The distally based lateral adipofascial flap

Open-book Splitting of a Distally Based Peroneus Brevis Muscle Flap to Cover Large Leg and Ankle Defects

Background:

Large soft-tissue defects in the lower leg and ankle are a major problem for plastic surgeons. Many local flaps that are either proximally or distally based have been previously described to cover small defects. Larger defects may require a distant flap that is either pedicled or free. The peroneus brevis muscle flap is a well-known distally based safe flap that is used to cover a small defect.

Methods:

Ten distally based peroneus brevis muscle flaps were elevated in 10 patients (8 males and 2 females) with major lower third leg and ankle defects that were 6–12 cm in length and 6–10 cm in width, with open-book splitting of the proximal portion of the muscle to cover these large defects.

Results:

Flap survival was excellent, and partial skin graft loss in two cases healed with dressing. The average flap length was 10 cm, ranging between 6 and 12 cm. The average flap width was 8 cm, ranging between 6 and 10 cm. The donor site also healed uneventful.

Conclusions:

Open-book splitting of the distally based peroneus brevis muscle flap is ideally suited for moderate to large defects in the distal third of the lower leg and ankle. This modification of the distally based peroneus brevis muscle flap offers a convincing alternative for covering large defects of up to 12 × 10 cm in the distal leg and ankle region.

Anterolateral adipofascial turnover flap of the leg: Anatomical study

AIM

The aim of this study is to clearly define the vascularisation of the lateral paratibial septum of the leg, defining the basis for a vertical pedicled adipofascial flap harvested from the anterolateral aspect of the leg to cover pretibial soft tissue defects.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twelve cadaver legs (eight fixed with formalin and four fresh) were dissected. The vessels running into the lateral paratibial septum were identified. The number of vessels were noted and evaluated at the lateral border of the proximal, middle and distal thirds of the leg. In addition, an angiographic study was performed on two limbs to confirm the connection between tibialis anterior artery and the overlaying fascia through these septal vessels.

RESULTS

All the specimens had periosteo-septal vessels running in the lateral aspect of the tibia. The average number was 6.6. The distribution was constant in all the thirds of the leg.

CONCLUSION

These data are useful to propose the harvesting technique for adipofascial flap with vertical pedicle as a suitable reconstructive option to cover pretibial soft tissue defects.

Use of a definitive cement spacer for simultaneous bony and soft tissue reconstruction of mid- and hindfoot diabetic neuroarthropathy:a case report

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus has been increasing, and ≤25.8 million people, or 8.3% of the US population, have diabetes. Diabetic Charcot arthropathy and foot ulcers are serious complications of diabetes mellitus. They have been associated with greater risks of lower extremity amputation and mortality. Studies have shown that the amputation risk relative to patients with Charcot arthropathy alone is 7 times greater for patients with a foot ulcer, and 12 times greater for patients with Charcot arthropathy and a foot ulcer. Surgical reconstruction of Charcot arthropathy of the foot is often difficult, because of bone loss, deformities, vasculopathy, and the presence of active infection with or without soft tissue loss. It will be even more challenging if >1 region of the foot has been affected, such as the mid- and hindfoot. In such situations, an amputation would usually be the surgical option. We present a case of limb-threatening Charcot deformity with instability complicated by osteomyelitis, bone loss, and a large soft tissue defect. We used a limb salvage strategy with hindfoot fusion combined with an antibiotic-impregnated cement spacer for reconstruction of the midfoot, which was performed simultaneously with a local adipofascial flap for soft tissue coverage, resulting in a plantigrade, painless, and functional foot.

Descending branch of the perforating branch of the peroneal artery perforator-based island flap for reconstruction of the lateral malleolus with minimal invasion

BACKGROUND

Reconstruction of intractable ulcers on the lateral malleolus is challenging because affected patients suffer various complications. A lateral supramalleolar flap, nourished by the superficial cutaneous branch of the perforating branch of the peroneal artery, has been described as one of the most reliable methods for reconstructing this difficult region. Although the deep descending branch of the perforating branch of the peroneal artery has a tiny cutaneous perforator, a flap based on this perforator has not been described.

METHODS

The vascular anatomy of an island flap based on the descending branch perforator of the perforating branch of the peroneal artery was investigated using 20 cadaver legs. Distances from the lateral malleolus and the external diameters were investigated. Based on the anatomical study results, a perforator-based island flap was developed for clinical use and implemented in five cases.

RESULTS

The anatomical study revealed the descending branch perforator diameter to be smaller than the superficial cutaneous branch diameter, and the location to be considerably closer to the lateral malleolus. All five island flaps used clinically survived without complications.

