Reconstruction of soft tissue defect in non-weight-bearing area of the foot with trimmed free anterolateral thigh muscle flap combined with skin grafting / 中华显微外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the clinical effect of reconstruction of soft tissue defect in non-weight-bearing area of the foot with trimmed free anterolateral thigh muscle flap combined with skin grafting. Methods From January, 2009 to January, 2017, 25 patients with soft tissue defect in foot and ankle were treated with transplan-tation of the trimmed free anterolateral thigh muscle flap combined with skin grafting. Of the 25 cases, there were 5 cases located in medial foot, 10 cases in dorsum of foot, 7 cases in external of foot and 3 cases in the toe. The areas of wounds were 8.0 cm ×6.0 cm to 18.0 cm ×10.0 cm. The anterolateral thigh muscle flap was from 4.0 cm ×3.0 cm ×0.3 cm to 10.0 cm×8.0 cm×1.5 cm. All the cases were operated in fracture fixation and wound without obvious infection. Early rehabilitative exercise under the protection of orthosis were done after 4 weeks of the operation and to assess. The injuried limb function were assessed in 1 year postoperatively according to Marylands scale. Results All cases were followed-up for 12 to 24 months (average, 16.2 months). All the muscle flaps and skin survived. The healing time were 12 to 24 days, averaged of 17.1 days. Patients could wear shoes normally and resume normal life and work. The appearance and walking function were satisfying and no further debulking procedures were needed . The surgery function were assessed according to Marylands scale, and the results was 22 cases for excellent, and 3 cases for good. Conclusion Ttrimmed free anterolateral thigh muscle flap combined with skin grafting is a good option for the repair of foot and ankle defect at non-weight-bearing area, and it has the advantages such as the doner site is small inva-sive, the muscle flap is easy to be harvested, and can avoid debulking surgery to wear shoes normally.