Repair of foot defect with a reverse fascial pedicled posterolateral lower leg flap

OBJECTIVE: To explore the applications of ipsilateral reverse fascial pedicled posterolateral lower leg flap in foot defect repair. METHODS: A fasciocutaneous flap was designed over the gastrocnemius muscle to repair the defects in the foot or the lower third of the leg. The flap was based on a perforator branch between the lateral malleolus and the Achilles tendon, coming from the vessel network of the ankle as well as the deep fascia. RESULTS: This method was used in 6 cases, including 2 children of 5-6 years old. All the flaps survived without necrosis and venous congestion. CONCLUSIONS: The operation is simple and a large flap over the whole gastrocnemius muscle can be raised without sacrifice of a main blood vessel. It is an excellent method for repair of the defects in the heel, medial and lateral malleolus, dorsum pedis and the lower third of the leg.