EVALUATION OF PROPELLER PERFORATOR FLAPS IN LEG RECONSTRUCTION

Abstract

Background: Reconstruction of defects in the leg with exposed tendons, bone, and/or other tissues continues to be chal­lenging and they generally need flap coverage. Evolution in flap surgery has enabled fasciocutaneous, adipofascial and superthin flaps to be harvested for the purpose of reconstruction, thereby minimizing morbidity from muscle inclusion into the flap. Objective: A prospective study for patients of 6-54 years old with leg defects and evaluation of perforator (propeller) flaps for reconstruction of defects in the leg. Patients and methods: This study includes twenty patients with leg defects who came to Al Azhar University Hospitals asking for leg reconstruction during the period from Oct 2014 to Sep 2016. All patients were operated under spinal anesthesia. Perforators were identified and traced to major limb vessel, and skin paddle was designed around the perforator. Skin paddle was then rotated into the defect of the leg. Results: All the patients tolerated the procedure well. There was only one case of epidermal loss and one case had partial loss. Two flaps initially underwent distal congestion but, however, improved on day three post-operatively. One case developed bleeding postoperatively and controlled and one case had delayed wound healing. However, the remainder of the flaps survived and wound healed completely. Conclusion: The use of propeller flaps to cover defects of the leg showed satisfactory results as regards flap viability and providing a suitable coverage of various defects.