ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To explore the effectiveness of a new method to repair severe soft tissue defects of the leg, foot, and ankle with contralateral saphenous neurocutaneous vascular flaps combined with assembly external frisket for fixation in parallel-leg position. METHODS: Between August 2009 and August 2013, 29 cases with leg, foot, or ankle wound were treated. There were 18 males and 11 females, with an average age of 37.6 years (range, 11-65 years). The interval of injury and operation was 14-36 days (mean, 22.3 days). The locations were the planta pedis and heel in 5 cases, the dorsal foot in 2 cases, the ankle in 4 cases, middle and lower leg in 14 cases, and upper leg in 4 cases. The area of trauma ranged from 5 cm x 3 cm to 19 cm x 9 cm. The assembly external frisket was used for fixation in parallel-leg position; a bridge flap was transplanted to repair defects, and the area of flap ranged from 6 cm x 4 cm to 22 cm x 11 cm. The donor sites were directly sutured or repaired with skin graft. The pedicle of the bridge flap was cut off and the assembly external frisket was removed after 3-4 weeks. RESULTS: The flaps in all patients survived completely; primary healing of wound and incision at donor site was obtained. The patients were followed up 6-18 months (mean, 13.2 months). The appearance of flaps was satisfactory, and the sensation of the heel recovered. Moreover, the patients had a comfortable feeling, and the ankle and knee joints can move freely, and had good function. CONCLUSION: The assembly external frisket in parallel-leg position instead of cross-leg can make patients comfortable position, and achieve reliable fixation. The saphenous neurocutaneous vascular flap has the advantages of no need for anastomosis vein and for sacrifice of the main vein. Contralateral saphenous neurocutaneous vascular flap combined with assembly external frisket for fixation in parallel-leg position is a favorite method to repair severe soft tissue defects of the leg, foot, and ankle.
