Increasing versatility of the distally based sural flap

Hemodynamics in Distally Based Sural Flaps for Lower Leg Reconstruction: A Literature Review

Coverage of posttraumatic and chronic wounds at the distal leg is a difficult problem due to limited soft tissue available for local flaps. The sural flap is a versatile and effective method for reconstruction in this area since it does not need a significant amount of time or assistance to complete. Improving the survival of these flaps is critically dependent on understanding the basics of flap circulation and why recent modifications were introduced. This review will serve as a much-needed comprehensive analysis of these topics for surgeons looking to increase the reliability of their sural flaps.

How Safe Is Reverse Sural Flap?: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Soft tissue reconstruction of the lower third of the leg, the ankle, and the foot is challenging for reconstructive surgeons. The options for reconstruction are limited. Reverse sural flap is relatively easy to perform and considered a good option for reconstruction. The complication rates are variable in studies. This study aims to systemically review all available articles based on reverse sural flap focusing on complications of the flap. The overall complication of the flap helps to better understand the reliability of the flap.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was performed using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Google Scholar to identify cases of reverse sural artery flap.

RESULTS

A pooled analysis of 89 articles was performed, which yielded 2575 patients (2592 flaps) over a period of 19 years. Most of the cases were performed in Asian countries (1540 flaps, 59.4%) with the majority being performed in China (746 flaps, 28.8%). The most common cause for reverse sural flap surgery was trauma/postsurgical (1785/2592) followed by burn/scarring. Flap complications were recorded in 653 of 2592 flaps (25.20%). The most common complication was partial flap loss, which was recorded in 204 flaps (7.85%) followed by venous congestion (79 flaps, 3.05%). Complete flap loss was observed only in 66 participants (2.5% of all the flaps performed).

CONCLUSIONS

Reverse sural flap is reliable flap for the reconstruction of lower leg, ankle, and foot. It can give a comparable outcome as free flap when meticulously performed and, in many cases, a better result.

Reconstruction of Heel Soft Tissue Defects: An Algorithm Based on Our Experience

BACKGROUND

Sensory recovery and durability of the flap is the primary goal of heel soft tissue reconstruction. From the different options, the choice of the flap depends on the size of the defect, its location, and the availability of the donor area.

METHODS

In this retrospective study, 40 patients having heel defects were included from Jan 2016 to Dec 2018 in which different flaps were used for the reconstruction. The outcome was evaluated in terms of flap survival, recovery of sensation, the durability of coverage, and functional denouement. We also analysed the outcome between neuropathic and non-neuropathic ulcers of the heel.

RESULTS

Out of 40 patients’ medial plantar artery islanded flap was performed in eight cases, extended reverse sural flap in 16 cases, islanded reverse sural flap in six cases, local flaps in six cases, cross-leg flap in two cases, and free Latissimus Dorsi muscle flaps with Skin Graft cover in two cases. The patients were observed for a mean follow-up time of 15 months (12-20 months). Only two flaps showed marginal necrosis as an immediate complication. The majority of the flaps were tenacious in the follow-up period except for the six flaps that developed delayed ulceration. Return of protective sensation (P=0.006) and mean American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society subjective score (P=0.025) was significantly higher in the non-neuropathic ulcer group.

CONCLUSION

Locoregional flaps can cover most of the heel defects with a satisfactory outcome. The functional outcome was lower in the reconstructed neuropathic heel ulcer group.

Reconstruction of the weight-bearing heel with nonsensate reverse sural artery flaps

BACKGROUND

The reverse sural artery flap (RSAF) is widely used to reconstruct foot and ankle defects. Although it is commonly used in a nonsensate type, there has been controversy as to whether it provides sufficient stability and durability when applied to weight-bearing heels. The aim of this study was to evaluate patient outcomes after weight-bearing heel coverage using a nonsensate RSAF.

METHODS

Twenty-three patients who underwent reconstruction surgery of the weight-bearing heel with RSAF from 2004 to 2018 in a tertiary hospital were retrospectively reviewed. All surgeries were performed without a sensate procedure. The patients' experience of pressure sore on the flap area and the ability to use normal footwear were investigated. Light touch, Semmes-Weinstein test (SWT), and two-point discrimination tests were assessed, along with postoperative wound complications.

