ABSTRACT
Objective:To investigate the effect of V-Y advancement flap in the treatment of foot spoke injury in children.Methods:Clinical data of 8 patients, including 6 males and 2 females aged 2.5-5.0 (mean, 3.5) years old with foot spoke injury admitted to the Third Ward of Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Xingtai General Hospital of North China Medical and Health Group from June 2019 to October 2021, were analysed retrospectively. Soft tissue defect around achilles tendon was 2.0 cm×3.0 cm-2.5 cm×4.0 cm. The size of the flap was 2.5 cm×3.5 cm-3.0 cm×4.5 cm. All patients underwent emergency debridement followed by V-Y advancement flap repair, and direct suture of the skin and tissues at donor site. The blood supply, survival and healing of flap of donor site were observed after operation. The shape of the heel and the functional recovery of the affected limb were examined on regular basis at the outpatient clinic.Results:All 8 flaps survived and the wounds had primary healing. The patients entered the follow-up for 6-12 months, with an average of 8 months. The texture and colour of the flap recipient site were good. The shape of the flap pedicle, the donor site and recipient site were satisfactory. The shoes wearing of the affected foot were not affected after surgery. The ankle function was good. The average extension was 25.8°(20°-30°), plantar flexion 32.5°(25°-40°), and the foot sensation and motion were close to normal. The average foot function score on American Association on Foot and Ankle Surgery(AOFAS) was 91.7±6.4. Five cases were excellent and 3 were good.Conclusion:The V-Y advancement flap demonstrates an ideal alternative method for treatment of small area of soft tissue defect around Achilles tendon, due to the simple operation, satisfactory shape of flap after repair, and favorable limb function.