Soft tissue reconstruction of the foot using the distally based island pedicle flap after resection of malignant melanoma.
BACKGROUND
We report on our experience with using a distally based island flap for soft tissue reconstruction of the foot in limb salvage surgery for malignant melanoma patients.


METHODS
A distally based sural flap was used for 10 cases for the hindfoot reconstruction, and a lateral supramalleolar flap was used for 3 cases for the lateral arch reconstruction of the mid- and forefoot after wide excision of malignant melanomas.


RESULTS
The length of the flap varied from 7.5 cm to 12 cm (mean, 9.6 cm) and the width varied from 6.5 cm to 12 cm (mean, 8.8 cm). Superficial necrosis developed in four flaps, but this was successfully treated by debridement and suture or a skin graft. All thirteen flaps survived completely and they provided good contour, stable and durable coverage for normal weight bearing.


CONCLUSIONS
The distally based sural flap is considered to be useful for reconstructing the hindfoot, and the lateral supramalleolar flap is good for reconstructing the lateral archs of the mid- and forefoot after resection of malignant melanoma of the foot.
Orthopaedic Oncology Clinic, National Cancer Center, Ilsan-gu, Goyang, Korea.
Hyun Guy
HG
Kang
June Hyuk
JH
Kim
Hwan Seong
HS
Cho
Ilkyu
I
Han
Joo Han
JH
Oh
Han-Soo
HS
Kim
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot / Q000601:surgery*; D005534:Foot Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D058752:Free Tissue Flaps; D006801:Humans; D023821:Limb Salvage; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*