DISTALLY BASED SURAL FASCIOCUTANEOUS FLAP FOR SOFT TISSUE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE DISTAL LEG, ANKLE AND FOOT DEFECTS

Authors

  • Samira Ajmal
  • Muhammad Ayub Khan
  • Riaz Ahmed Khan
  • Muhammad Shadman
  • Kanwal Yousof
  • Tariq Iqbal

Abstract

Background: Soft tissue management around the lower third of the leg and foot presents aconsiderable challenge to the reconstructive plastic surgeon. The options in this region are limited. Adurable flap is the preferred option for coverage of such defects. This descriptive study was conductedat Hayatabad Medical Complex and Said Anwar Medical Centre Peshawar over a period of 4 years toevaluate the efficacy of distally based Sural flap in coverage of the lower third of leg, ankle and footdefects, in 25 patients. Methods: A descriptive study was conducted at the department of Plastic andReconstructive Surgery at Hayatabad Medical Complex and Said Anwar Medical centre Peshawar. 25patients with soft tissue defects over the distal leg and foot were included in this study. Distally basedsural fasciocutaneous flap was used for coverage in all cases and its survival, successful coverage of thedefect and donor site morbidity studied. Results: Out of 25 flaps, 20 showed complete survival (80%).Partial flap loss was found in 2 patients (8%), marginal flap necrosis in 2 patients (8%) and completeloss in 1 patient (4%). Conclusions: The distally based sural flap is a versatile and reliable flap for thecoverage of soft tissue defects of the distal lower extremity. The procedure is done as a single stage; thedissection is easy with short operating time and minimal morbidity.Key Words: Distally based Sural flap; distal leg, heel and foot defects; reconstruction of foot

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Published

2009-12-01

Issue

Vol. 21 No. 4 (2009): JOURNAL OF AYUB MEDICAL COLLEGE, ABBOTTABAD

Section

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

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