Nerve sparing-distally based sural flap

Microsurgery. 2011 May;31(4):276-80. doi: 10.1002/micr.20868. Epub 2011 Apr 26.

Abstract

The management of soft-tissue defects in the ankle and foot area is a challenging task. Distally based sural flap is widely used, however it leaves donor area paresthesia. For this purpose, the sural nerve was dissected and preserved in the distally based sural flap in five cases of ankle and foot soft tissue reconstruction. This modification did not cause any compromise in flap circulation. All flaps survived with one partial distal necrosis. We suggest that, the distally based nerve sparing sural flap can be securely elevated with only a 3-4 cm wide subcutaneous pedicle without any compromise in flap circulation.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Ankle
  • Child
  • Foot
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Plastic Surgery Procedures
  • Sural Nerve / surgery*
  • Surgical Flaps / blood supply
  • Surgical Flaps / innervation*
  • Wounds and Injuries / surgery*
  • Young Adult