[The distally based sural fascio-cutaneous flap. A new technic for the coverage of loss of substance of the lower leg].

Prognosis of compound open fractures has been transformed by the use of plastic surgery to cover wounds. However, loss of substance of lower third of leg remains a delicate problem frequently requiring the use of microsurgical techniques by experienced teams. The sural cutaneo-aponeurotic distal base flap, the subject of a detailed anatomical study by the authors, can resolve the problem without affecting muscle capital and at the price of minor esthetic sequelae. Results in two clinical cases confirm reliability of this flap.