title: Reverse sural artery flap: caveats for success.
abstract: Complex open wounds of the distal third of the leg and ankle remain a reconstructive challenge for the plastic surgeon. In many cases, these wounds are best addressed with a free tissue transfer. Although this group has performed more than 400 free flaps to the leg during the past 6 years, free tissue transfer can be an arduous operation that requires a team approach and substantial donor site morbidity for the patient. In recent years, the authors have favored the reverse sural artery fasciocutaneous flap in 11 patients for its ease of dissection, limited morbidity, and preservation of major vessels to the limb. Caveats for successful performance of the reverse sural artery flap include Doppler evidence of patent peroneal perforators, placement of a lazy T-shape skin paddle over the distal gastrocnemius muscle bellies, inclusion of the lesser saphenous vein to augment venous drainage, and, lastly, careful dissection to provide a wide adipofascial pedicle.
authors: Charlotte Plastic Surgery Center, NC 28207, USA.
authors: Mark F
authors: MF
authors: Price
authors: Peter J
authors: PJ
authors: Capizzi
authors: Paul A
authors: PA
authors: Watterson
authors: Salvatore
authors: S
authors: Lettieri
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016512:Ankle Injuries / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007869:Leg Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000601:surgery; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*