Abstract:

Objective　To summarize the clinical effects of repairing skin defects in foot by distally based tarsal tunnel arterial perforator flap.　Methods　Between June 2005 and June 2013, based on the anatomic study of arterial perforators of tarsal tunnel, thirty-six patients with soft-tissue defects in the foot underwent reconstruction with the distally based tarsal tunnel arterial perforator flap. The etiology of injury: twenty-four cases were caused by traffic accident, two by crashing objects. The defect locations were as follows: fourteen at the dorsal foot, twenty-two at the medial margin of foot. The defect size ranged from 5.0 cm×3.0 cm to 16.5 cm×10.0 cm. The smallest dimension of the flap was 6.0 cm×4.0 cm and the largest ranged from 7.0 cm×5.0 cm to 18.0 cm×12.0 cm. The rotation point of the distal pedicle was at the medial malleolus.  Results    33 of total 36 cases obtained primary healing, and the other 3 obtained secondary healing. Postoperative follow-ups of the patients ranged from 5 to 15 months. All flaps survived completely with good color, and the appearance and function were satisfying. The donor site healed without morbidity after reconstruction with skin-grafting.　Conclusion　The distally based tarsal tunnel arterial perforator s flap is an ideal option for repairing soft tissue defects of distal segment of foots．

Key words: Arterial perforators, Saphenous nerve, Great saphenous vein, Tarsal tunnel, Distally based