[The reverse flow island flap nourished by sural nerve nutrition blood vessel for repair of severe frostbite of feet].
OBJECTIVE
The study was to verify the feasibility of an improved method using reverse flow island flap nourished by the sural nerve nutrition vessel to repair severe frostbite of feet.


METHODS
At the proximal end of the principal flap, an auxiliary triangular skin flap of 6.5 - 7 cm in length was designed in order to cover the pedicle of the principal flap. This operation was performed on 13 patients (21 feet) with frostbite.


RESULTS
All the flaps survived well. Postoperative follow-up for 5 - 18 months demonstrated satisfactory results in all the cases. No ulcer happened.


CONCLUSIONS
The method is helpful to prevent constriction of the pedicle and ensure blood supply of the flap. It is an ideal treatment for severe frostbite of feet.
Chen
Xiang-Jun
XJ
Department of Plastics and Burns, 253rd Hospital of PLA, Huhhot 010051, China.
Xing
Ji-Ping
JP
Yao
Xing-Wei
XW
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D018409:Foot Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D005627:Frostbite / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply / Q000294:innervation; D055815:Young Adult