One-stage reconstruction of composite extremity defects with a sural neurocutaneous flap and a vascularized fibular graft: a novel chimeric flap based on the peroneal artery.

BACKGROUND: The fibula flap has been widely used for reconstruction of composite bone and soft-tissue defects. The skin paddle of the fibula flap has played a critical role in providing a cutaneous component and good monitor for the bone component. In this report, the authors designed a perforator-based sural neurocutaneous flap instead of a peroneal perforator flap to enlarge a skin paddle for wound coverage.

METHODS: A novel chimeric flap was harvested based on the peroneal artery, and consisted of a sural neurocutaneous flap and a fibular graft. The sural neurocutaneous flap was elevated based on a single peroneal perforator and connected with the bone component by means of the peroneal artery. Two patients with complex bone and soft-tissue defects were treated by using this chimeric flap. In case 1, the radius defect was 8 cm in length and the soft-tissue defect measured 23 × 10 cm. In case 2, the distal radius was injured and the defect was 16 cm in length. The area of soft-tissue defect was 23 × 8 cm. In this case, the fibula head was used for wrist reconstruction. The soft-tissue defects in the two cases stretched across the palmar and dorsal surfaces of the forearm.

RESULTS: The lengths of the bone components were 10 and 16.5 cm, respectively, and the areas of the skin components were 24 × 12 cm and 25 × 10 cm, respectively. Both chimeric flaps survived completely without complications. The follow-up period was 42 months in case 1 and 16 months in case 2. Complete bone union was observed in both cases, and no remarkable degeneration of the fibular head occurred in case 2. The sural neurocutaneous flap showed good texture match and contour. No serious donor-site complications occurred. The two patients were satisfied with their daily lives relative to the severity of their injuries.

CONCLUSION: The chimeric flap composed of a sural neurocutaneous flap and a fibular graft by means of the peroneal artery is a good candidate for reconstruction of long bone defects associated with extensive soft-tissue defects in the extremities.