ABSTRACT
Background: Distal limb soft tissue injuries are problematic defects of distal limb
Objective: To assess the success rate of reverse sural fascio-cutaneous flap for the coverage of soft tissue defect of distal limb
Methodology: This cross sectional study was conducted at Department of Plastic surgery, Sheikh Zayed Medical College/Hospital, Rahim Yar Khan from 1[st] May to 31[st] December, 2016. Total 40 patients having defects of soft tissues involving lower 3rd of leg were selected for this study. Reverse sural fasciocutaneous flap was designed on posterior aspect of affected leg based upon septocutaneous perforator vessels and placed over defect, anchored with vicryl 4/0 and half buried mattress suture. Success of flap survival was assessed after 4 months
Results: Age range in our study was from 5-60 years and mean age was 34+/- 17 years. Success [in term of flap survival] of treatment was noted among 36 [90%] patients. Male patients were 30 [75%] and female patients were 10 [25%]. Cause of defect was road traffic accidents in 24 [60%] cases, followed by wheel spoke injury in 9 [22%] and gun shot in 7 [18%] patients
Conclusion: This study found that perforator based sural flap has high success rate and may be used as a first line therapy for the coverage of defects of soft tissues of distal limb