Soft tissue reconstruction of foot and ankle defects with reverse sural fasciocutaneous flaps

ABSTRACT Objective This study presents the results of 25 consecutive patients and evaluates the success of reverse sural fasciocuteneous flap (RSFF) on coverage of the foot and ankle region. Methods A total of 25 patients with soft tissue defects in the lower leg, foot, or ankle were treated with RSFF, from January 2010 to January 2017. In the evaluation of patients, the form prepared by the clinic was used and the following data were collected: age, follow-up, gender, etiology, defect size, complications, and patient satisfaction rates. Results Mean follow up time was 18 months. In all patients, the defects were fully covered. Three patients developed partial necrosis due to venous congestion. There was no complete flap loss in any of the patients. Patient satisfaction was excellent in all cases. Conclusion RSFF is quick, versatile, and easy to apply; it also provides safe soft tissue coverage, requires no microvascular repair, and provides an alternative to microsurgical reconstruction.