RESULTS

Heel damage etiologies included malignant tumors in 14 (61%), trauma-related in 7 (30%) and diabetic ulcers in 2 (9%) patients. Patient mean age was 58 years (range, 18-93 years) and the mean follow-up period was 57 months (range, 12-185 months). The mean size of the flap was 64.1 cm2 (range, 20-169 cm²). All flaps healed without major complications. All returned to daily living activities and 20 (86%) patients were able to use normal footwear. Of the 11 patients who had available measurement records, 8 (73%) showed a light touch sense. The mean SWT value was 4.31 (range, 3.61- 4.56). Two-point discrimination was not observed in any of the patients. Two patients had experienced superficial ulcers on the flap within a one-year postoperative period, which spontaneously healed and did not recur. No full-thickness ulcers were observed during the follow-up period.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study suggest that patients who underwent nonsensate RSAF for the reconstruction of the heel could expect to maintain the property for stable weight-bearing without pressure sore.

Reduction of Morbidity With a Reverse-Flow Sural Flap: A Two-Stage Technique

The reverse sural flap has often been used for cutaneous coverage of the distal region of the leg and ankle. When the flap is performed in 2 stages, the vascular pedicle is exteriorized and later resected. Our goal was to assess the reverse sural flap performed in 2 stages regarding its viability and low morbidity along the flap-donor area. Eleven patients with cutaneous coverage loss found in the area between the distal third of the leg and ankle underwent cutaneous coverage surgery with a reverse-flow sural flap with an exteriorized pedicle, without violation of the skin between the base of the flap pedicle to the margin of the wound. After a minimum period of 15 days with flap autonomy, the pedicle was resected. The flap dimensions, its viability before and after the pedicle ligature, and the distance from the intact skin between the flap base and the margin of the wound were evaluated. Any losses were measured as a percentage of the total flap size. The respective length and width of the flap were a mean average of 7.45 cm × 4.18 cm. All the flaps survived. Partial loss of the flap occurred in 3 patients, ranging from 20% to 30%. The mean average distance of the intact skin between the pedicle base and the margin of the wound was 5.59 (range 4 to 8) cm. Our results showed that the 2-stage reverse sural flap ensures good flap survival and low morbidity.

Retrospective study of freestyle perforator-based peninsular flaps: A simple, fast, and safe technique for pressure sore reconstruction

This study aimed to present a simple, fast, and safe technique, called freestyle perforator-based peninsular flap (FPBPF), for pressure sore reconstruction.Among the 21 patients who underwent pressure sore reconstruction between May 2013 and October 2016, 12 patients (Group A) and 9 patients (Group B) were subjected to perforator-based island flap (PBIF) and FPBPF, respectively. We retrospectively reviewed and statistically analyzed the data of both groups.All flaps completely survived in both groups. No significant differences were found in patient demographics, complications, hospital stay, and follow-up period. The mean arc of rotation (102.50 ± 17.645° vs 83.33 ± 14.142°; P = .01), mean flap harvest time (35.83 ± 2.552 minutes vs 20.88 ± 1.763 minutes; P < .001), and mean operative time (145.41 ± 6.788 minutes vs 131.66 ± 10.770 minutes; P = .002) were significantly decreased in Group B compared with Group A.The FPBPF is a simpler and faster technique than the PBIF. FPBPF is a good modality with a few complications for sore reconstruction.

Experience with the Distally Based Sural Neurocutaneous Flap for Ankle and Heel Wounds

Background/Purpose

Soft tissue loss over the ankle and heel is a challenging issue for reconstructive surgeons. The aim of this study is to present the technique of using sural neurocutaneous flap and analyse the results.

Methods

From 2002 to 2014, 15 cases of sural flap were performed in the Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology of United Christian Hospital, Hong Kong. All cases were handled by two hand surgeons. The outcomes and complications were reviewed retrospectively.

Results

The aetiology included trauma (6 cases), neoplasm (4 cases), Achilles tendon repair wound complication (3 cases) and ulcer (2 cases). The age of patients ranged from 21 years to 82 years (average, 61.9 years). The size ranged from 12 cm2 to 99 cm2. The mean follow-up period was 20 months. Eleven flaps healed successfully without significant complications.

