Comparative study between early and delayed perforator flaps for reconstruction of soft tissue defects over distal third tibia

Abstract

Background: Flap is tissue(s) with its own vascular supply, allowing transfer from one site to another. Flaps come in various forms. The purpose of classification is to understand the anatomy and the features that each flap provides; it also allows communication not only with peers but with the patients as well to achieve the common goal of reconstruction. Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the outcome of perforator flaps whether being early in timing in the first 48 hours of trauma or later than 48 hours. Methods: This study was conducted in the period between March 2019 to March 2021 on 40 patients with soft tissue defects in distal third tibia from the outpatient clinic, Emergency department of Plastic Surgery faculty of medicine, Beni-suef University also Surgical and Emergency departments, Agouza Police Authority hospital, Algizah, Egypt. Results: Dehiscence was more frequent in delayed as compared with early group (2 vs. 1 case in both groups respectively); but with no statistically significant difference. Healing complications were more frequent among early vs. delayed group; however, this difference had none statistically significant value.