Repairing defects of foot and ankle by sural neurovascular adipofascial flap

Abstract

Objective To investigate the clinical effect of repairing soft tissue defects of foot and ankle by sural neurovascular adipofascial flap.Methods Application of sural neurovascular adipofascial flap to repaire soft tissue defects of foot and ankle in 19 patients,inclouding 3 csaes with the soft tissue defects of medial malleolus and 16 cases of dorsum pedis from May,2006 to May,2013.The size of soft tissue defects was 3 cm ×3 cm-7 cm ×9 cm.The skin of the donor site was sutured directly.The recipient area was reshaped granulation and underwent free skin graft after the adipofascial flap survived.Results After followed up of 3-18 months,the adipofascial flaps were all survived,the recipient area was almost flat with the surrounding tissue,the donor area only leaving linear scar,the appearance and function of donor area and adopt area were satisfactory.The sensation of lateral dorsal region of foot decreased to S3,and the sensation of recipient site recovered to S2.There were some changes in pigmentation with the skin graft region.Conclusion Sural neurovascular adipofascial flap can be effectively repaired soft tissue defects of foot and ankle,and it can avoid irregularity of donor area and enlargement of adopt area,the appearance and function were satisfactory. Key words: Sural nerve ; Adipofascial flap ; Foot ; Ankle ; Microsurgical operation