[Clinical application of distal base sural island flap].
OBJECTIVE
To sum up the experience of clinical application of distal base sural island flap.


METHODS
From January 1997 to April 1999, the posterior island flap of leg pedicled with sural nerve and its nutrient vessels was applied to repair heel or dorsum of foot in 6 cases, chronic ulcer of heel in 2 cases, chronic osteomyelitis in 2 cases, scar contracture of bone defect accompanying fistulation in 1 case. The range of flap was 5 cm x 8 cm to 8 cm x 12 cm.


RESULTS
All the flaps survived completely without vascular crisis. All the wounds healed by first intention. Followed up 3 to 12 months, no ulcer, osteomyelitis, fistulation were recurrence, and the sensation of flap was recovered slightly.


CONCLUSIONS
The flap do not damage critical blood vessels and nerves, the donating region is hidden. The manual of operation is simple and blood supply of flap is sufficient. It can repair the defect of soft tissue on heel and dorsum with high survival rate.
Chen
R G
RG
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital, Guangzhou Trauma Institute, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China 510220. georgechen@163.net
Ye
W X
WX
Wu
J F
JF
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D018409:Foot Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D006365:Heel / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D012867:Skin / Q000294:innervation*; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D013497:Sural Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D013524:Surgical Flaps