Effects of the sural nerve and saphenous nerve nutrient vascular island flaps in repairing pediatric ankle or foot soft tissue defect / 中华医学美学美容杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the clinical effects of the sural nerve and saphenous nerve nutrient vascular island flaps in repairing pediatric ankle or foot soft tissue defect.Methods From June 2009 to January 2013,19 cases of heel soft tissue defect were collected in hospitalized children,in which 10 cases of ankle or foot soft tissue defects were repaired with reversed sural nerve nutrient vascular island flaps and 9 cases with ankle or foot soft tissue defects with reversed saphenous nerve nutrient vascular island flaps.The skin defect areas were from 3 cm× 5 cm～5 cm× 13 cm.Results All neurocutaneous vascular flaps survived after transplantation,the wound of donor area and recipient area healed,and texture and color of flap were good.The postoperative follow-up for 3-30 months (an average 14 months) showed no secondary infection,sensory recovery for S3-S4,texture and color were similar to normal skin,and the limb shape and function were satisfactory.Conclusions The sural nerve and saphenous nerve nutrient vascular island flaps are reliable of blood supply,which do not damage the main vessel,and could reconstruct feeling.Such flaps are ideal to repair foot or ankle soft tissue defects.