title: A convenient flap for repairing the donor area of a distally based sural flap: Gastrocnemius perforator island flap.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The reconstruction of complex lower leg and foot defects is difficult for plastic surgeons. The distally based sural flap (DBSF) is an option for non-free flap lower leg reconstruction. However, one of the major drawbacks of the DBSF is its aesthetically non-acceptable donor area scarring.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight patients (six men and two women) who had lower leg or foot defects were evaluated in this study. We used an ipsilateral or cross-leg DBSF to repair the defect. A medial or lateral gastrocnemius perforator island flap (average size 8.1 × 6.1 cm) was used to cover the donor area of the DBSF in a two-stage operative procedure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We did not observe any complications with the gastrocnemius perforator island flap. Two patients had local infections under the DBSF and were treated with bacteria-specific antibiotherapy. All patients were followed up for 1 year postoperatively. The donor areas of the distally based sural flaps were aesthetically acceptable. Patients gained ambulatory status during the follow-up period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Reconstruction of the donor area of a DBSF with a gastrocnemius perforator island flap allows for more acceptable aesthetics and functional results than do other reconstructive procedures.
authors.affiliation: Çukurova University, Medical Faculty, Department of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, 01330 Saricam, Adana, Turkey. Electronic address: cengizeser01@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Cengiz
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Eser
authors.affiliation: Çukurova University, Medical Faculty, Department of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, 01330 Saricam, Adana, Turkey.
authors.forename: Eyüphan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gencel
authors.affiliation: Çukurova University, Medical Faculty, Department of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, 01330 Saricam, Adana, Turkey.
authors.forename: Erol
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kesiktaş
authors.affiliation: Çukurova University, Medical Faculty, Department of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, 01330 Saricam, Adana, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ömer
authors.initials: Ö
authors.lastname: Kokaçya
authors.affiliation: Çukurova University, Medical Faculty, Department of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, 01330 Saricam, Adana, Turkey.
authors.forename: Metin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yavuz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg; D007869:Leg Injuries / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal; D061525:Perforator Flap; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D060053:Transplant Donor Site / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016138:Walking; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Defect; Gastrocnemius; Island; Perforator; Reconstruction; Sural flap