[Covering of soft tissue defects of the lower leg with adipo-facial flaps].

AIM OF THE STUDY: Soft tissue covering on the lower leg is a difficult challenge. A plastic surgical method for covering of these soft tissue defects is presented.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

From May 1997 until May 2003 36 patients were treated using neurovascular flaps. Above the sural or the saphenous nerve an adipo-facial flap is dissected, rotated into the defect and fixed without tension. Wound closure of the donor-site defect is done primarily or by mesh-graft.

RESULTS

In 35 cases the flap healed without functional impairment. Primary healing was achieved in 30 patients. In 5 cases partial loss of the skin island was registered, whereby subcutaneous tissue remained vital. Revision by mesh-graft transplantation led to successful healing in these patients. In only one patient necrosis of the flap was seen.

CONCLUSION

Neurovascular flaps usually result in reliable and complete healing of soft tissue defects of the lower extremity.