Comparative study between early and delayed perforator flaps for reconstruction of soft tissue defects over distal third tibia (original) (raw)

Perforator based flap coverage from the anterior and lateral compartment of the leg for medium sized traumatic pretibial soft tissue defects – a simple solution for a complex problem

Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery, 2006

Compound fractures involving the leg, exposing the tibia or other poorly vascularised tissues such as tendons still pose a big problem for a reconstructive surgeon and they need early plastic surgical intervention. A prospective study of 10 cases of moderate sized defects in the leg exposing the tibia due to trauma was undertaken between January 2003 and August 2004 with an average follow up of 12 months. Pre-operative identification of the perforator around the wound was meticulously performed using hand held Doppler equipment. Most of the wounds were covered within the first 3-5 days of the injury. All the flaps were raised from the anterior or the lateral compartment of the leg to cover the adjacent tibial bone. Five flaps were raised as proximally based and five flaps were raised as distally based flaps. No flap was raised and advanced in a V-Y fashion. Split skin grafting was required in all cases to cover the secondary raw area created following the flap elevation. All flaps survived and served the purpose. In one case we encountered a deep seated infection resulting in sinus formation needing further debridement in the form of sequestrectomy. In conclusion, the authors believe that the perforator based flap cover described here is simple, safe and a versatile procedure for a trauma surgeon to cover the moderate sized traumatic pre-tibial wounds exposing the bone and the tendons.

Anatomical and clinical evaluation of perforator-based flaps of lower limb

International Surgery Journal

Background: Wound of lower leg have a poor and delayed healing due to paucity of blood supply. Coverage of defects of leg and foot has always posed a problem for reconstructive surgeon. The objective of this study was to evaluate anatomical basis of various perforator-based flaps in lower limb and their clinical outcome and usefulness.Methods: All patients with post traumatic defects with exposed bones/tendons in the leg and ankle region presenting in MLN Medical college, Allahabad from August 2011 to July 2012 were included in the study.Results: A total 12 patients were included in study. Majority of cases are of compound fracture following accidents involving lower one third of leg. Majority of flaps were based on peroneal artery (5) and posterior tibial artery (5), only 2 flaps were based on anterior tibial artery. Maximum flap length was 21cm and maximum flap rotation was 180º. Complications occurred more in cases having maximum rotation. Result were good in 11 patients and sati...

Role of Perforator Flaps in Leg and Foot Reconstruction

The Egyptian Journal of Hospital Medicine

Background: Lower extremity wounds have been always a challenge for reconstructive surgeons. Free perforator flaps are considered to be the best option for this problem but require the complexity of microsurgery. So, pedicled perforator flaps have emerged as an alternative option. The aim of the present study is the assessment of efficacy of perforator flaps (either free flaps or pedicled flaps) regarding the coverage of traumatic soft tissue defects on the leg and foot. Patients and methods: A prospective study was conducted upon 40 patients with traumatic soft tissue defects in the leg and foot. The free flaps used were anterolateral thigh flap (ALT) and medial sural artery perforator flap (MSAP). In pedicled perforator flaps group, 10 cases were designed as propeller flaps, while the other 10 flaps were designed as perforator plus flaps. Results: Free flaps were mainly used for large sized defects; one case of partial flap loss and one case of complete flap necrosis. MSAP flap was the first option for coverage of large sized defects on foot and ankle as it's a thin and pliable flap, while ALT flap was used for coverage of larger defects on the leg. Pedicled perforator flaps were used mainly for small to medium-sized defects especially in the lower third of the leg; we had 3 cases of flap loss in propeller flap design while we had no cases of flap loss in perforator plus flap. Conclusion: Perforator flaps have become a reasonable solution for soft tissue defects of the lower extremity. Careful assessment of the dimensions, location, patient comorbidities, availability of surrounding soft tissue and presence of adequate perforators are mandatory for proper perforator flap selection.

Early Flap Coverage in Grade-III Tibial Fractures

2016

Background: The grade-III tibial fractures are one of the commonest fractures which need coverage. The old teaching was to do the fixation and dressing as coverage tool but most of the time it lead to amputation. The flaps of skin that includes the deep fascia is called fasciocutaneous flap. Medial perforator flaps are designed on cutaneous arterial perforators of posterior tibial artery which arise at different levels above medial malleolus. These flaps are used according to the level of exposed bones in the immediate or early phase of management. Aim: To perform the immediate or early coverage of these fractures with any of the flaps and assess the outcome of such coverage by means of wound + bone healing. Methodology: This was a prospective case series study and carried out in Plastic + Orthopaedic Surgery Departments, Jinnah Hospital, Lahore. Forty cases of grade III-B fracture tibia were included. The duration of this study was 9 months and follow up time was 3 months. Results:...

