[External supramalleolar flap in the reconstructive surgery of the foot]

The external supramalleolar flap is a mixed cutaneoaponeurotic flap removed from the external surface of lower part of leg and with, as its principal vascular pedicle, the anterior perforating branch of the peroneal artery. The flap can be used in two ways: as a rotation flap with distal cutaneous hinge allowing lover third of internal surface of leg and instep to be covered, or as a retrograde flux island flap by anastomosis of perforating artery to arteries of foot. The latter procedure is of interest in that it permits covering of loss of distal substance of foot in the dorsal or plantar region. Results of use of this method in 35 patients situate the place of the external supramalleolar flap in the techniques available for lower limb repair.