Application of the reversed sural neurocutaneous island flap in repairing the soft tissue defect of the foot and ankle(report of 38 cases) / 中国矫形外科杂志

ABSTRACT

[Objective]To investigate the clinic application of the reversed sural neurocutaneous island flap in repairing the soft tissue defect of the foot and ankle.[Method]From June 1997 to December 2007,38 cases of the lower leg,around the ankle and the heel soft tissue defects were treated with the reversed sural neurocutaneous island flap.The average of the patients was 38.3 years(range 5 to 65).The longest medical history was 11 years.The lagest area of flap was 17 cm?12 cm and the smallest was 5 cm?4 cm.[Result]Thirty-three flaps were completely survived,there were 5 cases with distal edge of the flaps partially necrosis and healed after short time dressing change.The patients were followed up for half a year to 10 years and the curative effect was satisfactory.[Conclusion]The reversed sural neurocutaneous flap is simple to harvest and its blood supply is reliable without the sacrifice of a major blood vessel.So it is an ideal method for repairing the soft tissue defect of the foot and ankle.