[Extensor digitorum muscle flap: its position in ankle and foot coverage. Report of 15 cases]

The authors report their experience about a 15 cases series of ankle and foot soft tissues defects reconstruction with the extensor digitorum brevis flap which demonstrates its advantages. The flap was elevated in 9 cases on the tibial artery while the 6 others were raised on the distal dorsalis pedis artery with a retrograde flow. Healing was obtained for all cases with a complete resolution of septic problems for the 8 concerned cases. The outcome was uneventful for all but one which presented with a partial skin donor site secondary necrosis. No functional or trophic problems were noticed in other cases. Elevation of the extensor digitorum brevis flap is simple without note-worthy sequelaes. It is a reliable technique either for skin coverage or osteitis cure at level of the ankle. When raised with a retrograde arterial flow, it also appears as a useful alternative for the fore-foot reconstruction, location recognized difficult to treat by local means.