[Repair of anterior tibial, dorsal pedal and calcaneal soft-tissue defects with lateral crural flaps].

OBJECTIVE

To report the methods and clinical effect of the lateral crural flaps in repairing anterior tibial, dorsal and calcaneal soft-tissue defects.

METHODS

From August 1999 to December 2004, 18 cases of defects were repaired with lateral crural flap, including 15 cases of anterior tibial, dorsal and calcaneal soft-tissue defects with vascular pedicled island lateral crural flaps and 3 cases of dorsal pedal soft-tissue defects with free vascular lateral crural flaps.

RESULTS

All flaps survived after operation. Insufficient arterial supply of the flap occurred in 2 cases after operation, the pedicled incision sewing thread was removed and lidocaine was injected around vascular pedicle, then the flap ischemia was released. Inadequate venous return and venous hyperemia occurred in 1 case because peroneal vein was injured during operation. The flap edge skin was cut and heparin was locally dripped for one week, the flap vascular cycle was resumed. All patients were followed up two months to one year, the flaps were not fat, and the elasticity was good.

CONCLUSION

It is safe and reliable to use lateral crural flap to repair anterior tibial, dorsal pedal and calcaneal soft-tissue defects.