Resurfacing of Foot and Distal Leg Soft Tissue Defects Using Reversed Pedicled Peroneal Artery Flaps Augmented by Superficial Sural Artery: A Prospective Clinical Trial
试验速览
- 阶段
- 不适用
- 状态
- 尚未招募
- 入组人数
- 30
- 主要终点
- Number of Participants with Complete Flap Survival
研究概览
简要总结
Wounds involving the skin and soft tissue of the lower leg, ankle, heel, and foot can be difficult to treat because there is very little skin and tissue available in that area to cover the wound. When the wound is large or involves exposed bone or tendon, a flap, which is a piece of skin and tissue moved from a nearby area, is needed to close it.
This study evaluates a surgical technique called the Reversed Peroneal Artery Flap (RPAF). In this procedure, a flap of skin and tissue from the outer side of the lower leg is lifted and rotated to cover the wound. The blood supply to the flap comes from the peroneal artery, which runs along the fibula bone, and is augmented by the superficial sural artery to improve flap survival. The study will include 30 adult patients who have soft tissue defects of the distal leg, ankle, heel, or foot. All patients will undergo the RPAF procedure at Assiut University Hospitals, Egypt. The main goal is to measure how well the flap survives after surgery. Secondary goals include assessing complications, functional recovery, and the condition of the donor site.
详细描述
Soft tissue defects of the distal leg, ankle, and foot present a significant reconstructive challenge due to the limited availability of local soft tissue, the critical functional requirements of the area, and the high risk of complications such as osteomyelitis and unstable scarring. Traditional reconstructive options include local flaps, skin grafts, cross-leg flaps, and free tissue transfer. While free flaps offer robust coverage, they require specialized microvascular expertise, prolonged operative time, and are not suitable for all patients, particularly those with significant comorbidities or in resource-limited settings. The Reverse Peroneal Artery Flap (RPAF) is a distally-based fasciocutaneous or perforator-based flap supplied by the peroneal artery. Its survival relies on retrograde blood flow through anastomoses between the peroneal artery and the anterior and posterior tibial arteries around the ankle joint. Augmentation with the superficial sural artery has been proposed to further enhance flap perfusion and reliability. Pre-operative assessment includes clinical examination of the defect and peripheral pulses, Doppler ultrasonography to confirm patency of the anterior and posterior tibial arteries and to identify peroneal artery perforators, and plain X-rays to rule out osteomyelitis. CT angiography may be used in selected complex cases. The flap is designed along the axis of the peroneal artery perforators with the pivot point 5-7 cm above the tip of the lateral malleolus. The flap size is designed 1-2 cm larger than the defect. Elevation proceeds in a subfascial plane from proximal to distal, with ligation of the peroneal artery proximal to the most proximal perforator included. The flap is then rotated 180° to cover the defect. The donor site is closed primarily or with a split-thickness skin graft (STSG). Post-operative care includes limb elevation, close monitoring for venous congestion, and immobilization in a plaster of Paris splint for 3-4 weeks.
研究设计
- 研究类型
- Interventional
- 分配方式
- Na
- 干预模型
- Single Group
- 主要目的
- Treatment
- 盲法
- None
入排标准
- 年龄范围
- 18 Years 至 —（Adult, Older Adult）
- 性别
- All
- 接受健康志愿者
- 否
入选标准
- •Patients with soft tissue defects of the distal third of the leg, ankle, heel, or foot requiring flap coverage.
- •Defect size greater than [Specify size, e.g., 5x5 cm] or involving exposed bone, tendon, or joint.
- •Palpable pulse in at least one of the major vessels Anterior Tibial Artery (ATA) or Posterior Tibial Artery (PTA)) at the ankle level.
- •Informed consent obtained from the patient or legal guardian
排除标准
- •Patients with peripheral vascular disease (PVD) or diabetes mellitus (DM) or smokers
- •Comminuted fractures of the tibia & fibula
- •Patients requiring free flap coverage for massive defects or location beyond the RPAF's reach as the planter aspect of the foot
研究组 & 干预措施
Reversed Peroneal Artery Flap Group
Patients with soft tissue defects of the distal leg, ankle, heel, or foot underwent reconstruction using a reversed pedicled peroneal artery fasciocutaneous flap augmented by the superficial sural artery. The flap was designed along the axis of peroneal artery perforators, elevated in a subfascial plane, and rotated 180° to cover the defect. The pivot point was placed 5-7 cm above the tip of the lateral malleolus. The donor site was closed primarily or with a split-thickness skin graft. Post-operative care included limb elevation and immobilization for 3-4 weeks.
干预措施: Reversed Pedicled Peroneal Artery Flap (Procedure)
结局指标
主要结局
Number of Participants with Complete Flap Survival
时间窗: 6 weeks post-operatively
The number of participants whose reversed pedicled peroneal artery flap survives completely without total necrosis, requiring no further surgical coverage. Assessed via clinical examination of flap viability.
次要结局
- Number of Participants with Post-Operative Complications(6 weeks post-operatively)
研究者
Gelan Raif Hassan Nafady
Resident at Orthopaedic & Trauma Department, Assiut University
Assiut University