title: Popliteal fossa reconstruction with a medial sural artery perforator free flap using the medial sural vessel as the recipient.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Reconstruction of the popliteal fossa using a free flap is challenging. Therefore, to facilitate easier free flap reconstruction of the popliteal fossa, we use a medial sural artery perforator (MSAP) free flap with a medial sural vessel as the recipient vessel, as it provides several advantages based on many reports.
  
  
  METHODS
  This report describes the authors' experience and outcomes with this technique. Between October 2010 and January 2015, 10 patients with medium-sized defects in their popliteal fossa underwent MSAP free flap reconstruction using the medial sural vessel as the recipient vessel. The flap size and thickness were evaluated, as well as the pedicle length, for each case.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The skin flap sizes ranged from 60-112 cm2. The average flap thickness was 6 mm (range = 4-8 mm), and the average pedicle length was 7.5 cm (range = 6-9 cm). Full flap survival was observed in nine cases, and flap tip necrosis was observed in one case during a mean follow-up of 15 months (range = 3-36 months). MSAP free flap reconstruction was performed for moderate-sized defects in the popliteal fossa, using the medial sural vessel as the recipient vessel.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The obvious advantages of this technique included simple vascular anastomosis (minimal size discrepancy), no intraoperative position changes, and good aesthetic outcomes (replacing like with like).
authors.affiliation: a Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery , Konyang University Hospital, University of Konyang College of Medicine, Myunggok Medical Research Center , Daejeon , South Korea.
authors.forename: Kyu Nam
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: a Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery , Konyang University Hospital, University of Konyang College of Medicine, Myunggok Medical Research Center , Daejeon , South Korea.
authors.forename: Sang Il
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: b Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery , Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine , Ulsan , South Korea.
authors.forename: Won
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ha
authors.affiliation: b Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery , Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine , Ulsan , South Korea.
authors.forename: Chi Sun
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Yoon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018409:Foot Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D058752:Free Tissue Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000601:surgery; D007869:Leg Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D061525:Perforator Flap / Q000098:blood supply*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Medial sural artery perforator free flap; medial sural vessel; popliteal fossa; vascular anastomosis