Transplanted low-set perforating branch propeller flap of fibular artery for repairing calcaneal soft tissue defects / 中华创伤杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of low-set perforating branch propeller flap of fibular artery for repairing calcaneal soft tissue defects.Methods:A retrospective case series study was conducted on 28 patients with calcaneal soft tissue defects admitted to 920th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force of PLA from January 2013 to December 2019. There were 19 males and 9 females，aged 13-69 years［（33.8±13.7）years］. The size of soft tissue defects ranged from 5 cm×2 cm to 18 cm×12 cm，and the size of flaps ranged from 12 cm×4 cm to 24 cm×10 cm. The soft tissue defects were repaired with the low-set fibular artery perforator propeller flap after emergency debridement or flap transplantation at the second stage after debridement according to the wound surface conditions. The survival of the flap，wound healing at the recipient and donor sites and complications were recorded. The function of the affected ankle was assessed according to American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society（AOFAS）ankle-hindfoot score before operation and at the final follow-up. The degree of satisfaction of flap appearance was assessed by Thankappan flap appearance satisfaction score at the final follow-up.Results:All patients were followed up for 2-40 months［（17.4±5.9）months］. All flaps survived and wounds at both donor and recipient sites were healed well，with satisfactory color and texture of the flaps，without thinning operation performed. Three patients experienced numbness on both sides of the incision at donor sites within 1 week after operation and returned to normal on their own about 2 months after operation，with all flaps restoring partial light pain sensation 1 year after operation. No complications occurred such as blood flow disorder of the affected limb or compartment syndrome. The AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score was 56-95 points［（82.3±15.2）points］at the final follow-up，significantly higher than the preoperative score of 17-68 points［（35.7±13.4）points］（ P<0.01）. The results were excellent in 21 patients，good in 5 and fair in 2，with excellent and good rate of 93%.The appearance satisfaction score was 4-10 points［（7.6±2.9）points］according to Thankappan flap appearance satisfaction score. The results were excellent in 6 patients，good in 15 and fair in 7，with the excellent and good rate of 75%. Conclusions:The low-set perforating branch propeller flap of fibular artery for reconstruction of calcaneal soft tissue defects has advantages of reliable blood supply and high survival rate of the flap as well as good restoration of the appearance and function of the affected limb.