Examination of the skin perforators of the posterior tibial artery on the leg and the ankle region and their clinical use.
BACKGROUND
There are many treatment alternatives for reconstruction of leg and foot defects. One of these treatment alternatives includes local flaps. A detailed understanding of the blood flow of the leg region is essential for producing new alternatives for the reconstruction of defects of this region.


METHODS
The leg and foot region blood flow was examined on 11 fresh cadavers, and perforators of this region were examined in three zones. Perforator numbers and their diameters were defined at this region. It was determined in cadaver studies that especially zones I and II were more suitable for the planned flaps based on perforators of the posterior tibial artery. In a clinical study that accompanies this anatomical study, eight patients underwent reconstruction by flaps based on the perforators of the posterior tibial artery.


RESULTS
Patients were followed for 3 to 14 months. In three patients, venous drainage problems had developed, and in one of them, partial flap loss had developed. This partially necrosed region was left to heal by secondary intention. Venous drainage problems resolved in 5 to 7 days in the two remaining patients. No other complications were seen.


CONCLUSIONS
Regarding the results of the clinical study, the authors observed that this flap can provide the desired soft-tissue support for defects that expose the bones, tendons, and neural and vascular bundles.
Ozdemir
Ragip
R
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Clinic, Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. ragipoya@hotmail.com
Kocer
Ugur
U
Sahin
Belma
B
Oruc
Melike
M
Kilinc
Hidir
H
Tekdemir
Ibrahim
I
D000328:Adult; D000842:Ankle / Q000098:blood supply*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*; D016909:Tibial Arteries / Q000033:anatomy & histology*