title: The coverage of skin defects over the foot and ankle using the distally based sural neurocutaneous flaps: experience of 21 cases.
abstract: Skin defects over the foot and ankle remain a challenge to plastic surgeons. The distally based sural neurocutaneous flap is a reliable and effective procedure. The authors have performed 21 cases (22 flaps) since 2000. Twenty-one flaps survived uneventfully. The recipient range included the dorsum of the foot, heel and forefoot. The texture, thickness and colour were satisfactory although pressure ulcers occurred on flaps over the weight-bearing region, such as sole. The factors that influence the survival of the flap are the width of the pedicle, ligation of the lesser saphenous vein and complete vascular network around the ankle.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hand Surgery, The first hospital of Ji Lin University, Chang Chun 130021, PR China. gongxu1973@yahoo.com.cn
authors.forename: Gong
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Lu
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lai-Jin
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016512:Ankle Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; D018409:Foot Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods; D012867:Skin / Q000293:injuries*; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D013524:Surgical Flaps