Comparative Analysis of the Treatment of Skin Lesions of the Lower Limbs with Sural Flap versus Propeller Flap

Katherine V Tenezaca; Gustavo Bersani Silva; Raquel Bernardelli Iamaguchi; Marcelo Rosa de Rezende; Teng Hsiang Wei; Álvaro B Cho

doi:10.1055/s-0041-1740199

Comparative Analysis of the Treatment of Skin Lesions of the Lower Limbs with Sural Flap versus Propeller Flap

Rev Bras Ortop (Sao Paulo). 2022 Feb 9;57(5):781-787. doi: 10.1055/s-0041-1740199. eCollection 2022 Oct.

Authors

Katherine V Tenezaca¹, Gustavo Bersani Silva¹, Raquel Bernardelli Iamaguchi¹, Marcelo Rosa de Rezende¹, Teng Hsiang Wei¹, Álvaro B Cho¹

Affiliation

¹ Grupo de Mão e Microcirurgia do Instituto de Ortopedia e Traumatologia do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (IOT-HCFMUSP), São Paulo, SP, Brasil.

Abstract

Objective The objective of the present study was to prospectively compare the sural and propeller flaps for soft-tissues coverage of the lower extremity. The following variables were evaluated: incidence of complete or partial flap loss and donor area morbidity (primary closure versus skin graft). Methods Prospective and randomized analysis of data collected from all patients presenting with soft tissue defects of the lower third of the leg and heel treated with reverse sural or propeller flaps. Results Twenty-four patients aged between 4 and 60 years old were evaluated between 2011 and 2017. Complete coverage was obtained in 22 of the 24 patients (91.6%). Two flaps failed (8.4%). The sural flap, being the most popular option, continues to represent a safe and versatile alternative for skin defects of the lower third of the leg and heel region. Likewise, the propeller flap was a comparable option to treat these challenging defects. Conclusion Sural and propeller flaps are good options for soft tissues coverage of the lower extremity, with low complication rates (partial or total flap loss).

Keywords: perforator flap; surgical flaps; transplant donor site.

Sociedade Brasileira de Ortopedia e Traumatologia. This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commecial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ ).

Grants and funding

Fontes de Financiamento A presente pesquisa não recebeu nenhuma bolsa específica de agências de fomento nos setores público, comercial ou sem fins lucrativos.