[Anterior tibial artery perforator propeller flap relay peroneal artery terminal perforator propeller flap for foot and ankle defect].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical application of the anterior tibial artery perforator propeller flap relay peroneal artery terminal perforator propeller flap in repair of foot and ankle defects. METHODS: Between October 2014 and October 2018, 18 cases with foot and ankle defects were treated. There were 12 males and 6 females with an average age of 32.8 years (range, 8-56 years). There were 11 cases of traffic accident injuries, 3 cases of falling from height injuries, and 4 cases of heavy objects injuries. The wound was at the dorsum of the foot in 9 cases, the heel in 4 cases, the lateral malleolus in 5 cases. The time from injury to flap repair was 7-34 days (mean, 19 days). The size of wound ranged from 6.0 cm×2.5 cm to 11.0 cm×6.0 cm. The foot and ankle defects were repaired with the peroneal artery terminal perforator propeller flap in size of 6 cm×3 cm-18 cm×7 cm, which donor site was repaired with the anterior tibial artery perforator propeller flap in size of 8 cm×3 cm-16 cm×6 cm. RESULTS: One patient had a hemorrhagic swelling in the peroneal artery terminal perforator propeller flap, and survived after symptomatic treatment. All recipient and donor sites healed by first intention. Eighteen patients were followed up 6-15 months (mean, 12.5 months). At last follow-up, the shape, color, texture, and thickness of the flaps in the donor sites were similar with those in the recipient sites. There were only linear scars on the donor sites. The two-point discrimination of the peroneal artery terminal perforator propeller flap ranged from 10 to 12 mm (mean, 11 mm). According to American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score criteria, the results were excellent in 15 cases and good in 3 cases, with an excellent and good rate of 100%. CONCLUSION: The foot and ankle defects can be repaired with the anterior tibial artery perforator propeller flap relay peroneal artery terminal perforator propeller flap. The procedure is not sacrificing the main vessel and can avoid the skin grafting and obtain the good ankle function.

Treatment of skin and soft tissue defect in the hallex with flaps / 中华整形外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To summarize the therapeutic effect of 5 kinds of flaps for the treatment of skin and soft tissue defect in the hallex.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From Jan. 2008 to Jun. 2013, 24 cases with skin and soft tissue defects in the hallex were treated with 5 kinds of reversed flaps, including medial foot dorsal neurocutaneous flaps, medial foot neurocutaneous flaps, lateral tarsal flaps, anterior malleous flaps, medial cross leg and saphenous nerve flaps. The defects size ranged from 3 cm x 2 cm to 5 cm x 3 cm, with the flap size from 3. 5 cm x 2. 5 cm to 5. 5 cm x 4. 0 cm.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Partial superficial necroisis happened at the distal end of one foot dorsal medial neurocutaneous flap. One third flap necrosis occurred in 1 foot medial neurocutaneous flap due to too tight suture at flap pedicle and resulted thrombosis. All the other 23 flaps survived completely. 15 cases were followed up for 3-36 months with normal walking function and satisfactory appearance. Among the 8 cases with nerve anastomosis, 4 cases were followed up with 2-point discrimination distance of 8-11 mm. the flaps without nerve anastomosis also had protective sense due to nerve ingrowth.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Skin and soft tissue defects in the hallex can be treated with different appropriate flaps. The hallex length can be reserved with satisfactory function and appearance.</p>