Cross-foot flap for ankle coverage.

The usual cross-leg flap procedures to cover composite wounds involving exposed ankle joint or bone require awkward positioning of the extremities with resultant complications. This is especially true in young, muscular patients with thick legs. A dorsalis pedis flap from the uninjured foot used as a cross-foot flap has been reliable and successful in our experience. A representative case history and the multiple advantages of this technique are described. We believe that this flap is an excellent alternative to the free-flap technique for coverage around the ankle area, especially in hospitals in which facilities for free-flap technique are not available.