Soft tissue reconstruction of foot and ankle defect using various flap cover: single centre experience

Abstract

Introduction: Soft tissue defect at ankle and foot region are very common following road traffic accident. Reconstruction in this region is challenging to surgeon because of poor vascularity and paucity of available surrounding tissue. Purpose of study is to evaluate various ankle and foot defect, advantage and disadvantages of different methods of management, future prospective of suitable method according to defect.Materials and Methods: Retrospective study of 65 patients with soft tissue defects around foot and ankle region underwent various reconstructive procedures at SMS hospital Jaipur from January 2020 to December 2020. Study enumerates various etiological factors and describes different reconstructive surgical procedures.Results: Age at presentation range from 8 to 63 years and males were more common. Road traffic accident is most common cause for defect at foot and ankle region followed by diabetic foot and orthopedic implant exposure. Most common site of defect in foot and ankle defect were dorsum of foot followed by lateral malleolus region. Free ALT flap cover performed most frequently followed by cross leg flap.Conclusion: Reverse sural flap is reliable option for small ankle and foot defect near ankle. Cross leg flap is also most reliable option for large defect in opposite healthy limb. Reverse saphanous flap also used for small defects on medial side ankle. Larger defect of ankle and foot can be covered by free fasciocutaneous or myocutaneous flaps where microsurgical expertise available.