Publication: Comparison of Reverse Sural Artery Fasciocutaneous Flap in Soft Tissue Reconstruction Between above Ankle and Below Ankle Defect
Date
2022
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kathmandu University
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Background
Fasciocutaneous reverse sural artery flap is a popular option to treat soft tissue
defects in the distal leg, ankle, and foot region.
Objective
To compare the results of sural artery flap reconstruction between the above ankle
and below ankle soft tissue defect.
Method
It was a retrospective study of sural flap reconstruction of varied etiology for the
defect grouped as above ankle and below ankle operated over a period of five years.
Flap and graft take-up, rate of primary healing, margin necrosis, and complications
were the assessed outcome variables.
Result
There were a total of 37 patients, 17 cases of the above ankle and 20 cases of below
ankle sural flap reconstruction analyzed in the study. Road traffic accident was the
most common cause and the mean size of the defect was 40.70 cm2. The overall
flap take-up rate was 94.6%, partial margin necrosis was in 6 patients, and > 50%
flap necrosis was in 2 cases. The rate of primary healing, margin necrosis and mean
healing time were 17 (100%) vs 12 (60%), 0 vs 8 cases (6 margin necrosis and 2 cases
of > 50% of flap necrosis), and 20.04 days vs 22.50 days respectively in the above
ankle and below ankle flap reconstruction groups. These differences were statistically
significant.
Conclusion
Fasciocutaneous reverse sural artery flap is an excellent choice for reconstruction
of the defect at the distal leg and around the ankle region with a high success rate.
Below ankle flap reconstruction showed a higher rate of margin necrosis, longer
healing time, and less rate of primary healing as compared to the above ankle group.
KEY WORDS
Above ankle, Below ankle, Fasciocutaneous reverse sural artery flap, Flap take-up,
Margin necrosis
Description
Pandey S, Bidary S
Department of Orthopedics
College of Medical Sciences
Bharatpur, Chitwan, Nepal
Keywords
Above ankle, Below ankle, Fasciocutaneous reverse sural artery flap, Flap take-up, Margin necrosis