Chinese Journal Of Clinical Anatomy ›› 2011, Vol. 29 ›› Issue (3): 343-345.

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Perforator-based neurocutaneous vascular flap of superficial peroneal nerve for ankle reconstruction

QIN Yi 1,2,  JIANG Jian-ming1, QIN Jie2   

  1. 1. Department of Spinal Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China;  2.Department of Orthopedics, Zhuhai Hospital, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhuhai 519020, China
  • Received:2010-12-10 Online:2011-05-25 Published:2011-05-21

Abstract:

Objective To report the perforator-based neurocutaneous nutritional flap of the superficial peroneal nerve for covering soft-tissue defects around the lateral malleolus. Methods The portable Doppler ultrasound was employed to locate the perforators from the peroneal artery, and the most appropriate one was adopted as the vascular pedicle; based on this perforator, the retrograde perforator-based neurocutaneous nutritional flap of the superficial peroneal nerve was harvested for coverage of soft-tissue defects around the lateral malleolus complicated by exposure of the tendon and the bone, with its axis based on the direction of the nutritional plexus of the superficial peroneal nerve. Results 9 cases were included in this group, with 6 of them being male, 3 of them being female; their ages fell between 20 and 45 years old, with an average of 32 years old. The size of the defect ranged from 3cm×5 cm to 7cm×11cm, and the size of the flap ranged from 4cm×6 cm to 8cm×12 cm. All flaps survived well, with excellent color and reparative outcome. After an average 2-month follow-up, all patients were pain-free and can ambulate with normal gaits. Conclusions The perforator-based neurocutaneous nutritional flap of the superficial peroneal nerve is a versatile flap that can be manipulated to resurface the complicated soft-tissue defects around the lateral malleolus. It is a pliable flap with a reliable blood supply and an optimal combination of the perforator flap and the neurocutaneous nutritional flap.

Key words: Superficial peroneal nerve, Perforator-based flap, Lateral malleolus, Reconstruction

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