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Objective To investigate the effectiveness of digital technology in repairing wounds of the lower leg and foot with perforator pedicled propeller flaps.Methods Eighteen patients with wounds of the lower leg and foot were returned to the hospital for review and evaluated retrospectively.The wounds were repaired by using the perforator pedicled propeller flaps from January,2013 to February,2014.There were 11 males and 7 females,with an average age of 27 years (range,6-48 years).Including 6 cases of injuries caused by the spokes and the Achilles heel of soft tissue defects.Five cases of infection after internal fixation of calcaneal fractures induced skin necrosis,2 cases of dorsal skin defects caused by heavy injured,5 cases of foot and ankle soft tissue defects caused by car accidents.All wounds were associated with exposure of tendon.The wounds area were ranged from 2.5 cm×5.0 cmn to 4.0 cm× 15.0 cm.The course of disease was from 3 hour to 35 days.Computed tomography angiography (CTA) was performed preoperatively,the appropriate perforator was selected and the CTA data were imported into the Mimics 15.0 software for the location of the perforator vessel and the design of the propeller flap,and simulate flap cut and transfer.The flap was obtained according to preoperative plan during operation.The flap size ranged from 4.0 cm×7.0 cm to 5.0 cm ×20.5 cm.These flaps included terminal branch of the peroneal artery perforator in 14 cases,posterior tibia artery perforator in 4 cases.All patients were followed up at regular intervals.Results The reconstruction of Mimics 15.0 software could confirm the perforator vessels origin,vascular distribution,diameter,and the cutting length.The rotation direction of the flap could be simulated preoperatively,which was consistent with the actual observation intraoperative.The donor sites were sutured directly.One case suffered from vascular crisis in 1 day was cured by the removal of part of the suture,massage and bloodletting.All cases were followed-up for 1 month to 16 months,and all flaps survived well and pediele were smooth with a satisfied appearance.The patient were extremely satisfied with the results for repair.Conclusion The preoperative individualization design of the perforator pedicled propeller flaps can be realized through CTA combined with Mimics 15.0 software.It can reduce the risk of operation.
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PURPOSE: We report on the clinical result after coverage of a soft tissue defect on the medial foot and ankle with an adipofascial flap based on the perforator from the posterior tibia artery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nine patients with soft tissue defects on the medial foot and ankle area from March 2009 to May 2014 underwent the procedure. Average age was 54 years old (range, 8~82 years). There were five male patients and four female patients. The causes of the defect were trauma (4), tumor (3), and infection (2). The pivot point of transposition of this flap is the lower perforator originating from the posterior tibia artery. The fatty tissue side of this flap could be used to resurface the defect. The donor site was closed primarily with the preserved skin, and a small caliber drain tube was used. The split-thickness skin graft was grafted to the flap and the wound. If the wound was still infected, this skin graft could be performed at a later date. RESULTS: All flaps survived and normal soft tissue coverage was obtained for the medial foot and ankle of all patients after the skin graft. Normal footwear was possible for all cases because of thin coverage. There was an extension contracture on the medial ray of the foot, which was resolved by contracture release and skin graft. CONCLUSIONS: For the medial foot and ankle soft tissue defect, the medial crural adipofascial flap based on a perforator branch of the posterior tibia artery could be a good option to cover it.