软组织缺损的临床效果

目的探讨不同类型皮瓣修复足踝部软组织缺损的临床效果。方法对30例足踝部软组织缺损患者进行皮瓣修复,其中足底内侧皮瓣修复足跟部软组织缺损7例,股前外侧皮瓣修复足背、足内侧软组织缺损12例,腓肠神经营养血管皮瓣修复足踝部软组织缺损11例。结果患者均获得随访,时间1~5年。29例皮瓣完全成活,仅1例股前外侧皮瓣发生坏死,二次手术给予植皮。13例患者因皮瓣臃肿,二期行皮瓣修整术;2例患者因术后长期从事体力劳动足跟部发生溃疡;其余患者皮瓣质地柔软,踝关节功能恢复满意。供区均未出现并发症。足底内侧皮瓣修复患者皮瓣感觉功能完全恢复,股前外侧皮瓣修复患者感觉均部分恢复,5例吻合神经腓肠神经营养血管皮瓣患者于术后3~5个月感觉功能完全恢复,剩余患者感觉功能部分恢复。结论足底内侧皮瓣、股前外侧皮瓣、腓肠神经营养血管皮瓣各有优缺点,应根据足踝部软组织缺损面积、部位的不同选择合适的皮瓣,以提高皮瓣成活率,重建肢体功能。     

逆行腓肠神经营养血管皮瓣治疗小腿及足踝部软组织缺损

目的：观察应用腓肠神经营养血管皮瓣修复小腿下段及足踝部创伤性软组织缺损的临床效果。方法：以逆行腓肠神经营养血管皮瓣修复小腿下段及足踝部因创伤致软组织缺损187例。皮瓣最大面积14cm×13cm,最小4cm×3cm。结果：修复小腿下段113例皆获成功,伤口1期愈合,11例皮肤边缘坏死,换药治愈,4例坏死面积较大,经换药,邮票植皮且治愈,足及踝部修复54例,伤口1期愈合,5例局部坏死,经换药后获治愈。结论：应用逆行腓肠肌神经营养血管皮瓣可以有效修复小腿及足踝部皮肤缺损,此皮瓣血运丰富,手术操作简便。     

Heel Coverage Using a Distally Based Sural Artery Fasciocutaneous Cross-leg Flap: Report of a Small Series

One of the goals in the management of severe open injuries of the foot is to obtain adequate soft tissue coverage. In extreme conditions of pedal soft tissue loss, in patients who are not satisfactory candidates for local or free-tissue transfer, the cross-leg flap remains an option for surgical reconstruction. We present the results of 7 patients with multiple lower limb open fractures associated with ipsilateral degloving injuries, and/or secondary pressure ulcers of the hindfoot with exposure of the calcaneus, in which a distally based sural artery island fasciocutaneous flap, elevated from the contralateral leg and crossed to the injured side, was used to repair the soft tissue defect of the recipient heel. All of the flaps survived and the soft tissues healed uneventfully, thereby providing satisfactory and stable coverage of the calcaneal tuberosity. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report in which this technique has been used to repair hindfoot soft tissue defects associated with complex bone and vascular injuries of the lower limb in polytrauma patients. Level of Clinical Evidence: 4.     

带蒂腓肠浅动脉岛状皮瓣修复小腿外伤性皮肤缺损

目的　为了寻找修复小腿下段及踝足部皮肤缺损较好的皮瓣。方法　对21例小腿行腓动脉插管美蓝灌注、造影、显微解剖，了解腓肠浅动脉走行。手术16例，小腿下段6例、足跟部7例、足背部1例、踝部2例，皮瓣完全成活。结果　腓肠浅动脉在小腿中上段穿出深筋膜与腓肠神经伴行并发出许多营养支，营养小腿2/3后侧皮肤。结论　该皮瓣解剖恒定、血供良好、手术简单，Ⅰ期完成手术。它是修复小腿下段、踝部、足部皮肤缺损较好的皮瓣。     

带蒂腓肠浅动脉岛状皮瓣修复小腿外伤性皮肤缺损

目的　为了寻找修复小腿下段及踝足部皮肤缺损较好的皮瓣。方法　对 2 1例小腿行腓动脉插管美蓝灌注、造影、显微解剖 ,了解腓肠浅动脉走行。手术 16例 ,小腿下段 6例、足跟部 7例、足背部 1例、踝部 2例 ,皮瓣完全成活。结果　腓肠浅动脉在小腿中上段穿出深筋膜与腓肠神经伴行并发出许多营养支 ,营养小腿 2 / 3后侧皮肤。结论　该皮瓣解剖恒定、血供良好、手术简单 ,Ⅰ期完成手术。它是修复小腿下段、踝部、足部皮肤缺损较好的皮瓣