Posterior tibial artery perforator flap. Case series.

• Main Authors: Franco Luis De Cicco, Danilo Taype Zamboni, Jorge Daniel Barla, Carlos Federico Sancineto, Guido Carabelli
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Asociacion Argentina de Ortopedia y Traumatologia 2019-08-01
• Series: Revista de la Asociación Argentina de Ortopedia y Traumatologia
• Subjects: Perforante de arteria tibial posterior; colgajo; defecto de cobertura. Posterior tibial artery perforator; flap; coverage defects.
• Online Access: https://ojs.aaot.org.ar/ojsr/index.php/AAOTMAG/article/view/935
• ISSN: 1515-1786; 1852-7434

Introduction: Coverage defects in the leg are a challenge due to the particulars of the anatomy in said area, different reconstruction strategies have been developed, being the fasciocutaneous perforator flaps the most frequently used. The aim of this paper is to discuss the therapeutic alternative and to describe the surgical technique, the results and the complications of the posterior tibial artery perforator flap (PTAPF) to treat coverage defects. Materials and Methods: We performed a retrospective review of patients treated with a fasciocutaneous flap. We analyzed preoperative demographic variables. The surgical technique and the indications in each patient are described. Finally, the postoperative variables, such as complications and flap survival, were analyzed. Results: Twelve patients (all male) treated with PTAPF were included. The average age at the time of surgery was 52 years (range: 29-77 years). The maximum follow-up was 55 months, with a minimum of 5 months (average: 18 months). There were two flaps with transient congestion that reverted spontaneously: one partial failure and one total failure. Conclusions: PTAPF should be considered a viable option for the treatment of small- and medium-sized leg wounds, since they provide similar tissue thickness, texture and color on the recipient site, achieving good clinical and cosmetic results.