Analysis of the causes and the countermeasures for the serious complications after perforating pedicle flap of lower leg

Abstract

Objective To analysis causes of the serious complications after the operation of the lower leg perforator pedicle screw flap, and to explore the corresponding countermeasures. Methods From June, 2012 to August, 2016, 60 cases of soft tissue defect of ankle and foot were repaired with propeller flaps pedicled with perforator of lower legs. with the area were soft tissue defect ranged from 3.0 cm×2.0 cm to 19.0 cm×9.0 cm, and all with bone exposure. Two cases of traumatic tissue defect, 7 cases were chronic osteomyelitis of the distal tibia, 13 cases were incision infection and necrosis after the operation of ankle joint fracture and Pilon fracture, 10 cases were simple incision necrosis after calcaneal fracture, 18 cases were calcaneal osteomyelitis, 1 case were soft tissue defect after the ankle tumor operation, 6 cases were soft tissue necrosis after the Achilles tendon rupture, and 3 cases were soft tissue defect of the dorsum with infection. The posterior tibial artery perforator pedicled propeller flap was used in 18 cases. The pedicle of the vascular pedicle was 6.0-18.0 cm from the medial malleolus, the flap rotation was 135°-180°. There were 42 cases of the perforator pedicle propeller flap of the peroneal artery, 5.0-18.0 cm from the pedicle of the vascular pedicle and 120°-180° rotation in the flap. The area of the flap was 9.0 cm×3.0 cm-34.0 cm×18.0 cm. There were 32 cases of direct suture in the donor site and 28 cases of free skin grafting. Results The color, swelling, elasticity, capillary reaction and healing of donor site were observed after operation. There was no flap ischemia occurred in 60 patients. Fourteen cases had venous reflux obstruction, all of which had swelling above II degree, 8 cases had swelling above III degree with obvious purple blood stasis, resulting in partial flap necrosis in 4 cases, all necrosis in 1 case, including 4 cases of free skin grafting, 1 case of flap transplantation and repair. There were 3 cases of necrosis after skin grafting in the flap area, all of which were partial necrosis. There was case of necrosis of the wound surface after direct suture of the donor site and 1 case of skin disintegration after disassembly, and all wounds healed after the replacement of the wound and the external use of the dried blood powder. All the 60 patients were followed-up for 12 to 30 (mean, 24.5)months. The flaps survived and the donor site scars healed well. The range of motion of the ankle was from -10°to 10°(mean, 5.6 °) and the flexion of the plantar was from 20 °to 50 °(mean, 37.8 °). Fourteen patients with venous reflux disorder were followed up for 15 to 28(mean, 22.3)months. The flap and skin graft survived well. Ankle dorsiflexion ranged from -10° to 10 °(mean, 2.4 °) and plantar flexion from 20° to 45 °(mean, 35.6 °). There was no obvious limp in walking. Conclusion Although the overall effect of the lower leg perforator pedicle propeller flap to repair the soft tissue defect of the foot and ankle is satis-factory, there are still various serious complications, which are mainly due to iatrogenic. Doctors should strictly follow the basic principles of skin flap surgery from preoperative to postoperative, and during operation and postoperative man-agement, so as to reduce the incidence of complications. Key words: Lower leg; Perforator vessel; Propeller flap, perforator flap; Ankle and foot; Complication