Clinical application of distally based lesser saphenous-sural nerve adipofascial flap / 中华显微外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the clinical application of lesser saphenous-sural nerve adipofascial flap accompanied with a full-thickness skin graft taken from the groin area for reconstruction of the distal one third of anterior tibia,.around the ankle. Methods A distally based lesser saphenous.sural nerve adipofag.cial flap accompanied with a full-thickness skin graft which was taken from the groin area was studied and used to treat 12 patients with soft tissue defects in the distal one third of anterior tibia,3 cases with soft tissue defects and tibia osteomyelitis,2 cases with soft tissue defects and tibia osteomyelitis.The size of the soft tissue defects ranged from 3 cm×5 cm to 9 cm×13 cm,and the biggest donor flap was 13 cm×18 cm.The donor sites at the posterior aspect of the leg and at the groin area were closed primarily. Results All 17 patients were followed up for 6-12 months(average 9 months).All 17 flaps had good perfusion and survived completely,which successfully treated all 17 patients with soft tissue defects or with both soft tissue defects and osteomyelitis.The donor and recipient sites of adipofascial flaps and the groin area healed primarily,and satisfactory appearance and function were achieved.Conclusion Distally based lesser saphenous-sural nerve adipofascial flap accompanied with a full-thickness skin graft which was taken from the groin area can reconstruct the distal one third of anterior tibia,around the ankle,and even treat osetomyelitis successfully,in the same time,which can preserve the function and appearance of the involved limb to the utmost.