Distally based sural neurocutaneous flap for ankle and foot reconstruction

ABSTRACT

To evaluate role of sural neurocutaneous flap for reconstruction of ankle and foot in our set up. Department of Plastic Surgery, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad. From January 1997 to August 2004. We conducted a prospective study to evaluate the role of distally based sural neurocutaneous flap for soft tissue reconstruction of the ankle and foot. A total of 33 patients with soft tissue defects of the ankle and foot were managed by this flap. Mean age of the patients was 31.8 years with range 10-70 years, 30 males and 3 female were included in the study. Most common cause of the defect was trauma and heel was the most common location. Mean flap length was 18.4 cm and mean width 6.2 cm. Range of flap dimensions was 12 x 4 cm. to 28 x 8 cm. Minor complications occurred in three cases. These included partial flap necrosis, wound dehiscence and flap oedema. We conclude that distally based sural neurocutaneous flap is a very effective tool for reconstructing the soft tissue defects in the difficult ankle and foot region