CONCLUSIONS

A new perforator-based island flap of the descending branch of the perforating branch of the peroneal artery for reconstruction of the lateral malleolus was designed. The territory covered by the flap could be enlarged by including the adjacent angiosome area of the superficial cutaneous branch. This flap elevation technique was uncomplicated and sufficiently straightforward to be used for patients at high risk for complications with extended surgical procedures.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic, V.

Fibula osteo-adipofascial flap for mandibular and maxillary reconstruction

BACKGROUND

The fibula free flap is a reliable method for reconstructing composite head and neck defects. However, its skin paddle has drawbacks, including its thickness, hair-bearing surface, desquamation, difficulty insetting it into maxillary defects, and the potential need for skin-grafting the donor site. The fibula osteo-adipofascial flap (FOAFF) is a modification of the fibula flap that overcomes these problems.

METHODS

A retrospective study of 6 consecutive patients who underwent FOAFF reconstruction was evaluated for outcomes and complications.

RESULTS

The mean follow-up was 22.6 months. All flaps survived, with complete oral mucosalization by 7 weeks. Four patients had dental implants placed at the time of reconstruction. Two patients received radiation therapy. Aside from loss of the labial sulcus in anterior maxillary reconstructions, complications were negligible.

CONCLUSION

The FOAFF is useful for reconstructing defects requiring bone, soft tissue, and mucosal replacement without the disadvantages of the traditional fibula skin paddle.

Soft tissue management of children's open tibial fractures--a review of seventy children over twenty years

INTRODUCTION

The management of open tibial fractures in children represents a unique reconstructive challenge. The aim of the study was to evaluate the management of paediatric open tibial fractures with particular regard to soft tissue management.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective case-note analysis was performed for all children presenting with an open tibial fracture at a single institution over a 20-year period for 1985 to 2005.

RESULTS

Seventy children were reviewed of whom 41 were males and 29 females. Overall, 91% (n = 64) of children suffered their injury as a result of a vehicle-related injury. The severity of the fracture with respect to the Gustilo classification was: Grade I, 42% (n = 29); Grade II, 24% (n = 17); Grade III, 34% (n = 24; 7 Grade 3a, 16 Grade 3b, 1 Grade 3c). The majority of children were treated with external fixation and conservative measures, with a mean hospital in-patient stay of 13.3 days. Soft tissue cover was provided by plastic surgeons in 31% of all cases. Four cases of superficial wound infection occurred (6%), one case of osteomyelitis and one case of flap failure. The limb salvage was greater than 98%.

CONCLUSIONS

In this series, complications were associated with delayed involvement of plastic surgeons. Retrospective analysis has shown a decreased incidence of open tibial fractures which is reported in similar studies. Gustilo grade was found to correlate with length of hospital admission and plastic surgery intervention. We advocate, when feasible, the use of local fasciocutaneous flaps (such as distally based fasciocutaneous and adipofascial flaps), which showed a low complication rate in children.

Three-dimensional analysis of perforators of the posterior leg

BACKGROUND

Three-dimensional evaluations of cutaneous perforator vessels provide useful clinical information to aid in the design of perforator flaps. By combining three-dimensional digital imaging and angiography, the authors developed a new three-dimensional visualization technique for vascular perforators. Their purpose was to produce a digitized model of the posterior leg to determine the anatomical relationships of perforators in each zone of the posterior leg.

METHODS

Eight cadavers were injected with a modified lead oxide-gelatin mixture. Two cadavers were selected for three-dimensional reconstruction using a spiral computed tomography scanner and specialized volume-rendering software. Dissection, angiography, and photography of each layer were performed to outline the course of every perforator in the posterior leg. The area of the vascular territory supplied by each source vessel was calculated. Surface areas were measured using Scion Image software.

RESULTS

The arterial supply to the integument of the posterior leg was divided into proximal, middle, and distal zones. There were 13 +/- 2.3 perforators with diameters of greater than or equal to 0.5 mm; the average external diameter was 0.8 +/- 0.2 mm. Each perforator supplied an average area of 38 +/- 9.0 cm. Perforators from the popliteal artery were large and consistent and supplied an average area of 55 +/- 20 cm; there were multiple anastomoses between perforators from the popliteal, posterior tibial, and peroneal arteries. The distal zone received its arterial supply from two to three smaller septocutaneous perforators, which are arranged longitudinally in one to two parallel chains.

CONCLUSIONS

The posterior leg is an excellent donor site for local and distant flaps. Perforator flaps could be based in a variety of ways from each zone.

