UNASSIGNED: Soft tissue reconstruction of the lower third of the leg, the ankle, and the foot is challenging for reconstructive surgeons. The options for reconstruction are limited. Reverse sural flap is relatively easy to perform and considered a good option for reconstruction. The complication rates are variable in studies. This study aims to systemically review all available articles based on reverse sural flap focusing on complications of the flap. The overall complication of the flap helps to better understand the reliability of the flap.
UNASSIGNED: A comprehensive literature search was performed using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Google Scholar to identify cases of reverse sural artery flap.
UNASSIGNED: A pooled analysis of 89 articles was performed, which yielded 2575 patients (2592 flaps) over a period of 19 years. Most of the cases were performed in Asian countries (1540 flaps, 59.4%) with the majority being performed in China (746 flaps, 28.8%). The most common cause for reverse sural flap surgery was trauma/postsurgical (1785/2592) followed by burn/scarring. Flap complications were recorded in 653 of 2592 flaps (25.20%). The most common complication was partial flap loss, which was recorded in 204 flaps (7.85%) followed by venous congestion (79 flaps, 3.05%). Complete flap loss was observed only in 66 participants (2.5% of all the flaps performed).
UNASSIGNED: Reverse sural flap is reliable flap for the reconstruction of lower leg, ankle, and foot. It can give a comparable outcome as free flap when meticulously performed and, in many cases, a better result.

In this study, we intend to explore the clinical efficacy of abdominal expander implantation combined with flap technique in adult chronic osteomyelitis of lower limb with soft tissue defects, and to provide the basis for the promotion of the technique in clinical practice. Four patients diagnosed with chronic osteomyelitis of lower extremity with soft tissue defect were enrolled in this prospective study. Evaluation indicators included state of flap survival, state of abdominal incision, surrounding of abdominal wound scar, satisfaction of the patient, state of flap survival half a year after surgery, whether the 3D prosthesis is successfully implanted and limb movement. Four patients had complete flap survival, two of whom had a small amount of skin graft survival disorder in the vascular pedicle area, which improved after 1 month of dressing change. The expander had an average expansion time of 31.5 days, an average water injection of 525 mL, and an average skin volume taken of 159 cm2 . No incision exudation, incision dehiscence, subcutaneous exudate and other complications occurred. The mean Vancouver Scar Scale score at 3 months after surgery was 3.5 (range from 3 to 6) points. Four patients showed good flap survival at six-month follow-up. 3D printed prosthesis were all successfully implanted. The treatment of adult chronic osteomyelitis of lower extremities with lower abdominal implantable expander combined with flap technique can effectively increase the skin harvesting area, reduce the suture tension of abdominal skin harvesting area and the scar hyperplasia of abdominal skin harvesting area.

BACKGROUND: A devasting course of Iliopsoas Muscle (IPM) abscess remains a challenging therapeutic problem.
METHODS: A 69-year-old polymorbid male had a history of multiple carcinomas and presented with advanced stage of septic shock due to a right IPM abscess which communicated with the right hip joint and subsequently led to septic hip arthritis accompanied with post-infectious right gluteal deep soft tissue necroses. Management of surgical treatment included abscess revision, coverage with the use of Long Head Biceps Femoris Muscle (LHBFM) 180° turnover flap, and creating a Girdlestone resection-arthroplasty.
RESULTS: After a duration of patient\'s hospitalization of six months that included the necessity of artificial respiration over two months accompanied with in summary 18 required surgical procedures, the patient could be recovered successfully regarding his polymorbidity and his low-demand claims in activities of daily living with his Girdlestone resection-arthroplasty.
CONCLUSIONS: Recovery of immunocompromised patients with those life-threatening situations can only be achieved by an interdisciplinary management. The LHBFM 180° turnover flap can be useful for filling off post-infectious deep soft tissue cavities communicating with the hip joint. The definitive Girdlestone resection-arthroplasty for treatment of septic hip arthritis is the method of choice for mobilization of elderly polymorbid patients with low demand claims in their activities of daily living.

BACKGROUND: Reconstruction of soft tissue defects in fingers continues to be a challenging problem. The purpose of this study is to report the reconstruction of small-to-moderate defects of fingers with dorsal digital island flap (DDIF) and to evaluate the efficacy of use of the flap.
METHODS: Over last six years, a retrospective study was conducted with 65 patients who had soft tissue defects of fingers treated with the DDIF. Sixty-nine soft-tissue defects were found in 69 fingers in 65 patients. Based on the flow direction of blood supply, the patients were divided into two groups: the direct (n=35) and reversed (n=30) DDIF groups. In addition, based on the different donor sites, the direct DDIF group was divided into two subgroups: the proximal phalangeal direct DDIF subgroup (n=16) and the extended pedicle direct DDIF subgroup (n=19). The main outcomes were static 2-point discrimination and Semmes-Weinstein monofilament scores of flap and joint motion.
RESULTS: At the final follow-up, the mean static two-point discrimination of the flaps was 9.7mm (range, 8 to 12mm) in the proximal phalangeal direct DDIF subgroup and 8.3mm (range, 7 to 11mm) in the extended pedicle direct DDIF subgroup, with a significant difference (p=0.005). In the direct DDIF group, there was no significant difference in total active motion between the donor fingers and the opposite sides. In the reversed DDIF group, the mean total active motion of the donor fingers was 170° and the data of the opposite sides was 181°, with a significant difference (p=0.024). Maximum amplitude losses of 15° were seen in 12% of patients in the distal interphalangeal joint.
CONCLUSIONS: The DDIF is reliable and technically easy for reconstructing small-to-moderate defects of fingers. The extended pedicle direct DDIF may be an optional solution when sensory reconstruction is needed.