Posterior Tibial Artery Perforator Propeller Flap. A Case Report

Abstract

Historically soft tissue reconstruction of the distal third of the leg has been a significant surgical challenge for the plastic surgeon despite the many advances in pedicled and free flap subject. Among the various surgical alternatives to rebuild lower limb defects, reverse flow sural flap and the soleus flap may be mentioned and in many cases are viable options, taking into account the area to rebuild and the assessment by the surgeon. Nonetheless, at present, propeller perforator flaps are an excellent reconstructive option widely used in lower limbs to cover soft tissue defects with or without bone, tendon, vascular and/or nervous exposure. These techniques have the main advantage that they do not require performing vascular anastomosis, therefore, knowledge in microsurgery is not indispensable, it requires the precise location of the perforating arteries to use through a manual doppler, this represents less difficulty and operative time when performing the procedure
The authors present a clinical case of a 14-year-old male patient, who underwent a propeller perforator flap from the Posterior Tibial Artery to cover a soft tissue defect produced by the excision of a scar contracture of the third distal of the right leg and dorsal right foot that affected him functionally and esthetically. The authors intend to create awareness of the procedure and its results, in order to disclose another reconstructive option for foot and distal leg that does not involve microsurgical techniques.