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J Reconstr Microsurg 2013; 29(04): 271-276
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1333321
Original Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Using the Pedicle Flap for Taking Pressure off the Pedicle in Distally Based Skin Flaps

Jiaju Zhao
1   Department of Hand and Foot Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
,
Peiji Wang
1   Department of Hand and Foot Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
,
Bo Jiang
1   Department of Hand and Foot Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

31 August 2012

06 November 2012

Publication Date:
09 January 2013 (online)

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Abstract

This report describes our experience using the pedicle flap for taking pressure off the pedicle in distally based skin flaps. Between July 2007 and March 2010, distally based skin flaps were used to treat 34 patients with soft tissue defects in the lower leg, ankle, and foot. A pedicle flap was used to take pressure off the pedicle in all of these flaps. There were 21 men and 13 women with a mean age at surgery of 47 years (range, 21 to 67 years). The sizes of the soft tissue defects varied from 5.0 cm × 2.0 cm to 17.0 cm × 10.0 cm. The pedicle flap sizes varied from 1.0 cm × 1.0 cm to 5.0 cm × 3.5 cm. All flaps survived completely except three, which suffered a marginal partial flap necrosis due to venous congestion. These flaps healed by secondary intention after changing the dressing. Using the pedicle flap takes pressure off the pedicle and facilitates primary closure after transposition of the distally based skin flaps, which is a simple and effective method to prevent complications of these flaps.

Keywords

distally based skin flaps - complications - lower extremity reconstruction
 

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