The Reverse Sural Artery Flap: A Reliable and Versatile Flap for Wound Coverage of the Distal Lower Extremity and Hindfoot

Simplified soft tissue coverage of the distal lower extremity: The reverse sural flap

Soft tissue defects involving the distal lower extremity present challenging problems for orthopaedic surgeons to manage. Historically, wounds not amenable to primary closure have necessitated assistance from multidisciplinary teams using plastic surgeons to obtain adequate soft tissue coverage through rotational flap or free tissue transfer procedures. Techniques related to soft tissue rearrangement and local rotational flap coverage have advanced over the years with a growing knowledge of local anatomy and vasculature. The reverse sural flap may be performed to cover soft tissue defects within 10 cm of the foot or ankle region, negating the need for microvascular intervention. The simplistic nature of the reverse sural flap is appealing to orthopaedic surgeons as a means to provide timely patient care without additional support because it does not require microvasculature work or the need for intraoperative microscopes and has been popularized among orthopaedic trauma surgeons as a necessary tool to possess. Here, we discuss the reverse sural flap to include history, relevant anatomy, clinical indications, and a description of the technique for application.

Empirical Evidence on the Reliability of Lateral Supramalleolar Flap over Reverse Sural Flap for Local Soft Tissue Coverage of Dorsum of the Foot and Ankle Defects

Background Soft tissue coverage of the distal foot and ankle region has been an area of debate due to the paucity of local flap options. To provide empirical evidence on the reliability of an underreported local alternative for foot and ankle defects, we aim to compare the lateral supramalleolar flap (LSMF) to the reverse sural flap (RSF).

Methods During 2016–2019, 48 patients were divided randomly into two equal groups, LSMF and RSF groups respectively. The patients' demographic, surgical, and clinical outcome details were recorded and analyzed.

Results Flap necrosis was found in five patients in the group treated with RSF and none in the LSMF group. The mean total number of stages in RSF group was significantly higher than in LSMF group (p < 0.05). The mean operative time for patients in LSMF group was 85.8 ± 18.5 and 54.2 ± 11.2 in RSF group (p < 0.05). Five patients in the RSF group needed additional procedures following flap complications. Nine patients in the LSMF group reported satisfaction outcomes to be “excellent,” five patients reported “good” whereas, in the RSF group, 14 patients reported “excellent,” 5 reported “good,” 3 reported “fair,” and 2 reported “poor” outcomes. Compared to the RSF (46.4 ± 4.3) group, the LSMF group had significantly better foot function indices (34.03 ± 3.9).

Conclusion The lateral supramalleolar flap for foot and ankle defects offers better results, reduced complications as well a lesser number of stages and secondary procedures over the traditionally used reverse sural flap.

Posttraumatic Soft Tissue Coverage of the Lower Leg for the Orthopedic Surgeon

Soft tissue reconstructive techniques are powerful tools for the orthopedic surgeon caring for lower extremity trauma. This article seeks to inform orthopedic surgeons about useful techniques for skin closure, secondary wound closure techniques, and rotational flaps of the lower leg. Split thickness skin grafting, piecrusting, and the use of negative pressure wound therapy for skin closure, as well as rotational gastrocnemius, soleus, and reverse sural artery flaps are discussed with emphasis on techniques for the nonvascular and nonmicrovascular orthopedic surgeon.