Anatomic assessment and clinical application of the lateral sural nerve-lesser saphenous vein vascular plexus island flap

Objective To investigate the practical anatomy and clinical applications of the lateral sural nerve-lesser saphenous vein vascular plexus island flap with median sural nerve preserved.Methods Ten lower limbs injected with color red latex and 20 fresh limbs were observed.Based on anatomical studies,the island flap pedicled with the vascular axis of lateral sural nerve and lesser saphenous vein was designed for clinical application in 63 cases.In procedure,the median sural nerve were preserved in donor site and the distal end of the lesser saphenous vein were not ligated.Results The accompanying arteries formed a favourable vascular plexus around the nerve and the vein,lied along the lateral sural nerve and the lesser saphenous vein and nourished the skin through cutaneous branches.The distance of the lateral ankle to the confluent of lateral and median sural nerve was (8.5± 0.8) cm.63 patients with soft tissue defects in the distal leg and foot were repaired.Their appearance and function were satisfaction without feeling lose in the heel and lateral side of the foot.Conclusions The lateral sural nerve-lesser saphenous vein vascular island flap is a reliable source of soft tissue to cover defects in the lower leg and foot.This flap has sufficient blood supply and high survival rate without the sacrifice of the median sural nerve. Key words: Lateral sural nerve; Lesser saphenous vein; Median sural nerve; Flap; Tissue defect