Conclusion

Sural neurocutaneous flap is a reliable flap design with constant vascular anatomy. There is minimal donor site morbidity, and no major vessels are sacrificed. It provides a durable, pain-free, functionally and aesthetically satisfying coverage for ankle and heel wounds.

A Modified Technique to Improve Reliability of Distally Based Sural Fasciocutaneous Flap for Reconstruction of Soft Tissue Defects Longitudinal in Distal Pretibial Region or Transverse in Heel and Ankle

Partial flap loss is a common complication of the distally based sural fasciocutaneous flap. We present a modified technique of a sloped skin island design to improve the reliability of the flap when used to reconstruct a longitudinal distal pretibial defect or transverse heel and ankle defect. Thirty-one flaps with the slope-designed skin island were used to reconstruct such defects in 30 patients. In the modified technique, the skin island was rotated toward the vascular axis of the flap. The defects were located in the distal pretibial region in 7 cases and the ankle and heel region in 24. The horizontal dimension of the skin island decreased by an average of 5.6 (range 2.5 to 14.8) cm with the sloped design, and the rotation angle varied from 42° to 90° (mean 69°). Of the 31 flaps, 29 survived, 1 developed marginal necrosis, and 1 developed lateral partial necrosis. The sloped design of the skin island is applicable to reconstruction of longitudinal distal pretibial or transverse heel and ankle defects. The modified technique can decrease the horizontal dimension and increase perfusion of the skin island, thus improving the reliability of the flap.

Reverse Sural Artery Island Flap With Skin Extension Along the Pedicle

The distally based sural flap is an efficient flap for reconstruction of soft tissues defects of lower limb. The unstable vascular pedicle, however, is prone to compression by the subcutaneous tunnel, especially when a long pedicle covers the distal area of the foot. The aim of the present study was to introduce a modified surgical technique that leaves the skin extension over the pedicle and to report the clinical results of this modification. A total of 25 consecutive patients with a mean age of 51.7 ± 14.7 years underwent surgery. We modified the conventional sural flap technique by leaving a skin extension over the entire length of the pedicle, creating a fasciocutaneous vascular pedicle. The postoperative flap survival rates, complications, and the characteristics of the flaps such as flap size, pedicle length, and the most distal area that could be covered with this modification, were reviewed. At the last clinical follow-up examination, all the flaps survived, although partial necrosis was observed in 2 (8%) cases. Four cases of venous congestion developed but healed without additional complications. The mean flap size was 5.9 ± 1.8 × 9.2 ± 2.7 cm. With this modification, the sural flap could cover the defect located in extreme distal areas, such as the medial forefoot and dorsum of the first metatarsophalangeal joint, with a longer pedicle (≤27 cm) in 7 patients (28%). A skin extension along the pedicle achieved the favorable survival rate of the sural flap and successfully extended the surgical indications to more distal areas.

Clinical and anatomical study of the distally based lesser saphenous veno-lateral sural neurocutaneous flap for lower extremity coverage

BACKGROUND

The distally based sural flap has been widely and successfully used to reconstruct soft tissue defects of the distal third of the lower leg and foot. Sensory loss and venous congestion are possible complications of this treatment, but there has been limited research focused on improving the sensory loss and veneous congestion. This study aimed to determine the spatial relationship between the lesser saphenous vein and the cutaneous nerves, the venous anatomy in the lower leg, and the nerve distribution in the lateral dorsum of the foot, and we presented our clinical experience.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty freshly amputated lower limbs were dissected in the 2 h following amputation. The lesser saphenous vein, medial/lateral sural nerve, and sural nerve were identified. Based on the anatomical studies, an island flap supplied by the vascular axis of the lesser saphenous vein and the lateral sural nerve was designed for clinical reparative applications in 24 cases.

RESULTS

We indicated the spatial relationship between the lesser saphenous vein and the cutaneous nerves and the venous anatomy in the lower leg. Among 24 flaps, 21 showed complete survival (87.5%), while marginal flap necrosis occurred in two patients (8.33%) and distal wound dehiscence in another (4.17%). No symptomatic neuromas were observed. Their appearance and functioning were satisfactory, with filling maintained in the heel and lateral side of the foot.

CONCLUSION

The distally based lesser saphenous veno-lateral sural neurocutaneous flap provides effective coverage of variable-sized soft tissue defects on the lower third of the lower leg and foot, without sensory loss and venous congestion.