title: [Reversed sural neurovascular fasciocutaneous flap for reconstruction of soft tissue defects of lower limbs].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the clinical application of the reversed sural neurovascular fasciocutaneous flap.
  
  
  METHODS
  From January 2007 to May 2009,10 patients (6 males and 4 females) with soft tissue defects on lower limbs were treated by reversed sural neurovascular fasciocutaneous flap. The end-to-side neuroanastomosis were used to reinnervate the flap and microsurgery was used for anastomosing small saphenous vein. The age ranged from 16 to 55 years (mean, 32 years). There were 6 patient with soft tissue defects on foot, 2 patients with exposed bone after operation, 2 patients with chronic ulcer on limb. The patients were evaluated with appearance, blood supply, texture and 2-PD of the flaps.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All the patients were followed for 6 to 24 months (mean, 15 months). The flaps in all 10 patients survived completely. The appearance, blood supply and texture of the flaps were excellent and 2-PD was 9 to 12 mm.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This flap has sufficient blood supply and high survival rate. It also effectively retains the feeling of dorsolateral heeland improved quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Third People's Hospital of Hangzhou Affiliated to Zhejiang University of TCM, Hangzhou 310009, Zhejiang, China. jackmzhf@yahoo.com.cn
authors.forename: Zheng-Feng
authors.initials: ZF
authors.lastname: Mei
authors.forename: Pan-Deng
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Qun-Li
authors.initials: QL
authors.lastname: Duanmu
authors.forename: Wen-Tao
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: Lei
authors.forename: Qi-Hui
authors.initials: QH
authors.lastname: Zhao
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000098:blood supply / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult