Clinical application of free peroneal artery perforator flap transplantation for forefoot defects reparation

Abstract

Objective To analyze features of the lateral leg peroneal artery perforator free flap,and study the clinical application of free peroneal artery perforator flap transplantation for repairing forefoot defects.Methods Retrospectively analyzed 9 patients with forefoot defects which had been repaired with free lateral leg peroneal artery perforator flap transplantation.In this group,the skin and soft tissue defects size were 4.5 cm ×4.0 cm-13.5 cm × 6.5 cm,Focused on analyzing the features of forefoot skin and soft tissue defects,the design and harvesting of lateral leg peroneal artery perforator flap,and vascular anastomosis and vessel matching,meanwhile,follow-up the survival condition and appearance of the flap,the function of foot and ankle after operation.Results In the 9 cases,the larger myocutaneous perforator arising from peroneal artery,accompanying 2 vena comitans,were found slightly above the midpoint of the line between fibula head and lateral malleolus in lateral leg.The flaps transfered to repair forefoot defects,artery end-end anastomosis:in 5 cases cutaneous branch of peroneal artery to dorsal artery of foot,in 4 cases by cutaneous branch of peroneal artery to dorsal metatarsal artery;vein end-end anastomosis:in 1 case 2 accompanying veins of peroneal artery cutaneous branch to 2 accompanying veins of dorsal artery of foot,in 5 cases 1 accompanying vein of peroneal artery cutaneous branch to 1 accompanying vein of dorsal artery of foot or metatarsal,in 3 cases 1 accompanying vein of peroneal artery cutaneous branch to 1 accompanying vein of dorsal artery of foot or metatarsal,simultaneously,the another accompanying vein of peroneal artery cutaneous branch to 1 dorsal superficial vein of the foot.All the 9 flaps survived,and no vessel articulo happened.The venous return of flaps had no significant difference between repairing 1 vein and 2 veins in gross appearance.All wounds healed in one-period.Followed-up 2-6 months postoperative,1 patient was performed flap reshaping due to flap fat and clumsy at 5 months postoperative,others,the skin texture and appearance of the flaps were good and satisfactive.Conclusion Free transplantation of the lateral leg peroneal artery perforator flap broke away from the bondage of pedicled flap,had more freedom in flap design,and effectively controlled the trauma of donor and recipient site.The flap have the merits,blood vessel anatomy is relatively stable,blood supply is reliable,harvesting is simple,skin texture is similar to the forefoot and the effect is better,operation of the donor and recipient sites can accomplish under a identical anaesthesia and tourniquet.Thus,the lateral leg peroneal artery perforator free flap is an effective metheod in reparation of the forefoot defects. Key words: Forefoot; Peroneal artery perforator flap; Transplantation