MODIFIED SURAL FLAP TO COVER DISTAL LOWER LIMB SOFT TISSUE DEFECTS

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of coverage of soft tissue defects of leg and foot by sural flap with preserving a lane of skin over the pedicle (cutaneous pedicle) with open passage between donor and recipient sites. A proscriptive study including thirty-six patients with distal lower limb soft tissue defects was carried out in the period between June 2018 and June 2019 at Sohag University Hospital. All these 36 patients underwent modified sural flap with preserved lane of skin over the pedicle with open passage for the pedicle between donor and recipient sites. Evaluation of viability of the flap, resistance against infection, healing of the flap, donor site healing and weight bearing, postoperative follow up to nine months. Group of patients including thirty-six patients with distal lower limb soft tissue defects underwent modified sural flap, the indication for flap cover was Motor car accident in 26 cases (72.2%) and exposed plate was in 6 cases (16.7%) crushing trauma was in 4 cases (11.1%). Infection were the common complications encountered Six cases (16.7%) three cases (8.35%) complicated by distal ischemia and One case (2.8%) was totally lost with increase in the flap viability with modified sural flap. Modified sural flap by preserving alane of skin over the pedicle and open passage between donor and recipient site increase venous return of the flap and increase flap viability.