[A simple way to secure the distally based fascio-cutaneous flap of the leg: the lesser sapheneous-greater sapheneous vein anastomosis. Report of 15 clinical cases].

PURPOSE: The distally based fasciocutaneous flaps of the leg are very useful for the treatment of skin defects at the lower third of the leg and the foot, but the venous congestion due to the reverse flow can be responsible of necrosis at the distal part of the flap. The anastomosis of the lesser saphenous vein which is included in the flap's dissection to the greater saphenous vein near the defect avoid this venous congestion and the necrosis of the most useful part of the flap for the coverage of these defects.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: From January 1999 to June 2005, 15 patients aged between 22 and 64 years old have benefited for the treatment of soft tissue defects secondary to trauma with a mean diameter of 7 x 10 cm and located in 7 cases at the lower third of the leg and in 8 cases at the posterior side of the heel, from distally based posterior fasciocutaneous flaps where the venous reverse flow has been changed in a physiological one by the terminolateral anastomosis between the lesser and greater saphenous vein. The dissection of these flaps was classical except that the lesser saphenous vein was dissected 6 cm beyond the proximal part of the flap in the popliteal region.

RESULTS: In all these flaps, there was no venous congestion and no arterial problems. With a mean follow-up of 40 months, the coverage's quality of these defects was very satisfactory. No sequellae are reported.

CONCLUSION: The anastomosis between the lesser and the greater saphenous veins seems to eliminate the main source of failure of the distally based fasciocutaneous flap of the leg and can reinforce the indications of these flaps for the treatment of such defects.