Medial plantar artery combined flaps with saphenous nerve in repairing opposite side ventri-planta soft tissue defects

Abstract

Objective To explore the feasibility of repairing opposite side ventri-planta soft tissue defects with the medial plantar artery combined flaps with saphenous nerve.Methods From Jan.2007 to Apr.2009,12 patients with opposite side ventri-planta soft tissue defects were repaired using the medial plantar artery combined flaps with saphenous nerve.Five cases used cross leg flaps,and 7 cases used free skin flaps.All the cases were men,with an age range of 6-40 years(only one child case).The sizes of flaps were 12 cm × 7 cm-13 cm × 8 cm for adults and 8.5 cm × 6 cm for child.The pedicles of cross leg flaps were cut off after 3-4 weeks.Results All the 12 flaps survived.The patients were followed up for 6 months to 1 year.The color,texture and appearance of the flaps were satisfactory.The flaps of the two point discrimination were 6-9 mm on ventri-planta of reconstruction,and the affected limb could exercise freely,without ulcer on the flap.Conclusion The medial plantar artery combined flaps with saphenous nerve can be used to repair opposite side ventri-planta vast soft tissue defects,with large flap and good texture,appearance.It can effectively recover the two point discrimination,but it has a complicated protocal.