The bi-pedicled gastrocnemias myocutaneous flap:its anatomic basis and clinical application / 中华创伤骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To provide a clinical anatomic basis for the bi-pedicled gastrocnemius myocuta- neous flap which is to be used to repair defects of the Achilles tendon and posterior skin of the ankle.Methods In anatomic study,out of 30 cadaver specimens,bi-pedicled V-Y gastrocnemius myoeutaneous flaps were harvested to measure the downward sliding lengths of the flap when the knee was at flexion of different degrees.In clinic,12 patients with the Achilles tendon and posterior ankle skin defects were repaired with the bi-pedicled gastrocnemius myocutaneous flaps.The areas of composite defects ranged from 10 cm?6 cm to 6 cm?4 cm.They were followed up for four months to 12 years.Results The maximal sliding length of the flap reached (9.2?0.9)cm when the knee was at flexion of 90?.All the clinical flaps survived and ambulation of the patients recovered.The dorsiflexion and plantarflexion of the ankles reached 11.0??1.4?and 35.0??4.6?respectively.Conclusion This flap is suitable for one-stage repair of composite Achilles tendon defects.