Distally based adipofascial flaps covering soft-tissue defects of the dorsal foot and ankle in children.

ABSTRACT

Dorsal soft-tissue defects of the foot and ankle are difficult to cover adequately, particularly in children, although multiple options for reconstruction are available. This study reports the long-term clinical outcomes of the use of distally based adipofascial flaps for these injuries in children. Fourteen children, all younger than 9 years, had relatively homogenous local lesions on the dorsum of the foot and ankle or on the distal lower leg. All 14 defects were covered with distally based adipofascial flaps, either lateral supramalleolar flaps (11 cases) or sural flaps (3 cases), after thorough wound debridement. The minimum follow-up interval was 5 years. The appearance of the reconstructed feet aesthetically and functionally satisfied the patients and their parents. Some patients exhibited a growth mismatch between grafted skin and the recipient site, resulting in mild extension contracture of the metatarsophalangeal joints; however, motion of the ankle joints was excellent.