Reconstruction of Wagner Grade 4 Diabetic Foot Ulcers With the Superficial Circumflex Iliac Artery Perforator Free Flap

Abstract

Background

Microsurgical free tissue transfers are inevitable for Wagner grade 4 diabetic foot ulcers that cannot be treated conservatively and have a high risk of amputation. In this study, the results of the multidisciplinary management of Wagner grade 4 diabetic foot ulcers and their reconstruction using the SCIP free flap are presented.

Methods

Twenty-one patients with Wagner grade 4 diabetic foot ulcers who underwent reconstruction with the SCIP free flap were retrospectively reviewed. The pain, disability, and activity limitations were evaluated using the foot function index. The foot contour and esthetic satisfaction were evaluated using a 5-point Likert scale.

Results

Fifteen patients were male and 6 were female. Reconstruction was performed with chimeric SCIP flaps in five patients and with single-skin-island SCIP flaps in 16 patients. Thirteen flaps were suprafascial and eight were fasciocutaneous. All flaps survived; however, venous congestion (n = 2) and flap dehiscence (n = 2) were observed, which resolved spontaneously within 24 h and were treated conservatively. Seroma (n = 3) and dehiscence (n = 2) were observed in the donor area of fasciocutaneous flaps and treated conservatively with primary suturing. The mean pain, disability, and activity limitation scores were 9 ± 0.7, 8.5 ± 0.5, and 7.9 ± 0.4 preoperatively and 2.3 ± 0.7, 2.2 ± 0.5, and 1.9 ± 0.6 12 months postoperatively, respectively, showing statistically significant improvements (p < 0.001). The foot contour and esthetic satisfaction were excellent (mean Likert score = 5) in patients with suprafascial flaps and good to excellent (mean Likert score = 4.5 ± 0.5) in those with fasciocutaneous flaps, with a statistically significant difference (p = 0.0012). All flaps adapted well to the recipient areas.

Conclusions

Wagner grade 4 diabetic foot ulcers can be salvaged from amputation through multidisciplinary management and advanced microsurgical techniques, and that suprafascial SCIP flaps provide significant advantages in restoring the form and function of diabetic feet owing to their thin structure and the ability to create chimeric designs for multiple defects.