Lateral Supramalleolar Flap for Coverage of Ankle and Foot Defects in Children

Abstract

The lower part of the leg, the ankle and the foot, is a difficult region to cover especially with exposure of bones or tendons. There are many options for covering soft tissue defect in these areas. The supramalleolar flap is an interesting procedure. The lateral supramalleolar flap was used in 8 cases for the reconstruction of skin defects of the ankle, heel, and foot that compromised the Achilles tendon and the osteoarticular system. Of the 8 patients, 5 were males and 3 were females, with an average age of 6.4 (range 2 to 10) years. The skin defect was secondary to trauma in all cases. The mean follow-up period was 31 (range 19 to 47) months; at the last follow-up visit, the region had been successfully covered in all cases. No necrosis of the flap was reported. The donor site morbidity was minimal. The lateral supramalleolar flap is an interesting surgical technique to salvage the lower extremity in children because this flap has a large skin paddle and a wide rotation arc and is based on a secondary vascular axis.