Distally based sural neurofasciocutaneous flap for repairing soft tissue defects in heel / 中国矫形外科杂志

ABSTRACT

[Objective]To investigate the characteristics of the distally based sural neurofasciocutaneous flap for repairing soft tissue defects in heel.[Method]From June 2002 to July 2008,58 cases of soft tissae defects in heal were repaired with distally based sural neurofasciocutaneous flaps.Among them,10 cases combined with a dead cavity,13 cases were innervated with the anastomosis of the sural nerve to the cutaneous nerve of recipient site.The size of the flaps ranged from 8 cm?4 cm to 20 cm?15 cm.The perforating barnches of peroneal artery in fascia pedicle were exposed first,and then the flaps were harvested.[Result]Forty-six flaps survived uneventfully.Necrosis took place in the distal part in 12 flaps,and the wounds healed after changing dressing daily,two-stage suture or skingrafting.Through 1 to 34 months of follow-up,all the survival flaps provided good contours.Infection was controlled and no recurrence,ulcer or pressure sore was found.Walk function was good.[Conclusion]Distally based sural neurofasciocutaneous flaps for reparing soft tissue defects have many advantages.It can offer abundant blood supply,large survival size,simple operation,high achievement rate,and re-establishment of protective sensation.The flaps can repair almost all defects in heel.