Lower Limb Reconstruction - Fasciocutaneous Sural Flap

• Published in: Revista brasileira de ortopedia 2019-04, Vol.54 (2), p.128-133
• Main Authors: Severo, Antonio Lourenco, Coppi, Eduardo Felipe Mandarino, Cavalheiro, Haiana Lopes, Bosco, Alexandre Luiz Dal, Filho, Danilo Barreto, Lemos, Marcelo Barreto
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: fáscia/transplante; nervo sural/ transplante; Original | Artigo Original; ORTHOPEDICS; retalhos cirúrgicos; traumatismos da perna
• ISSN: 0102-3616; 1982-4378; 1982-4378
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rbo.2017.12.016

The present study aims to evaluate the use of the reverse-flow sural fasciocutaneous flap to cover lesions in the distal third of the lower limb.  A total of 24 cases were analyzed, including 20 traumatic injuries, 3 sports injuries, and 1 case of tumor resection.  Among the 24 evaluated medical records, 16 patients were male, and 8 were female. Their age ranged from 6 to 75 years old. Most of the patients evolved with total healing of the flap ( 21). There was only one case of total necrosis of the flap in an insulin-dependent diabetic, high blood pressure patient, evolving to subsequent limb amputation. In two cases, there was partial necrosis and subsequent healing by secondary intention; one of these patients was a heavy smoker. Complications were associated with comorbidities and, unlike other studies, no correlation was observed with the learning curve. There was also no correlation with the site or size of the lesion to be covered.  It is clinically relevant that the success rate of the reverse-flow sural fasciocutaneous flap technique was of 87.5%. This is a viable and effective alternative in the therapeutic arsenal for complex lower limb lesions.