The Reverse Sural Artery Flap for Soft Tissue Defect of Foot and Ankle in Diabetic Patient

Abstract

Purpose : A reverse sural artery flap is a useful method for the soft tissue coverage of the lower leg, around the foot and ankle. We present our experience with the reverse sural artery flap for the coverage of a soft tissue defect due to ulceration, necrosis, and trauma in diabetic patients. Materials and Methods : We treated 5 diabetic patients who showed soft tissue defects around their lower leg, foot and ankle. The causes of the soft tissue defect were an ulcer and infection in 4 cases, and trauma in 1 case. The sites of the soft tissue defect were around the ankle in 2 cases. In the other cases, the defect site were the lower third of the leg, the hind foot, the foot dorsum. The mean follow up period was 12.4 months. The size of the soft tissue defect ranged from 4×3 cm to 15×10 cm. Results : All the flaps survived. The donor site was covered with a split thickness skin graft. There was no recurrence of the soft tissue defect during the follow-up period. Conclusion : The reverse sural artery flap is a valuable method for covering certain types soft tissue defect of foot and ankle in diabetic patients.