Distally based adipofascial flaps for dorsal foot and ankle soft tissue defects

Soft tissue defects of the dorsal foot and ankle are difficult to reconstruct because the contour of the foot must be maintained for shoe fitting. The adipofascial flap, covered with a skin graft, is a suitable method of reconstruction that fulfills this important requirement. Twelve patients with soft tissue defects of the dorsal foot and at the ankle were treated in our unit with this method. Ten (83%) were children, 2 (17%) were adults. All defects were due to road traffic accidents. Three (25%) patients were women; 9 (75%) were men. The right foot was affected in 10 (83.4%) patients, with 2 (16.6%) patients having the left foot involved. The flaps used were the peroneal artery perforator flap (distally based lateral adipofascial flap) in 9 (75%) patients, the superficial sural artery flap in 2 patients (17%), and the posterior tibial artery perforator flap (distally based medial adipofascial flap) in 1 patient (8%). All flaps were successful, providing adequate contour of the foot for wearing ordinary shoes. There were 2 partial skin graft necroses, and, in 1 patient, the tips of the donor site skin flaps were necrosed. In conclusion, the distally based adipofascial flap, covered with skin graft, is a suitable method for reconstruction of soft tissue loss of the dorsal foot and ankle and provides optimum functional and aesthetic outcome with minimum donor site morbidity.

The split peroneus muscle flap: a new flap for lower leg defects

The peroneus brevis tendon mechanism is more effective than the peroneus longus mechanism in rotating the navicular externally and the calcaneus into valgus. A longitudinal vertical split of the peroneus brevis muscle is a new technique that allows coverage of the fibular and pretibial region defects without impairing the muscle function. The essential features of the flap are: transposition of the muscle without disinsertion, splitting the muscle longitudinally along a distinct anatomical plane, and preservation of the anatomical continuity of the muscle. The flap has been tested on seven male patients who had sustained open fractures of the ankle region with metal implant exposure of the fibula. The size of the flap ranged from 13x6cm to 15x7cm (mean 13.8x6.5cm). The soft tissue defects were located between the pretibial region and the lateral malleolus. Their ages ranged from 22 to 39 years (mean 28.7 years). Follow up was from 3 to 24 months (mean 14.5 months). The technique of split peroneus muscle flap was applied successfully in all patients. There was no necrosis of the muscle flap and stable wound healing was achieved. The cosmetic result was good and the function of the muscle was preserved. The advantages offered by this new flap include: technical simplicity, reliability, and the allowance of future use of other local skin and muscle flaps. With the help of this new technique it is possible to cover defects of up to 20x7cm and to preserve the muscle function.

A Novel Flap to Repair Medial and Lateral Malleolar Defects

Soft tissue coverage of the ankle is a difficult challenge. The adipofascial flap based on perforators of the anterior tibial artery was harvested from the dorsum of the foot and used for repairing of soft tissue defects either on the lateral or medial malleolar region in 7 patients. Two medial and 5 lateral malleolar defects were covered using the flap described. The size of flaps varied from 3.5 x 10 cm to 4.5 x 12 cm. All flaps had good perfusion and survived completely. Donor-site morbidity was minimal in all cases. Both functional and esthetical results were satisfactory. Because of thin and pliable features, this flap is suitable for repair of defects around the ankle region. In addition, donor-site morbidity of this flap is minimal, with an acceptable scar hidden in the shoe-wearing area.

Distally Based Lateral and Medial Leg Adipofascial Flaps: Need for Caution with Old, Diabetic Patients

BACKGROUND

Reconstruction of defects around the ankle region has always been challenging for plastic surgeons. Distally based lateral and medial leg adipofascial flaps are among the flaps of choice for coverage of this difficult region. Presented here is the authors' clinical experience with these flaps, particularly emphasizing the complicated attempts in diabetic patients.

METHODS

Seven skin defects around the ankle were reconstructed with lateral and medial leg adipofascial flaps. The lowermost perforators of the peroneal or posterior tibial artery were identified preoperatively, and a straight incision through skin only was made proximal to this perforator. With the skin flaps reflected, the adipofascial flap was than raised in the subfascial plane. The perforators to be retained in the base were located and the flap was then turned over to cover the defect, followed by application of a split-thickness skin graft over the flap. The donor site was closed primarily.

RESULTS

The ages of the patients ranged from 25 to 80 years, and the size of the flaps ranged from 3 x 5 cm to 7 x 10 cm. Four defects were reconstructed with lateral leg adipofascial flaps, and medial leg adipofascial flaps were used in three. Two flaps healed uneventfully. Partial or total graft loss and partial flap necrosis were observed in five patients, four of whom were diabetic.

CONCLUSIONS

Leg adipofascial flaps offer a valuable option for repair of defects around the ankle in many cases. However, adipofascial flaps should be used with caution in old, diabetic patients and, when performed, the probability of a second or third procedure should be considered.

