%0 Journal Article
%T Application of the distally based sural neurocutaneous flaps in the management of foot and ankle defects in patients with diabetic foot.
%A Dai J
%A Zhou Y
%A Mei S
%A Chen H
%J Front Endocrinol (Lausanne)
%V 13
%N 0
%D 2022
%M 36213287
%F 6.055
%R 10.3389/fendo.2022.1009714
%X We report our experience on the use of a distally based sural flap for soft tissue reconstruction of foot and ankle defects in patients with diabetic foot.<BR>The actual study is a retrospective, open, non-controlled, and clinical study of 25 patients treated with diabetic foot on whom reconstruction with distally based sural neurocutaneous flaps was performed from May 2019 to December 2021.<BR>The mean age was 64.9 years, and there were 15 male and 10 female patients. The mean follow-up was 9.8 months, which ranged from 6 to 12 months. The size of the flaps ranged from 6 × 5 to 15 × 9 cm2. Twenty-two of the 25 flaps survived intact with sufficient blood supply. Two cases had a small superficial necrosis, which was resolved after a change of daily dressing and was heeled eventually. In one case, partial necrosis was observed that was managed with minor revision and the use of split-thickness skin graft.<BR>The distally based sural flap is considered to be useful for reconstruction of foot and ankle defects in patients with diabetic foot.