ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the modified methods and effects of the flaps with nutrient vessels of superficial vein-cutaneous nerve of lower limb which used for repair of the lower extremity soft-tissues defects.Methods Between December 2003 and September 2009, 18 patients were treated with this modified skin flap, in which 11 cases male; 7 cases were female, age from 5 to 73 years.Average age was 45.9 years.Repair parts: 4 cases of dorsal foot, 3 cases of foot, heel in 2 cases, the ankle weeks in 2 cases, calves under 1 / 3 of 7 cases, of which 8 cases of bone exposure wounds, tendons exposed in 3 cases.Surgical repair of soft tissue defect size of about 6 cm×4 cm-22 cm × 10 cm, which retained the donor sural nerve function retrograde sural nerve flap in 4 cases, with a thin layer of muscle retrograde sural nerve flap in 4 cases.Results All the flaps were survived completely without any complications.The appearance and functional results were satisfactory with following up for 3 to 36 months.18 cases of flap were survived completely, primary healing, without any complications such as vein congestion or engorgement.The 4 cases which remains the cutaneous nerve in site had an average recovery time about 13 days of the donor site.The innervated region of the cutaneous nerve had no acroesthesia or dysesthesia.Conclusion This modified operation methods of flap, enhanced the blood support of the flap, impmved the survive rates and also preserved the sensory function of the patients' donor site.This modified flap with nutrient vessels of superficial vein-cutaneous nerve is a convenient and safe method in repairing lower extremity soft-tissues defects.