The distally based island superficial sural artery flap: Clinical experience with 36 flaps

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2001

Authors

Costa-Ferreira A (Author) FMUP; Reis, J (Author) Other; Pinho, C (Author) Other; Martins, A (Author) Other; Amarante J (Author) FMUP

Journal

Title: Annals of Plastic Surgery

Vol. 46 No. 3

Pages: 308-313

ISSN: 0148-7043

Publisher: Wolters Kluwer Health

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 51 Citations

Scopus - 64 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-000-W5Z

DOI: 10.1097/00000637-200103000-00018

Abstract (EN): The principles of neurocutaneous flaps, first described by Masquelet in 1992, represented a new concept in skin vascularization, The distally based superficial sural artery flap is an example of this kind of flap, which is supplied by the vascular axis that accompanies the sural nerve. The authors treated 36 patients with 36 distally based superficial sural artery flaps. All flaps survived, but six of them exhibited partial necrosis, No patient experienced anesthesia of the lateral side of the foot or neuroma at the donor site 12 months after surgery. The authors confirmed that this flap is very useful for soft-tissue reconstruction of the distal third of the leg and foot. Additionally they conclude that the principal advantages are that the blood supply is reliable, execution is easy and fast, the operation can be performed under regional anesthesia, the flap has a large are of rotation, direct closure of the donor area is possible for small flaps, major arteries or nerves are not sacrificed, and excellent durability is achieved, even on weight-bearing areas. The major drawback is the donor site scar.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 6