Objective To investigate the clinical feasibility of different types of the saphenous neuro-veno-fascial cutaneous flaps. Methods From June 1996 to October 2002, 18 cases of skin defects in the knee and the lower part of the limb were treated with proximally(4 cases) or distally(11 cases) based pedicles of saphenous neuro-venofascial cutaneous flap or crossleg flap (3 cases)according to the site of defects . The sizes of the flaps ranged from 4 cm×5 cm to 9 cm×20 cm. Results The flaps survived completely in 17 cases, distal 1/5 of the flap necrosed partially in 1 case because of vein drainage disturbance. The colour and texture of flaps were excellent, the appearance and function were satisfactory after a follow up of 6-24 months.Conclusion The saphenous neuro-veno-fascial cutaneous flap is an idea flap in repairing skin defects of the knee, the leg, the ankle and the foot because it is easy to be designed and dissected and it has reliable blood supply and preserved main artery. The relationship between the septal perforating branches of the tibial posteriorartery and survival size of flap need to be investigated further.
Objective To investigatethe anatomic structure of the compound flap of distally-based saphenous nervegreat saphenous vein nutritional vessels so as to provide anatomic basis for the clinical operation. Methods The origin, branches, anastomosis of nutritional vessels of sural nerve-great saphenous vein, and the relationof blood supply of tibia and soleus muscle were observed on 30 low limb specimens of adult cadaver, which were perfused with red gelatin to dissect from the artery. Results The nutritional vessels of sural nerve-great saphenous vein originated from: the saphenous artery 3-5 branches with a diameter of 0.7±0.4 mm；the cutaneous branches of medial inferior genicular artery, diameter of 0.7±0.2 mm；the intermuscular space perforating branches of posterior tibial artery 2-7 branches with a diameter of 1.0±0.2 mm，the internus halfside of the muscular branches nutrient soleus muscle；the perforating osteoseptocutaneous 1-2 branches with a diameter of 1.3±0.3 mm; the perforating branches of superior malleolus with a diameter of 0.6±0.2 mm; the perforating branches of medial anterior malleolus with a diameter of 0.8±0.3 mm. A vascularnetwork of 3 layers, which included periosteum, deep artery, and fascia nerve and superficial vein, was formed by those branches of deep artery, fascia branches, periosteum branches, and nerve-vein nutrition branches. Conclusion The nutritional vessels of saphenous nerve-great saphenous vein has the same origin as muscles, bones, and cutaneous nutritional vessels. It provides anatomic basis for the compound flap of distally-based saphenous nerve nutritional vessels.
Objective To investigate the surgical methods and cl inical results of reconstructing soft tissue defects in dorsum of forefoot with distally based saphenous neurocutaneous flap of lower rotating point. Methods From January 2005 to August 2007, 6 cases of soft tissue defects in dorsum of forefoot, including 4 males and 2 females aged 28-53 years, were treated with the distally based saphenous neurocutaneous flaps of lower rotating point. The soft tissue defect was in left foot in 2 cases and in right foot in 4 cases. Five cases of soft tissue defects were caused by crush, and 1 case was caused by traffic accident. Tendons and bones were exposed in all cases. The defects after debridement were 7.0 cm × 5.0 cm to 9.0 cm × 5.5 cm in size. Emergency operation was performed in 2 cases and selective operation in 4 cases. Rotating point of the flaps was from 1 to 3 cm above medial malleolus. The size of the flaps ranged from 8.0 cm × 6.0 cm to 13.0 cm × 6.5 cm. Neuroanastomosis was performed in 2 cases of the flaps. Skin defects in donor site were repaired with thickness skin graft. Results Four cases of the transferred flaps survived completely and the other 2 cases began to swell and emerge water bl ister from the distant end of the flap after operation, which resulted in distal superficial necrosis of flaps, heal ing was achieved after change dressings and skin grafted. Skin graft in donor site survived completely in all cases. All cases were followed up from 6 to 18 months. The color and texture and thickness of theflaps were similar to reci pient site. Pain sensation and warmth sensation of the 2 flaps whose cutaneous nerve were anastomosed recovered completely, two point discrimination were 8 mm and 9 mm respectively. Sensation and warmth sensation of the 4 flaps whose cutaneous nerve were not anastomosed recovered partly. All patients returned to their normal walking and running activities and no ulceration occurred. No donor site morbidity was encountered. Conclusion Blood supply of the distally based saphenous neurocutaneous flap of lower rotating point is sufficient, the flap is especially useful for repair of soft tissue defects in dorsum of forefoot.