Journal of Trauma and Injury

The Korean Society of Traumatology (대한외상학회)
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Proximally based sural artery flap for the reconstruction of soft tissue defects around the knee and proximal third of the leg in India: a clinical study

  • Palukuri Lakshmi (Department of Plastic Surgery, Osmania Medical College and Hospital) ;
  • Sreedharala Srinivas (Department of Neurosurgery, Osmania Medical College and Hospital) ;
  • Dharmapuri Madhulika (Department of Plastic Surgery, Osmania Medical College and Hospital) ;
  • Sanujit Pawde (Department of Plastic Surgery, Osmania Medical College and Hospital) ;
  • Ajo Sebastian (Department of Plastic Surgery, Osmania Medical College and Hospital) ;
  • Swathi Sankar (Department of Plastic Surgery, Osmania Medical College and Hospital) ;
  • Sandeep Reddy Chintha (Department of Plastic Surgery, Osmania Medical College and Hospital)
  • Received : 2023.06.15
  • Accepted : 2023.09.04
  • Published : 2023.12.31
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Abstract

Purpose: The reconstruction of defects around the knee and the proximal third of the leg necessitates thin, pliable skin with a stable and sensate soft tissue cover. This study analyzed the use of a proximally based sural artery flap for the coverage of such defects. Methods: This prospective clinical interventional study involved 10 patients who had soft tissue defects over the knee and the proximal third of the leg. These patients underwent reconstruction with a proximally based sural artery flap. The study analyzed various factors including age, sex, etiology, location and presentation of the defect, defect dimensions, flap particulars, postoperative complications, and follow-up. Results: There were 10 cases, all of which involved men aged 20 to 65 years. The most common cause of injury was trauma resulting from road traffic accidents. The majority of defects were found in the proximal third of the leg, particularly on the anterolateral aspect. Defect dimensions varied from 6×3 to 15×13 cm2, and extensive defects as large as 16 cm×14 cm could be covered using this flap. The size of the flaps ranged from 7×4 to 16×14 cm2, and the pedicle length was 10 to 15 cm. In all cases, donor site closure was achieved with split skin grafting. This flap consistently provided a thin, pliable, stable, and durable soft tissue cover over the defect with no functional deficit and minimal donor site morbidity. Complications, including distal flap necrosis and donor site graft loss, were observed in two cases. Conclusions: The proximally based sural fasciocutaneous flap serves as the primary method for reconstructing medium to large soft tissue defects around the knee and the proximal third of the leg. This technique offers thin, reliable, sensate, and stable soft tissue coverage, and can cover larger defects with minimal complications.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

The authors thank their family members and colleagues for their cooperation in completion of this study. The authors also thank the operating room, ward staff, and the clerical staff for their involvement and cooperation.

References

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