Abstract：
The reconstruction of soft tissue defects in the foot and ankle remains a big challenge due to the anatomical characteristics of this area. This study evaluated the long-term effectiveness of covering by lateral supramalleolar flap in patients with soft tissue defects around the ankle and foot. We conducted a retrospective study from January 2017 to December 2020 at the Hospital for Traumatology and Orthopedics, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Data about patients\' characteristics, detailed injuries, perioperative information, intraprocedural dossier, and complications of this method were recorded and analyzed. There were 31 male and 17 female patients, with an average age of 39.8 (ranging from 11 to 77) years. The skin defects ranged from 8 cm2 to 120 cm2. The blood supply for the flap included a mixed-flow pattern (n = 30) and retrograde flow (n = 18). The success rate was 94%. Forty-two patients had been successfully covered, five patients had partial flap necrosis (in which two cases needed skin graft afterwards and three cases got spontaneous healing), only one patient had total flap necrosis. In conclusion, the lateral supramalleolar flap can cover the soft tissue of ankle and foot defects in both mixed-blood supply pattern or retrograde pattern with high success rates. However, the risk of venous congestion should be considered, particularly when using the retrograde pattern flap.
摘要：
由于该区域的解剖特征，足部和踝关节的软组织缺损的重建仍然是一个很大的挑战。这项研究评估了踝上外侧皮瓣覆盖在踝关节和足部周围软组织缺损患者中的长期有效性。我们从2017年1月至2020年12月在创伤和骨科医院进行了一项回顾性研究。胡志明市,越南。有关患者特征的数据，详细的伤害,围手术期信息,程序内档案,并对该方法的并发症进行记录和分析。有31名男性和17名女性患者，平均年龄为39.8岁（11至77岁）。皮肤缺损的范围为8cm2至120cm2。皮瓣的血液供应包括混合流模式（n=30）和逆行流（n=18）。成功率为94%。42名病人已成功获得承保,5例皮瓣部分坏死(其中2例术后需要植皮,3例自发愈合),只有1例患者出现皮瓣完全坏死。总之,踝上外侧皮瓣可以以混合供血模式或逆行模式覆盖踝部和足部缺损的软组织，成功率很高。然而,应考虑静脉充血的风险，特别是当使用逆行模式的皮瓣。
