Resurfacing the donor sites of reverse sural artery flaps using thoracodorsal artery perforator flaps

Background The reverse sural artery (RSA) flap is widely used for lower extremity reconstruction. However, patients sometimes suffer from donor site complications such as scar contracture and paresthesia, resulting in dissatisfaction with the aesthetic outcomes. This study investigated the characteristics of donor site morbidity associated with RSA flaps and described our experiences of dealing with complications by performing resurfacing surgery using thoracodorsal artery perforator (TDAP) flaps.Methods From April 2008 to August 2018, a total of 11 patients underwent contracture release and resurfacing surgery using TDAP flaps due to donor morbidity associated with RSA flaps. All affected donor sites were covered with a skin graft, the most common of which was a meshed split-thickness skin graft (six cases).Results Eight of the 11 patients (72.7%) suffered from pain and discomfort due to scar contracture, and seven (63.6%) complained of a depression scar. The donor sites were located 6.3±4.1 cm below the knee joint, and their average size was 140.1 cm². After resurfacing using TDAP flaps, significant improvements were found in the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) scores and the active and passive ranges of motion (AROM and PROM) of the knee joint. The LEFS scores increased from 45.1 to 56.7 postoperatively (P=0.003), AROM increased from 108.2° to 118.6° (P=0.003), and PROM from 121.4° to 126.4° (P=0.021).Conclusions Planning of RSA flaps should take into account donor site morbidity. If complications occur at the donor site, resurfacing surgery using TDAP flaps achieves aesthetic and functional improvements.

Comparison between Free Anterolateral Thigh Flap and Free Medial Sural Artery Perforator Flap in Reconstruction of Post Traumatic Soft Tissue Defects of Dorsum of the Foot

Background: The objective of this study was to compare the pliability, the function, aesthetic outcome, complications and patient satisfaction between free anterolateral thigh flap and free medial sural artery perforator flap in reconstruction of post traumatic soft tissue defects of dorsum of the foot. Method: The study was conducted on forty patients with post traumatic soft tissue defects of the dorsum of the foot between August 2018 and August 2019. Patients were divided randomly into two groups. In group1 (20 patients), the defects were reconstructed with free anterolateral thigh perforator flap. In group 2 (20 patients), reconstruction was done by free medial sural artery perforator flap. Result: In group 1 (ALT flap), Complete flap survival was achieved in 100% of cases. Thirteen patients required secondary debulking procedures and scar revisions. In group 2 (MSAP Flap), Complete flap survival was achieved in 85% with one flap totally lost and two flaps had distal necrosis. One patient needed scar revision and another patient needed flap advancement. Conclusion: MSAP flap is superior to ALT flap. It has many advantages: it is thin, pliable, fitted to normal footwear, less hairy and there is no need for secondary procedures in most cases.

Single Stage Reconstruction of Posterior Soft Tissue Ankle Defects with a Free Anterolateral Thigh Flap and Rolled Tensor Fascia Lata for Functional Tendo-Achilles Reconstruction - A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Soft tissue defects in the posterior ankle region with underlying Achilles tendon loss pose a reconstructive challenge to both Orthopaedic and Plastic surgeons. Such injuries can result in a severely debilitating sequelae for the patient, therefore reconstruction of the area must provide reliable function and durability with minimal complications and aesthetically pleasing results to enable normal foot wear. We describe the case of a twenty-seven year old male, who presented following a traumatic open rupture of the Achilles tendon and failed reverse sural artery flap. We performed a single stage composite soft tissue reconstruction with a free anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap and rolled vascularised Tensor Fascia Lata (TFL) for functional Achilles tendon reconstruction. The patient had no post-operative complications and was able to fully weight bear and dorsiflex his foot beyond ninety degrees at seven month follow-up. Whilst many options are available to reconstruct this area, we review the literature to illustrate the advantages of using this technique to achieve all of the above factors, and advocate for all foot and ankle surgeons to be aware of its use in their reconstructive repertoire.

Post road traffic accident one-month old, extra-large heel defect coverage by delayed reverse sural artery flap: an interesting case report

Post road traffic accident (RTA) complete heel avulsion injury is not very common, but once it happened, it is very challenging to plastic and reconstructive surgeon to reconstruct the total heal avulsion defect. There is paucity of soft tissue in the region of foot, ankle and lower one third of leg. Although the micro vascular free flap reconstruction is gold standard for reconstruction of large heel defect but not feasible most of the time. Reverse sural artery flap (RSAF) is a workhorse flap for reconstruction of heel and lower 1/3rd leg defect. Here we reported a case of 28 years old young man, who had road traffic accident and sustained complete right heel avulsion injury with calcaneal and right tibia bone fracture. Patient was presented to author one month later after the injury with extra-large infective right heel defect size 15×12 cm with k-wires in exposed calcaneal bone. Patient’s surgery was done in two stages. Delayed RSAF survived completely and well settled in our case.

Versatility of Reverse Sural Artery Flap for Coverage of Heel and Proximal Foot Defects in Children

Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the versatility of reverse sural artery flap in terms of its reliability and efficacy for reconstruction of soft-tissue defects of heel and proximal foot in children. Material and Methods: A total of 30 patients aged 5-13 years with ankle and foot defects admitted to the Plastic Surgery and Burn department at the Sheikh Zayed Hospital, Rahim Yar Khan from January 2018 to July 2020 were studied by designing a retrospective cross-sectional case series study. Results: Out of 30 flaps, 26 (86.7%) healed fully, whereas 4 (13.3%) complicated by partial necrosis requiring a secondary procedure. Nineteen (63.3%) patients had wheel spoke injuries, eight (26.6%) sustained degloving injury after a road traffic accident, and three (0.1%) patients were having a history of electric burn. In 22 patients an interpolated flap was used and in 8 cases an islanded flap. Donor sites were skin grafted in all patients. Two patients developed hypertrophic scarring at donor area. All patients showed good functional results, however flap remained insensate throughout the follow-up period that was minimum for 6 months. Conclusion: The reverse sural artery flap is versatile, reliable and a method of choice in reconstructing soft-tissue defects of the hind foot in children. This flap is easy to dissect, has robust blood supply and does not sacrifice any major blood vessel of the leg. Key Words: Reverse Sural Artery Flap, children, Ankle and Foot, Soft-tissue Defects, Wheel Spook Injury

Pedicled sural flaps versus free anterolateral thigh flaps in reconstruction of dorsal foot and ankle defects in children: a systematic review

Background This systematic review compared free anterolateral thigh (ALT) flaps versus pedicled distally based sural artery (DBSA) flaps for reconstruction of soft tissue defects of dorsal foot and ankle in children.Methods A systematic literature search was performed to identify cases where an ALT or DBSA was used to reconstruct the dorsal foot in children. A total of 19 articles were included in the systematic review.Results Eighty-three patients underwent an ALT reconstruction and 138 patients underwent a DBSA reconstruction. Patients who had a DBSA were more likely to require grafting of the donor site (P<0.001). The size of ALT flaps was significantly larger than DBSA flaps (P=0.002). Subsequent flap thinning was required in 30% of patients after ALT and 12% of patients after DBSA reconstruction (P<0.001). Complications occurred in 11.6% of DBSA and 8.4% of ALT flaps (8.4%).Conclusions Both flaps are valid options in reconstructing pediatric foot and ankle defects. Each flap has advantages and disadvantages as discussed in this review article. In general for larger defects, an ALT flap was used. Flap choice should be based on the size of the defect.