Application of perforator flaps to repair chronic osteomyelitis with soft tissue defect in the distal lower extremity / 中华显微外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate free or pedicled perforator flaps for repairing chronic osteemylitis with soft-tissue defect in the distal lower extremity. Methods From May of 2006 to October of 2007, 28 consecutive patients of chronic osteomylitis with soft-tissue defect in the distal lower extremity underwent surgical debridement and reconstruction with free or pedicled perforator flaps. There were 13 free flaps. The free anterolateral thigh flaps were used in 2 cases to repair the soft defects in the front of leg, 3 cases in the front of the malleolus, 2 cases in the dorsum of foot, 2 cases in the heel. The free lateral crural flaps nourished by perone al artery were used in 4 cases to repair the soft defects in the dorsum of foot. There were 15 pedicled flaps. Posterior tibial artery perforator flaps were used in 4 cases to repair the soft defects in the front of leg, and 2 cases in the medial malleolus. Lateral retromalleolar perforator flaps nourished by peroneal artery were used in 6 cases to repair the soft-defects in the heel, 1 case in the lateral malleolus and 1 case in the dorsum of foot, the first dorsal metatarsal artery perforator flap was used to repair the proximal dorsum of hallux. The wound was closed with irrigation-suction in 7 cases and with vancomycin-impregnated gelatin in 8 cases. Results All 27 flaps were successfully survived except insuffcient vein refluence in 1 posterior tibial artery perforator flap, which resulted in a superficial necrosis and healed spontaneously. The follow-up period from 6 months to 2 years revealed that recurrence developed in two diffuse type patients and both were treated once and twice with success, respectively. The others healed without any signs of recurrences. No debulking procedure was necessary in any case. Secondary bone graft was performed in 3 cases. All patients were ambulatory and fully weight-bearing with normal clinical parameters at the time of last review. According to the evaluating criteria for the treatment of foot disease, the mean score was 84.5. Conclusion Free or pedicled perforator flap has been shown to be well vascularised, and it is feasible for the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis with soft-tissue defect in the distal lower extremity.