Replantation of severed midfoot with pedicled perforator flap around ankle for repair traumatic defect: Report of 4 cases / 中华显微外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To discuss the pedicled perforator flap around ankle in complicated replantation of severed traumatic midfoot.Methods:From May 2017 to December 2020, a total of 4 patients with severed midfoot combined with severely traumatic soft tissue defects were treated in the Department of Micro-orthopaedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Luohe Medical Collage. The patients were all males and aged from 22 to 53 (mean, 44) years old. Two patients had left foot injured and 2 in right foot. Causes of injuries One patient was injured by strangulation of a corn harvester belt, and 3 were crushed by a heavy steel bar. Three patients had the severed sites at the level of intertarsal joint and 1 at the base of metatarsus. The time from injury to admission was 2.0-5.0(mean, 3.5) hours. The severed feet were replanted by anterograde method. Pedicled perforator flaps around ankle were used to repair the soft tissue defects of feet in emergency surgery or post first-stage surgery. The sizes of the flaps were 7.5 cm×8.0 cm-9.0 cm×19.0 cm. Scheduled follow-ups were arranged at outpatient clinic or by online reviews. Appearance, texture, colour, blood supply and sensory-motor function of the replanted feet and flaps were observed. The function of the foot and ankle was evaluated according to the American Orthopaedic Foot Ankle Association (AOFAS).Results:All 4 patients engaged follow-ups lasted for 13-36(mean, 19.5) months. Three replantations survived after surgery. In the other case, a chronic necrosis of the broken foot was caused by skin necrosis, wound infection, and vascular embolism. And then the necrotic forefoot was released, and the wound was later repaired with a flap based medial supramalleolar branches. A total of 5 flaps in 4 patients survived. All flaps were in good appearance with good texture and colour. All flaps healed primarily, and all skin grafts survived. All of the 4 patients could walked without assistance. Sensation restored to S 3. The patient with a failed replantation had left with a mild claudication. According to AOFAS, 2 patients were in excellent, 1 in good and 1 in fair at the last follow-up. Conclusion:Replantation of severed midfoot with an early application of pedicled perforator flap around ankle for reconstruction of severely traumatic defect is an effective and feasible treatment strategy.