Popliteal fossa reconstruction with a medial sural artery perforator free flap using the medial sural vessel as the recipient

Abstract

Background: Reconstruction of the popliteal fossa using a free flap is challenging. Therefore, to facilitate easier free flap reconstruction of the popliteal fossa, we use a medial sural artery perforator (MSAP) free flap with a medial sural vessel as the recipient vessel, as it provides several advantages based on many reports.

Methods: This report describes the authors’ experience and outcomes with this technique. Between October 2010 and January 2015, 10 patients with medium-sized defects in their popliteal fossa underwent MSAP free flap reconstruction using the medial sural vessel as the recipient vessel. The flap size and thickness were evaluated, as well as the pedicle length, for each case.

Results: The skin flap sizes ranged from 60–112 cm². The average flap thickness was 6 mm (range = 4–8 mm), and the average pedicle length was 7.5 cm (range = 6–9 cm). Full flap survival was observed in nine cases, and flap tip necrosis was observed in one case during a mean follow-up of 15 months (range = 3–36 months). MSAP free flap reconstruction was performed for moderate-sized defects in the popliteal fossa, using the medial sural vessel as the recipient vessel.

Conclusion: The obvious advantages of this technique included simple vascular anastomosis (minimal size discrepancy), no intraoperative position changes, and good aesthetic outcomes (replacing like with like).

Keywords:

• Medial sural artery perforator free flap
• medial sural vessel
• popliteal fossa
• vascular anastomosis

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

Compliance with ethical standards

All of the procedures followed were in accordance with the ethical standards of the Ulsan University Hospital institutional review board (UUH 2015-03-026) on human experimentation and with the Helsinki Declaration of 1975, as revised in 1983. Informed consent was obtained from all patients.