Clinical application of lateral leg multi-perforators pedicled propeller flaps for reconstructing the foot and ankle defects / 中华显微外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the methods and results of lateral leg propeller pedicled flaps based on multi-perforators for coverage of soft-tissue defects on the foot and ankle.Methods From May,2012 to June,2013,8 patients with soft-tissue defects were treated,including 5 cases by trauma,2 cases by chronic unlcers,1 case by infection on the foot and ankle with exposed osseous and tendinous.Lateral leg propeller pedicled flaps based on multi-perforators were elevated and rotated with the angle from 150° to 180° for coverage of soft-tissue de-fects.Flap size ranged from 15.0 cm × 7.0 cm to 23.0 cm × 9.0 cm.Skin graft was applied to cover the donor sites.After the operation,the blood supplies of flaps were observed severely over 10 days.Questionnaire of the flap aesthetic satisfactory and AOFAS evaluation were performed in 7 patients during fellowed-up periods.Results Seven flaps were all survived well,1 flap had partial marginal skin necrosis on the distal,which was managed with surgical debridement,and wound healed in 1 month.Seven patients had a mean of 10.7 months' fellowed-up periods.The flaps had like-like appearance,good contour,and high aesthetic satisfactor (100％).The mean AOFAS score was 90.5.Conclusion Lateral leg propeller pedicled flaps based on multi-perforators can supply the blood of the larger volume of tissue,which can be safely sustained to repair distal and larger defects on the foot and ankle.