title: Distally Based Saphenous Neurocutaneous Perforator Flap: A Versatile Donor Site for Reconstruction of Soft Tissue Defects of the Medial Malleolar Region.
abstract: Repair of both simple and complex defects in the medial malleolar region continues to be a challenging task for surgeons because of the local paucity of soft tissue available for transfer. The popular neurocutaneous flap has provided a reliable and less technically demanding method for resurfacing defects of the lower extremities. We present our experience with the versatile design of the distally based saphenous neurocutaneous perforator flap to provide coverage of complex post-traumatic medial malleolar defects by harvesting multiple tissue components in various combinations. Our series included 11 patients (8 males [72.7%] and 3 females [27.3%]); mean age 39.2 (range 22 to 58) years, who were followed for a mean duration of 13.3 (range 9 to 18) months. Three flaps (27.3%) were harvested with massive subcutaneous tissue to obliterate dead space. The procedure was uneventful in 10 patients (90.9%). Venous congestion was noted in 1 patient (9.1%), in whom secondary healing was achieved with conservative treatment.
authors.affiliation: Orthopedist, Department of Repair and Reconstruction Surgery, Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital of Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Wanrun
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhong
authors.affiliation: Orthopedist, Department of Repair and Reconstruction Surgery, Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital of Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Shengdi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Repair and Reconstruction Surgery, Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital of Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China. Electronic address: Chaiyimin@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Yimin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chai
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016512:Ankle Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D061525:Perforator Flap / Q000098:blood supply*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: microsurgery; reconstruction; reverse flap; saphenous nerve; soft tissue defect