BACKGROUND: The distally based neurocutaneous flaps have potential for the effective reconstruction of soft tissue defects of the extremities. The sural flap has been used successfully to treat soft tissue losses in the lower leg. Classically, the flap is designed in the lower two thirds of the leg. We extended it proximally, allowing the flap to reach the midfoot defects, and treat more extensive soft tissues defects of the lower leg. METHODS: A prospective study was performed from March 2002 to June 2003. We used the distally based sural flap with some modifications to treat five patients. RESULTS: The functional and anatomical results were good. The most part of the patients was treated in a single procedure. Partial loss occurred in two flaps and there was no total loss. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that it is possible to use the upper part of the leg in this flap, making it bigger in order to treat more extensive soft tissue defects or with a longer pedicle to treat more distal lesions.
Surgical flaps; Leg injuries; Ankle injuries; Lower extremity; Surgery
