Objective To investigate the distribution of the perforating branches artery of distally-based flap of sural nerve nutrient vessels and its clinical application. Methods The origins and distribution of perforating branchesartery of distally-based flap were observed on specimens of 30 adult cadavericlow limbs by perfusing red gelatin to dissect the artery.Among the 36 cases, there were 21 males, 15 females. Their ages ranged from 6 to 66, 35.2 in average. The defect area was 3.5 cm×2.5 cm to 17.0 cm×11.0 cm. The flap taken ranged from 4 cm×3 cm to 18 cm×12 cm. Results The perforating branches artery of distally-based flap had 2 to 5 branches and originated from the heel lateral artery, the terminal perforating branches of peroneal artery(diameters were 0.6±0.2 mm and 0.8±0.2 mm, 1.0±1.3 cm and 2.8±1.0 cm to the level of cusp lateral malleolus cusp).The intermuscular septum perforating branches of peroneal artery had 0 to 3 branches. Their rate of presence was 96.7%,66.7% and 20.0% respectively(the diameters were 0.9±0.3, 1.0±0.2 and 0.8±0.4 mm, andtheir distances to the level of cusp of lateral malleolus were 5.3±2.1, 6.8±2.8 and 7.0±4.0 cm). Those perforating branches included fascia branches, cutaneous branches, nerve and vein nutrient branches. Those nutrient vessels formed longitudinal vessel chain of sural nerve shaft, vessel chain of vein side and vessel network of deep superficial fascia. The distally-based superficial sural artery island flap was used in 18 cases, all flaps survived. Conclusion Distally-based sural nerve, small saphenous vein, and nutrient vessels of fascia skin have the same origin. Rotation point of flap is 3.0 cm to the cusp of lateral malleolus, when the distally-based flap is pedicled with the terminal branch of peroneal artery.Rotation point of flap is close to the cusp of lateral malleolus, when the distally-based flap is pedicled with the heel lateral artery.
ObjectiveTo assess the effectiveness of the sural fasciomyocutaneous perforator flap in repair of soft tissue defect in weight-bearing area of the foot. MethodsBetween January 2007 and September 2010, 19 patients with soft tissue defects in the weight-bearing area of the foot were treated with sural fasciomyocutaneous perforator flaps. The etiology was traffic accident in 16 patients and crush injury in 3 patients. The interval of injury and admission was 2 hours to 14 days. The size of defect ranged from 8 cm×6 cm to 26 cm×16 cm; the size of flap ranged from 7 cm×7 cm to 25 cm×12 cm. The donor sites were repaired by free skin graft. The flap survival was observed after operation, and the pain score and sensory recovery at the reci pient site were used to assess the effectiveness. ResultsThe flaps survived with satisfactory aesthetic and functional results in 18 cases. Partial flap necrosis was noted and second healing was achieved after spl it thickness skin grafting in 1 case. One case of delayed ulceration was also noted after 5 weeks, ulceration was successfully cured after wound care and avoidance of weightbearing for 2 weeks. All patients were followed up 9-25 months (mean, 14.1 months). The flaps had good appearance, without bulky pedicle. Superficial sensation and deep sensation were restored in 17 cases (89.4%) and 18 cases (94.7%) respectively at last follow-up. ConclusionSural fasciomyocutaneous perforator flap is a rel iable modality in heel reconstruction, having the advantages of low ulceration rate, good wear resistance, and good sensation recovery.
Objective To investigate the clinical results of allograft and sural neurovascular flap in repairing calcaneus and skin defects.Methods From February 1996 to December 2002, allograft and sural neurovascular flap were used to repair calcaneusand skin defects in 6 cases. The causes included road accident in 3 cases, strangulation in 2 cases and crashing object in 1 case. The defect locations were at theback of the calcaneus( 1/3, 1/2 and 2/3 of calcaneus in 3 cases, 2 cases and 1case respectively). The flap area ranged from 6 cm×7 cm to 12 cm×17 cm. Results The flaps survived completely in 4 cases; the distal flaps necrosed partly in 2 cases and the wound healed by dressing. The postoperative X-ray films showed that the repaired bone and joint had normal position and the arcus plantaris recovered. After a follow upof 6 months to 3 years all the patients were achieved bone union in allograft and had no complications of absorption, infection and repulsion. The weightbearing and walking functions were restored and the injured foot obtained a satisfactory contour. After 36 months of operation, the sensory recovery of foot occurred. Conclusion The used-allograft iseasy to be obtained and arcus plantaris is easy to recover. The reversesural neurovascular- flap in repairing calcaneus and skin defects has the following advantages: the maintenance of blood supply for injured foot, the less dangerous operation, the simple procedure, the recovery of walking function, and the good appearance and sensation.
Objective To investigate the effectiveness of distally pedicled peroneus brevis muscle flaps and reverse sural neurovascular island flaps for post-traumatic chronic calcaneal osteomyelitis and soft tissue defects. Methods Between January 2008 and January 2012, 9 patients suffering from post-traumatic chronic calcaneal osteomyelitis and soft tissue defects were treated, including 8 males and 1 female with an average age of 33 years (range, 18-46 years). The left heel was involved in 4 cases, and right heel in 5 cases. Infection occurred after reduction and internal fixation of closed fractures of the calcaneus in 7 cases, and open calcaneal fracture and soft tissue defect in 2 cases. The disease duration was 2 months to 3 years (mean, 5 months). Purulent secretion, tissue necrosis, or sinus formation was observed in all wounds. The results of bacterial culture were positive. X-ray and CT examination showed uneven density of calcaneus and bone cavity or dead bone formation. After thorough debridement, the size of bone defect ranged from 3 cm × 3 cm × 3 cm to 6 cm × 4 cm × 3 cm; the size of soft tissue defect ranged from 7 cm × 3 cm to 12 cm × 7 cm. The distally pedicled peroneus brevis muscle flaps (11 cm × 3 cm-16 cm × 4 cm) were used for bone defect repair, and reverse sural neurovascular island flaps (8 cm × 4 cm-14 cm × 8 cm) for soft tissue defect. The donor site was directly sutured in 6 cases and repaired by skin graft in 3 cases. Results After operation, reverse sural neurovascular island flaps survived in 9 cases, and all wounds healed by first intention. No necrosis or liquefaction of distally pedicled peroneus brevis muscle flaps was observed. Incision at donor site healed by first intention, and skin grafts at donor site survived. All cases were followed up 6-24 months (mean, 13.5 months). The flaps had good texture. No recurrence of osteomyelitis was observed. Basic weight-bearing walking function was restorated. No obvious calcaneal collapse happened. Conclusion The distally pedicled peroneus brevis muscle flap combined with reverse sural neurovascular island flap is one of the effective methods to treat post-traumatic chronic calcaneal osteomyelitis with soft tissue defect, with the advantages of simple operation and good blood supply.