Repairing ankle and calf wounds by antegrade or retrograde perforating flap of posterior tibial artery / 中华骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the clinical efficiency of repairing ankle and calf wounds by antegrade or retrograde perforating flap of posterior tibial artery. Methods 13 cases with skin defects of ankle and calf wounds were reviewd. The defects were repaired using antegrade or retrograde perforating flap of posterior tibial artery from January 2011 to February 2013, 8 males and 5 females; aged 19 to 65 years old. Wounds were located in the ankle and calf, area which the tibial artery support contu-sioned slightly;defects were associated with exposed bone or tendon, exposed blood vessels. Of the 13 cases, 5 cases have multiple ankle fracture with blood circulation disorders, internal and external fracture fixation were performed emergency with blood ves-sels and nerves exposed, at the same time emergency line wound repair by posterior tibial artery perforating flap. The other 8 cases have no blood vessels and nerves exposure, and accepted vacuum sealing drainage emergency external fixation and flap surgery. Seven cases accepted V-Y antegrade perforating flap of posterior tibial artery, 6 cases using retrograde tibial artery perforator flap. Whose defects were ranged from 1.5 cm×2.0 cm to 9.0 cm×5.0 cm. Antegrade or retrograde perforating flap of posterior tibial ar-tery with 1.5 cm×3.0 cm to 14.0 cm×7.0 cm was used to repair ankle or lower leg medial defect. Antegrade flap donor site sutured directly, but retrograde flap donor site take full thickness skin graft repair from abdomen. Results Circulations of the all 13 cases were stable, with wound healing well after 2 weeks. The patients were followed up for 6 months to 24 months, average of 13 months. All flap graft survived, pedicle no bloated andcat eardeformity. Flaps were soft, no bloated appearance;color was con-sistent with normal skin. Fracture line in the 5 patients was disappeared. Bone healing time was 3.0 to 4.0 months. At the direct su-ture skin donor sites, postoperative scar was small;skin graft donor sites had no obvious scar. Postoperative ankle dorsiflexion 10° to 25°, plantar flexion 15° to 45°. Patients were extremely satisfied with the results of repair. Conclusion Using antegrade or ret-rograde posterior tibial artery perforator flap without sacrificing the main vessel, it is a simple and effective method to repair the medial malleolus and calf wounds.