足底外侧动脉第5跖骨穿支皮瓣修复前足外侧创面的效果

OBJECTIVE: To explore the efficacy of the fifth metatarsal perforator flap of the lateral plantar artery in repairing the wounds on the anterolateral side of the foot. METHODS: This study was a retrospective observational study. Eight patients with skin and soft tissue defects on the anterolateral side of the foot and conformed to the inclusion criteria were admitted to the Department of Plastic Surgery of Hanzhong Central Hospital from July 2020 to July 2023. There were 6 males and 2 females, aged 22 to 72 years. Among the patients, there were three patients with electrical burns, four patients with trauma, and one patient with plantar wart. Preoperatively, a Doppler blood flow detector was used to clarify the number and location of the fifth metatarsal perforating vessels. The area of the wounds measured during the operation ranged from 4.0 cm×3.0 cm to 7.0 cm×5.0 cm, and the fifth metatarsal perforator flaps of the lateral plantar artery with area of 4.0 cm×4.0 cm to 9.0 cm×6.0 cm were designed and harvested to repair the wounds. The wounds in the flap donor sites were repaired with medium-thickness skin grafts from lower limb on the same side. The duration of surgery and intraoperative blood loss volume were recorded. The survivals of the transplanted flap and skin graft were observed after surgery. At the last follow-up, the appearance of the flap and the occurrence of complication were observed, the two-point discrimination distance of the flap was measured, and the shape of the flap donor site as well as the sensation and other functions of the affected foot were observed. RESULTS: The duration of surgery ranged from 70 to 100 min, with an average of 84.6 min. The intraoperative blood loss volume ranged from 30 to 80 mL, with an average of 53.5 mL. After surgery, all flaps survived completely; only one patient developed partial necrosis of the skin graft in the wound in flap donor site, and the wound healed completely after dressing change and re-grafting medium-thickness skin graft from lower limb on the same side. Postoperative follow-up was conducted for 6 to 24 months, with an average of 13.8 months. At the last follow-up, none of the patients developed bloated and deformed flaps or pressure ulcers, and the two-point discrimination distance of the flap ranged from 5 to 13 mm. No tendon adhesion or scar hyperplasia was observed in the flap donor sites, and the sensation, weight-bearing, and walking functions of the affected feet were normal. CONCLUSIONS: The use of the fifth metatarsal perforator flap of the lateral plantar artery for repairing the wounds on the anterolateral side of the foot has the advantages of flexible flap design, minimal damage to the flap donor site, simple and feasible surgical operation, and good postoperative foot appearance and function, which is worthy of clinical application and promotion.