title: A novel flap to repair medial and lateral malleolar defects: anterior tibial artery perforator-based adipofascial flap.
abstract: Soft tissue coverage of the ankle is a difficult challenge. The adipofascial flap based on perforators of the anterior tibial artery was harvested from the dorsum of the foot and used for repairing of soft tissue defects either on the lateral or medial malleolar region in 7 patients. Two medial and 5 lateral malleolar defects were covered using the flap described. The size of flaps varied from 3.5 x 10 cm to 4.5 x 12 cm. All flaps had good perfusion and survived completely. Donor-site morbidity was minimal in all cases. Both functional and esthetical results were satisfactory. Because of thin and pliable features, this flap is suitable for repair of defects around the ankle region. In addition, donor-site morbidity of this flap is minimal, with an acceptable scar hidden in the shoe-wearing area.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Inonu University, Medical Faculty, Malatya, Turkey. hkilinc@inonu.edu.tr
authors.forename: Hidir
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kilinc
authors.forename: Bilge Turk
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Bilen
authors.forename: Ahmet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Arslan
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000637:transplantation*; D000293:Adolescent; D016512:Ankle Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D005205:Fascia / Q000637:transplantation*; D005260:Female; D018409:Foot Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*; D016909:Tibial Arteries; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology