The Distally Based Saphenous Neurocutaneous Perforator Flap: A Versatile Donor Site for Reconstruction of Complex Soft Tissue Defects of the Lower Leg.
L, S., C, W., G, W., P, H., & Y, C. (2026). The Distally Based Saphenous Neurocutaneous Perforator Flap: A Versatile Donor Site for Reconstruction of Complex Soft Tissue Defects of the Lower Leg.. Annals of plastic surgery. https://doi.org/10.1097/SAP.0000000000000144
L S, C W, G W, P H, Y C. The Distally Based Saphenous Neurocutaneous Perforator Flap: A Versatile Donor Site for Reconstruction of Complex Soft Tissue Defects of the Lower Leg.. Annals of plastic surgery. 2026; doi: 10.1097/SAP.0000000000000144
L S, C W, G W, et al. The Distally Based Saphenous Neurocutaneous Perforator Flap: A Versatile Donor Site for Reconstruction of Complex Soft Tissue Defects of the Lower Leg.[J]. Annals of plastic surgery. 2026. DOI: 10.1097/SAP.0000000000000144.
@article{l2026,
author = {Shengdi L and Wang C and Wen G and Han P and Chai Y},
title = {The Distally Based Saphenous Neurocutaneous Perforator Flap: A Versatile Donor Site for Reconstruction of Complex Soft Tissue Defects of the Lower Leg.},
journal = {Annals of plastic surgery},
year = {2026},
doi = {10.1097/SAP.0000000000000144},
note = {PMID: 42275277},
}
TY - JOUR AU - Shengdi L AU - Wang C AU - Wen G AU - Han P AU - Chai Y TI - The Distally Based Saphenous Neurocutaneous Perforator Flap: A Versatile Donor Site for Reconstruction of Complex Soft Tissue Defects of the Lower Leg. T2 - Annals of plastic surgery PY - 2026 DO - 10.1097/SAP.0000000000000144 AN - PMID:42275277 ER -
BACKGROUND: Repair of both simple and complex defects in the distal lower leg continues to be a challenging task for reconstructive surgeons because of the local paucity of soft tissue available for transfer. The popular neurocutaneous flap, introduced by Masquelet et al in 1992, has provided a reliable and less technically demanding method for resurfacing defects of the lower leg. We herein present our experience with the versatile design of the distally based saphenous neurocutaneous perforator f lap to provide coverage of complex posttraumatic lower leg defects by harvesting multiple tissue compo-nents in various combinations. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Our series comprised 14 patients (11 men, 3 women; average age, 40.4 years; range, 22-58 years) who underwent an average follow-up period of 19.2 months (range, 9-25 months) (Table 1). The distal pivot point was kept at 5 to 7 cm above the tip of the medial malleolus, pre-serving the distal-most perforator, and 4 flaps were taken with massive sub-cutaneous tissue to obliterate the dead space. RESULTS: The procedure was uneventful in 13 patients. Slight venous con-gestion was noted in 1 patient, and secondary healing was achieved by con-servative treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The distally based saphenous neurocutaneous perforator flap is an excellent alternative for skin resurfacing of the distal lower leg, with sat-isfactory functional and aesthetic outcomes.