Repairing distal leg and foot-ankle soft tissue defect with rotated single pedicel reverse sural neurocutaneous island flap / 中国医师进修杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the outcomes of distal leg and foot-ankle reconstruction with rotated single pedicel reverse sural neurocutaneous island flaps. Methods From June 2011 to January 2016, seventeen distal leg and foot-ankle defects cases repaired with rotated single pedicel reverse sural neurocutaneous island flap were analyzed retrospectively. In this study, 13 cases were male, and 4 cases were female. Age ranged from 25 to 65 years old, with an average age of 42.0 ± 8.3 years. Seven cases were distal leg defects, 3 cases were ankle defects, 3 cases were heel defects, and 4 cases were acrotarsium defects; all cases had bone and tendon exposure. The defects ranged from 5.0 cm × 7.0 cm-6.0 cm × 12.0 cm. The flap size ranged from 5.0 cm × 7.0 cm-8.0 cm × 15.0 cm. Results All 17 cases survived completely, without thanatosis, blisters and vascular crisis. The follow-up period was 12-48 months, and the mean was (20.0 ± 11.1) months. The color and elasticity of the flaps was excellent, with satisfactory appearances. Function and appearance of donor sites was not affected. Conclusions The rotated single pedicel reverse sural neurocutaneous island flaps have no injury on main nerves and arteries. The flaps have wide rotation angle and less invalid fold in the pedicel. The simple operation has satisfactory effects and high survival rate. It is a relatively easy procedure that can be applied toward repairing of distal leg and foot-ankle soft tissue defect.