Outcome of perforator propeller flap for the coverage of soft tissue defects over middle and distal part of leg

Background: Plastic surgery is a constant battle between blood supply and beauty. The end result of a reconstructive procedure is primarily attributable to the stability of the vascular component, which is fundamental in that it ensures survival and proper functioning of tissues that have been transferred to the recipient site. The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical outcome of perforator propeller flap for coverage of soft tissue defects in middle and distal legs. Methods: This was a prospective observational study and was conducted in the Department of Plastic Surgery, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh during the period from September 2018 to February 2020. The study population includes the total of 30 patients having soft tissue defects of the middle and distal thirds of leg necessary for flap coverage in the Department of Plastic Surgery, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Results: In total 30 patients maximum 11 (36.7%) were in 31-40 years age group. Majority 27 (90%) were male and 3 (10%) were female in our study. Out of 22 flaps in distal leg necrosis occurred in 4 (18.19%) and among 8 flaps in middle leg necrosis occurred in 1 (12.5%). Conclusions: This study observed that that perforator propeller flaps are ideal in reconstructing soft tissue defects of the middle and distal third of the leg, being safe, easy to perform, providing similar tissue in texture and thickness of damaged tissues, with low donor site morbidity.

Distally based Non-Axial Fascial Hinged Flaps: Useful Adjunct to Resurface Traumatic Soft Tissue Defects of the Distal Leg

Introduction: Resurfacing soft tissue defects of the posteriordistal leg is a magnanimous surgical task. Numerous surgicaloptions exist but they are aesthetically displeasing. Thishas propelled us to explore the ideal flap and microscopicexamination of deep fascia helped in the evolution of non-axialfascial hinged flap as almost ideal cover. This flap is based ona suprafascial and subfascial plexus. With this objective thestudy was undertaken and surgical experience, planning andsafe dimensions of such flaps were described and discussed.Material and Methods: Thorough flap planning for softtissue defects on the distal leg, dimensions of the defect,preoperative assessment of the donor tissue and surgicalexecution were carried out. Different parts of the flap,dissected and undissected, were mathematically calculatedbased on the anatomical and vascular knowledge and surgicalexperience.Results: The mean age of the 42 patients was 35.02 years(range 18-56 years). Majority were males in the age groupof 21-40 years. The mean size of the flaps was 25.55 cm2,largest flap 10 cm and 6 cm wide. The average hospital staywas 21.09 days and follow up of 4-18 months. Complicationswere occasional and responded to conservative managementand patient counselling.Conclusion: The distally based non-axial fascial hingedflaps is extremely useful for small to moderate size defects ofposterior distal leg defects and gives gratifying results. Thefact that it is thin, stable, durable along with reconstructiondone in one stage adds to the value of the flap

Fascial versus fascio-cutaneous pedicled sural flaps in the reconstruction of distal leg, ankle and foot soft tissue defects

BACKGROUND: The coverage of soft tissue defects of the distal leg, ankle or foot poses several challenges to the reconstructive surgeon. Reconstructive procedures may range from simple skin grafting to complicated free tissue transfers. The reverse sural flap has been one of the most dependable methods for soft tissue coverage of such complex wounds. The purpose of this paper was to compare the clinical results of reverse sural flaps harvested with a fascial versus a fasciocutaneous pedicle. METHODS: A retrospective cohort of twenty-six patients who underwent a reverse sural flap procedure for complex wounds of the distal lower extremity was examined from January 1, 2003 to December 31, 2009, with a minimum follow-up of one month. Fifteen patients had a fascial pedicled flap, while eleven patients had fasciocutaneous pedicled flaps with a minimum of one month follow-up. The primary outcome was flap-related complications. Fisher's exact test was used to determine the differences between the two groups and the level of significance was set at p?0.05. RESULTS: All flaps survived. Flap-related complications were more common in the fascial pedicled flap (6/15) compared with the fasciocutaneous pedicled flap (1/11). The difference was not significant (p=0.09). In terms of cosmetic acceptability, 11 patients (11/15) in the fascial pedicle group and five patients (5/11) in the fasciocutaneous pedicle group expressed that the sural flap was acceptable. CONCLUSION: Reverse sural flap was a reliable reconstructive procedure for coverage of soft tissue defects of the distal leg, ankle or foot. There was no significant difference in terms of complication rates for those with fascial compared with those with fasciocutaneous flaps. Cosmetic acceptability was higher for the fascial pedicled flap.