Clinical application of branch artery of the sural medial gastrocnemius muscle flap combine with sural nerve nutritional vessel axial

Abstract

Objective To investigate the clinical efficiency of branch artery of the sural medial gastrocnemius muscle flap combine with sural nerve nutritional vessel axial.Methods From February 2006to March 2010,according to the position and size of the soft tissue defects,the muscle flap combined with branch artery of the sural medial gastrocnemius and sural nerve nutritional vessel axial were desingned and obtained to repair 7 cases of sofi tissue defects of the upper-region of the tibial.The flap size ranged from 8.0 cm × 8.0 cm to 12.0 cm × 10.0 cm.The vessel pedicle of branches ranged from 1.8-3.0 cm.The distribution of the vessel pedicle of branches ranged from 10.0-17.0 cm on the distant popliteal fossa,and ranged from 2.0-5.0 cm on the back of medial line.Results The outline and function were satisfactory during 6-15 months follow-up.Conclusion The blood supply of this flap is reliable without sacrifice of major arteries.Flap elevation is easy.It can transfer to a long distance and can repair large skin defects.It is very useful in repairing upper-region of the tibial large soft tissue defect. Key words: Branch artery of the sural medial gastrocnemius; Sural nerve nutritional vessel axial; Island flap; Transplantation; Microsurgical operation