Abstract:

Objective　To explore clinical effects of the distally based neurocutaneous saphenous island flap on the repairing of soft tissue defects in the dorsum of foot.　Methods　According to the size and site of the defect and the rotation point, the flap was designed, based on the arterial axis associated with the saphenous nerve and the greater saphenous vein. 11 patients received surgical flap transplantation.　Results　For all of cases, neurocutaneous saphenous island flaps survived well. The area of lived flaps ranged from 7.0cm×4.0cm to 11.0 cm×6.0 cm. The patients were followed up for 6 to 10 months. All the flaps survived completely, with the satisfied appearance and functions.　Conclusions　The blood supply of medial-distal leg is abundant, which is the anatomic basis for designing and using of neurocutaneous flap, furthermore, the distally based saphenous neurocutaneous flap is useful for repairing of soft tissue defect in forefoot.

Key words: Perforator artery, Saphenous nerve, Flap, Instep,  , Distal, Defect