Free thin sensate superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator flap based on lateral cutaneous branch of the subcostal nerve for repair of soft tissue defect in the foot and ankle / 中华创伤杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of free thin sensate superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator flap based on lateral cutaneous branch of the subcostal nerve for repair of soft tissue defect in the foot and ankle.Methods:A retrospective case series study was made on clinical data of 9 patients with soft tissue defect in the foot and ankle admitted to 80th Group Military Hospital from December 2017 to December 2019. There were 8 males and 1 females, with the age of 28-63 years [(47.3±12.3)years] and the body mass index (BMI) of 16.7-27.8 kg/m 2 [(23.9±3.9)kg/m 2]. The size of soft tissue defect ranged from 10 cm×6 cm to 20 cm×12 cm. All patients were treated with the free thin sensate superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator flap based on lateral cutaneous branch of the subcostal nerve. After debridement or tumor resection, a thin sensate flap was harvested by intra-adipose tissue dissection between the superficial and deep fat layers. The size of flap ranged from 13 cm×8 cm and 13 cm×10 cm. The thickness of the defatted flap ranged from 3-6 mm. The distance from the anterosuperior iliac spine to the point where the lateral cutaneous branch of the subcostal nerve crossed the iliac crest ranged from 7.5-10.0 cm. The flap survival, complications, and reoperation were observed after operation. The sensory recovery of the flap was evaluated using Tinel sign and nine-grid method including monofilament touch perception, vibration perception, pinprick perception, temperature perception, and static two-point discrimination test. The joint range of motion, and shoewear and walking problems were recorded. At the last follow-up, the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score was used to assess the affected foot and ankle. The injury at the donor site was detected as well. Results:All patients were followed up for 6-35 months [(21.1±10.1)months]. All flaps survived without infection or tumor reoccurrence. One patient developed ulceration, then surplus skin on the reconstructed heel was resected. One patient underwent flap debulking and removal of internal fixation. One or more sensory modalities within the nine areas in each flap could be detected at postoperative 3-6 months. The monofilament touch, vibration, pinprick, and temperature perception were presented in almost all regions of each flap at postoperative 12 months. However, only one patient in one region was noted with the static two-point discrimination, in which the distance of the two points was set as 25 mm. The range of ankle motion was slightly limited in 2 patients who underwent osseoligamentous complex reconstruction. All patients were able to wear normal shoes and walk without pain. At the last follow-up, the AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score ranged from 78 to 97 points [(86.4±7.4)points], significantly improved from preoperative 10-70 points [(44.2±18.4)points] ( P<0.01). No patients complained of pain at the donor site, but the widening linear scar was noted. Conclusion:For medium-sized soft tissue defect of the foot and ankle, the free thin sensate superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator flap based on lateral cutaneous branch of the subcostal nerve can be defatted with the requirement and has advantages in defect site appearance, sensory restoration, wearing ordinary shoes, painless walking, good functional recovery, and minimal donor site morbidity.