Repair of foot defect with a reverse fascial pedicled posterolateral lower leg flap / 中华整形外科杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the applications of ipsilateral reverse fascial pedicled posterolateral lower leg flap in foot defect repair.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A fasciocutaneous flap was designed over the gastrocnemius muscle to repair the defects in the foot or the lower third of the leg. The flap was based on a perforator branch between the lateral malleolus and the Achilles tendon, coming from the vessel network of the ankle as well as the deep fascia.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>This method was used in 6 cases, including 2 children of 5-6 years old. All the flaps survived without necrosis and venous congestion.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The operation is simple and a large flap over the whole gastrocnemius muscle can be raised without sacrifice of a main blood vessel. It is an excellent method for repair of the defects in the heel, medial and lateral malleolus, dorsum pedis and the lower third of the leg.</p>