Background: Soft tissue defects overlying the knee are often the result of trauma, post-burn contracted scars, and malignancy requiring a wide excision. These defects signify a great challenge to surgeons when faced with reconstructive surgery.
Aim of the Work: Evaluation of the versatility of pedicle medial sural artery perforator flap as a regional flap in reconstruction of knee and around knee soft tissue defects.
Patients and Methods: Twenty patients were recruited in this study who suffered soft tissue defects of knee and peri-knee with exposed vital structures. Fourteen patients were male and six were female and their ages ranged from 8 to 43 years (mean 10 years). all patients underwent reconstruction by medial sural artery perforator flap. Doppler ultrasound and CT angiography were performed to evaluate the location, number, and size of MSAPF perforators.
Results: Flap survival was uneventful, as 2 (10.0%) patients with Tip necrosis healed with dressing, 3 (15.0%) patients with partial graft loss at the donor site healed by secondary intention, and 3 (15.0%). The follow-up ranged from 3 to 13 months with a mean of 7.75 ± 2.95. The Pedicle Length (cm) ranged from 5.5 to 12 with a mean of 9.15 ± 1.76, and The mean Post-Operative Hospital Stay (day) was 13.30 ± 7.04. Perforator numbers ranged from 1 to 3 with a mean of 1.25 + 0.44.
Conclusion: Pedicle MSAP Flap is a versatile pliable flap and has along reliable pedicle with little donor site problems.