A reliable method for management of lower third soft tissue defects of the leg: posterior tibial artery perforator flap

Hand and Microsurgery, 2015

Management of lower third limb defects is a common challenge for the reconstructive surgeon due to a lack of soft tissue in that anatomic area. Traditionally, lower third of the limb defects were usually reconstructed with free flaps. The evolution of reconstructive surgery enabled thinner and pliable flaps to be harvested for the purpose of minimizing morbidity from muscle inclusion into the flap. With the introduction of perforator flaps, repairing of small and medium size defects of the distal lower third of leg and ankle region is possible with minimal donor site morbidity. Perforator flaps are based on cutaneous, small diameter vessels that arise from a main pedicle that adjacently perforates the fascia to reach the skin. In this article, we present our experience with two cases involving the repair of these defects by using posterior tibial artery perforator flaps.

Use of distally based random flap in the management of soft tissue defects in upper two thirds of leg

JPMA. The Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, 2014

To assess the results of cases with complex wounds exposing tibia who were managed with distally based random flaps. The retrospective study was conducted at Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, and Dow University Hospital, Karachi and comprised data between February 2000 and March 2013of patients who had been admitted with a recent or prior history of trauma with a soft tissue defect in upper two-thirds of tibia and who had undergone coverage procedure using distal based flap. The mean age of the total 21 patients in the study was 29±9 years, and 20(95%)were male. Road traffic accident was the most common mechanism of injury in 13(62%). Tibia was exposed in all the 21(100%) cases requiring soft tissue coverage. There was associated fracture of tibia in 18(86%) patients. Mean flap length was 12±1.7 cm and width was 5.3 ±0.86 cm. Maximum size for the flap dissected was 15x7cm. Donor site was covered with split thickness skin graft in 19(90.5%) patients. Flap survival rate was 100%....

Radiological Evaluation of Postsurgical Course of Perforators in Retrograde Posterior Tibial Fasciocutaneous Flaps for Distal Leg and Foot Defects

Indian Journal of Plastic Surgery

Background Mapping of vascular perforators by various methodologies have been described for planning of a variety of flaps in the lower limbs. We attempted to assess the changes in posterior tibial perforators after transfer of fasciocutaneous flaps for leg defects. Methods 20 patients with distal leg and foot defects were studied by computed tomography angiography (CTA) and preoperative audio Doppler to ascertain perforators of posterior tibial artery. Fasciocutaneous flaps were raised, based on these perforators, depending on the site and size of soft-tissue defects. The number of perforators and their distance from the medial malleolus were also studied. Postoperative CTA was performed on the 7th to 10th day, with emphasis on postoperative changes of the perforators on which the flaps were based. Results One to four posterior tibial perforators were found between 5 cm and 8 cm proximal to the medial malleolus. After flap transfer, the perforators could be traced to variable dista...

A Review of Pedicled Perforator Flaps for Reconstruction of the Soft Tissue Defects of the Leg and Foot

Indian Journal of Plastic Surgery, 2019

Lower extremity soft tissue defects frequently result from high-energy trauma or oncological resection. The lack of suitable muscle flap options for the distal leg and foot makes defects in these locations especially challenging to reconstruct and free tissue transfer is commonly used. Another option that has become more popular in the past two decades are pedicled perforator flaps. Based on a thorough literature review and the authors' experience on leg perforator flaps for over a decade, this article presents a historical review, the anatomical basis of common perforator flaps of the leg and foot, patient selection, wound selection, perforator selection, flap design, surgical techniques, refinements, and postoperative care. A review of the clinical outcomes and complications of these flaps was also performed and was noted to be comparable to the outcomes of free tissue transfer with significantly lower total flap failure rate. It is hoped that this review will assist surgeons in the formulation of a comprehensive step-by-step guide in performing pedicled perforator flap reconstruction of the lower extremity.

Surgical defect reconstructions in knee, lower leg, and foot with flaps: a retrospective analysis

European Journal of Plastic Surgery

Background The first description of local fascio-cutaneous flaps used for the coverage of soft tissue defects of the limbs originates from the 1980s. Over the years, this technique has advanced, and in the meantime, a sub-group of flaps named perforator-based propeller flaps has gained increased attention. In our study, we aimed to demonstrate our experience of operating surgeries with perforator-based propeller flaps and to compare this technique with other flap techniques, which are to reconstruct tissue defects of the knee, lower leg, and foot. Methods A systematic retrospective search for flap procedures for defect reconstructions in the knee, lower leg, and foot from our database was performed. All data between January 2010 and August 2018 were considered. We identified 56 procedures performed on 14 female and 42 male patients with the mean age of 54.13 years. Reconstruction procedures consisted of 34 free flaps, 14 perforator-based propeller flaps, and eight other perforator-b...