[Reconstruction of foot and ankle defect with reversed sural neurofasciocutaneous flaps in children].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the clinical application of reversed sural neurofasciocutaneous flaps in children.


METHODS
From January 2002 to January 2007, 16 children patients with deep defect of foot and ankle were treated with reversed sural neurofasciocutaneous flaps. The size of the flaps ranged from 6.5 cm x 5.0 cm to 17 cm x 10 cm. The upper margin of the flaps reached the upper one-third of the leg in 10 cases, with 2 cases reaching the popliteal fossa and 1 case reaching 1.5 cm above the transverse line of popliteal fossa.


RESULTS
The flaps survived completely in 14 cases. There were partial necrosis at the distal end of flap in one case and superficial necrosis at the distal end of the flap in one case. The wounds were healed spontaneously after secondary suture and dressing change. The patients were followed up for 2 - 46 months with good aesthetic results.


CONCLUSIONS
The reverse sural neurofasciocutaneous flaps in children has a reliable survival area, which can reach the upper on -third of the leg until the transverse line of popliteal fossa. It is an ideal reconstructive method for deep defect of foot and ankle.
Dong
Zhong-Gen
ZG
Department of Orthopedics, 2nd Xiangya Hospital, Central SouthUniversity, Changsha 410011, China.
Liu
Li-Hong
LH
Zheng
Lei
L
D016512:Ankle Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D018409:Foot Injuries / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D013497:Sural Nerve / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000637:transplantation; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*