Clinical application of free anterolateral thigh perforator flap in repairing bone exposure of diabetic foot ulcers / 中华内分泌外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To investigate the effect of free anterolateral thigh perforator flap on repair of bone exposure of diabetic foot ulcer.Methods:From Sep. 2016 to Dec. 2019, free anterolateral thigh perforator flap was used to repair 19 cases of diabetic foot ulcer with bone exposure. The area of the flap ranged from 5.0 cm×7.0 cm to 10.0 cm×16.0 cm. The donor site of the flap was sutured directly. The patients were followed up regularly by outpatient and telephone.Results:18 of the 19 cases survived completely, in one case, most of the flap were necrotic, healed after second stage skin grafting; 5 flaps developed edema due to low albumin, and healed after stitches removal, dehydration, albumin supplement and secondary suture and antibiotic replacement. Through 6 to 24 months of follow-up study we concluded that flap transfer could functionally and morphologically repair wounds with soft tissue defect and infection.Conclusion:Free anterolateral thigh perforator flap is effective in repairing diabetic foot ulcer and can effectively reduce disability rate.