Abstract:

Objective　To summarize and analyze the clinical curative effectof three different kinds of posterior tibial artery perforator flaps to repair the wounds of foot and ankle．Methods　From January 2008 to June 2014，26 patients with skin necrosis and defects of foot and ankle caused by trauma were treated with three different kinds of posterior tibial artery perforator flaps，including anterograde perforator flaps in 5 cases，perforator propeller flaps in 5 cases，and reversed perforator flaps in 16 cases．Above the flaps，the maximum was 15 cm×8 cm，and the smallest was 6 cm×4 cm.   Results　Flaps in 22 cases survived completely， flap in one case that had necrosis which washealed by debridement and skin graft after 2 weeks，and flaps in 3 cases that had marginal necrosis at the distal part of the flaps which scar healing by debridement after one to two months．All patients were followed for 3 to 36 months (mean 10 months)， the texture and appearance of flaps in 25 cases were excellent. In the case with flap necrosis and subsequent skin graft, obvious scar hyperplasia developed. In 5 cases, the flaps  were slightly bulky，but the function of the foot and ankle was not obviously influenced．Conclusion　According to the characteristics of wound surface of foot and ankle，using three different kinds of posterior tibial artery perforator flapscan obtain satisfactory clinical effect in treating the wounds，which is a simple and practical method．

Key words: Posterior tibial artery, Perforator flap, Foot, Ankle, Repair