The reverse flow island flap nourished by sural nerve nutrition blood vessel for repair of severe frostbite of feet / 中华整形外科杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The study was to verify the feasibility of an improved method using reverse flow island flap nourished by the sural nerve nutrition vessel to repair severe frostbite of feet.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>At the proximal end of the principal flap, an auxiliary triangular skin flap of 6.5 - 7 cm in length was designed in order to cover the pedicle of the principal flap. This operation was performed on 13 patients (21 feet) with frostbite.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All the flaps survived well. Postoperative follow-up for 5 - 18 months demonstrated satisfactory results in all the cases. No ulcer happened.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The method is helpful to prevent constriction of the pedicle and ensure blood supply of the flap. It is an ideal treatment for severe frostbite of feet.</p>