[Reversed sural neurovascular fascio-cutaneous flap for reconstruction of soft-tissue defects in ankle and foot].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate clinical significance of reversed sural neurovascular fascio-cutaneous flap for reconstruction of soft-tissue defects in ankle and foot.


METHODS
From July 1994 to December 2002, 52 cases of soft-tissue defects in the ankle and foot were reconstructed by use of reversed sural neurovascular fascio-cutaneous flap, including 47 cases of traumatic defects, 3 cases of chronic ulcer and 2 cases of tumors. The flap area ranged from 4 cm x 6 cm to 10 cm x 21 cm.


RESULTS
The flaps survived in 48 cases; the distal part necrosed and secondary free-skin graft were further conducted in 4 cases. All soft-tissue defects were repaired and their accompanied bone and tendon exposure healed. Forty-six cases were followed-up for 5 months to 48 months, the color and texture of the flaps were excellent and 2-point discrimination was 11-17 mm (14 mm on average). The functions of ankle joints were good.


CONCLUSIONS
The reversed sural neurovascular fascio-cutaneous flap is convenient in design and dissection. Its use can retained and replace vascular anostomosed flaps to certain degrees.
Li
Jun
J
Orthopaedic Department, Kunming Gerneral Hospital, Chengdu Military Command, Kunming, Yunnan, 650032, P. R. China.
Xu
Yongqing
Y
Xu
Xiaoshan
X
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016512:Ankle Injuries / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D018409:Foot Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D006085:Graft Survival; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D013497:Sural Nerve / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000637:transplantation; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply / Q000294:innervation; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing