[Clinical application of the saphenous neuro-veno-fascial cutaneous flap].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the clinical feasibility of different types of the saphenous neuro-venofascial cutaneous flaps.

METHODS

From June 1996 to October 2002, 18 cases of skin defects in the knee and the lower part of the limb were treated with proximally (4 cases) or distally (11 cases) based pedicles of saphenous neuro-venofascial cutaneous flap or crossleg flap (3 cases) according to the site of defects. The sizes of the flaps ranged from 4 cm x 5 cm to 9 cm x 20 cm.

RESULTS

The flaps survived completely in 17 cases, distal 1/5 of the flap necrosed partially in 1 case because of vein drainage disturbance. The colour and texture of flaps were excellent, the appearance and function were satisfactory after a follow up of 6-24 months.

CONCLUSION

The saphenous neuro-veno-fascial cutaneous flap is an idea flap in repairing skin defects of the knee, the leg, the ankle and the foot because it is easy to be designed and dissected and it has reliable blood supply and preserved main artery. The relationship between the septal perforating branches of the tibial posterior artery and survival size of flap need to be investigated further.