Septocutaneous perforators of the peroneal artery relative to the fibula: anatomical basis of the use of pedicled fasciocutaneous flap

There are many studies describing the perforating branches of the peroneal artery but none of them identifies their locations relative to fibula. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the locations of the perforators relative to the fibula and to present a case, treated with an adipofascial flap, based on one of these small arteries. In this study, nine fresh male cadavers' legs injected with colored latex were dissected for demonstration of the longitudinal axis of these perforators. A large incision was made on the lateral part of the leg from the head of the fibula to the ankle. The peroneal perforating vessels were displayed. The posterior margin of the fibula was marked with needles from proximal to distal just above every perforator. The distance between the needle and the perforator was recorded. Their diameters were measured at the level of fascial emergence. There were four to seven perforating vessels; the larger vessels were near the proximal end of the fibula with an average of 1.1 mm and a minimum of 0.8 mm. We found that these branches were not parallel to fibula, but aligned in an oblique projection from posterior to anterior and from distal to proximal because of the course of the intermuscular septum between the soleus and peroneus longus muscles. The lowermost vessel was 1.7 cm away from the posterior margin of the fibula while the uppermost vessel was 0.25 cm away from the posterior ridge of the fibula. Adipofascial or fasciocutaneous flaps, which have important advantages in covering small to medium sized defects, can be based on the perforators of the peroneal artery. But for the centralization of the flap pedicle, the locations of the perforators, which are aligned from the lateral malleolus to the fibular head in oblique direction and from the posterior to the anterior must be taken into consideration. This knowledge is crucial for the flap design and the centralization of the vessels.

Medial and Lateral Malleolar Perforator Flaps for Repair of Defects Around the Ankle

Reconstruction for defects around the ankle continues to be challenging. Repairs have been effected with the dorsalis pedis flap, the medial plantar flap, and with reverse-flow island flaps using the anterior and posterior tibial systems and the peroneal system. However, sacrifice of the major vessels of the lower leg and wide and long scars at the donor site are disadvantages of these flaps. To overcome these disadvantages, the authors developed island lateral and medial malleolar flaps with the perforators located close to the ankle. These flaps are easy to elevate, involve a short operating time, require no sacrifice of major vessels or muscles of the lower legs, and the use of these adipofascial flaps makes donor scars more acceptable. Malleolar perforator flaps are suitable for the repair of small ankle defects.

Distally-based neurofasciocutaneous flaps in electrical burns

Distally-based neurocutaneous flaps have been used successfully for reconstruction of the lower extremity for some decades. The reconstruction of deep wounds exposing tendons, bones and/or vessels in electrical burns requires flap coverage. It is known that there is often some sub-clinical vascular damage in electrical burn injury. Therefore, an important part of the procedure is modification to improve flap viability during the reconstruction of electrical burn wounds. In this paper, we report our experience with the use of distally-based sural and saphenous neurocutaneous flaps for coverage of defects in the lower leg and foot in 14 electrical burn patients. In 12 patients, the flaps survived completely, in two patients the flaps underwent partial necrosis. In these cases, the width of the pedicle of the neurocutaneous flap was increased from 3.5 to 5cm and the neurovenous pedicle was decreased to give a delay effect several days before the flap harvesting. We believe that these modifications positively effect the viability of the flap and should be used to improve neurocutaneous flap circulation in high risk patients.

The lateral distally based adipofascial flap of the lower limb

Several authors have reported the advantages of adipofascial flaps. We describe a series of flaps based exclusively on the perforator of the peroneal artery. This is an axially patterned distally based adipofascial flap useful for small and medium-sized defects over the distal fibula, lateral malleolus, the Achilles region or the dorsum of the foot. It can be an excellent alternative to fasciocutaneous or free flaps, with minimum donor-site morbidity, good cosmesis and an excellent functional result.

Peroneus Brevis Rotation Flap: Anatomic Considerations and Clinical Experience

BACKGROUND

Large soft tissue defects of the distal third of the leg are common occurrences at trauma centers. Massive defects often require vascularized free tissue transfer for coverage; however, smaller defects may frequently be closed by rotation of local tissue. The peroneus brevis muscle is ideally located to provide coverage of the exposed distal fibula.

METHODS

An anatomic dissection of the peroneus brevis muscle and its vascular pedicles was performed in 10 fresh cadaveric leg specimens. Patients who underwent this procedure at our institution were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS

Each dissected muscle had an average of 3.5 vascular pedicles (range, 2-6), which arose from the peroneal artery in all but two cases. The average distance of the distal pedicle from the tip of the lateral malleolus was 6.7 cm (range, 3.5-12.0 cm). The muscle belly ended an average of 6.0 mm proximal to the tip of the lateral malleolus. Half of the specimens had muscle bellies that extended to or past the tip of the lateral malleolus. This rotation flap has been successful in covering four wounds with exposed distal fibula in four patients.

CONCLUSION

The anatomic characteristics of the peroneus brevis muscle are ideal for soft tissue coverage of the distal fibula. Ease of elevation and reliability have made this rotational flap the procedure of choice for small soft tissue defects over the distal fibula at our institution.