ABSTRACT
Objective:To investigate the methods and effect of wound repair after partial skin and soft tissue necrosis of middle and lower leg fracture surgery.Methods:Three kinds of island flaps were used to repair the wound after skin and soft tissue necrosis of middle and lower leg fracture surgery in 22 patients. Nine patients were repaired with sural neurotrophic fascial flaps, 7 patients with posterior tibial artery perforator flaps, and 6 patients with peroneal artery perforator flaps. The area of wound defect was 3.0 cm×3.8 cm to 12.0 cm×9.0 cm. The donor area was directly sutured, or free skin grafted.Results:All patients were the cases after partial skin and soft tissue necrosis of middle and lower leg fracture surgery, with bone, internal fixation plate or tendon exposed. The skin flaps in 21 patients were survived, and the wound healed by first intention. The sural neurotrophic fascial flap necrosis in one patient was due to hematoma and entrapment in vascular pedicle. After 5 to 24 months (mean 9 months) follow-up, texture of flaps was good, no ulcer occured, and outlook of the repaired wound was satisfied. The sutured wound of donor site and skin-grafting had healed by first stage intention.Conclusions:Repair with island flap is an ideal way to the defect wound after skin and soft tissue necrosis of middle and lower leg fracture surgery.