Distally based peroneus brevis muscle flap: A single centre experience.

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Reconstructive Surgery
• Microsurgery

Background:

• Distal leg and ankle defects pose significant management challenges.
• Conservative treatments and simple skin grafts are often insufficient for these complex injuries.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the distally based peroneus brevis muscle flap for soft tissue and bony defects in the distal third of the leg and ankle.
• To analyze patient outcomes and complications associated with this reconstructive technique.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 25 patients treated with distally based peroneus brevis muscle flaps between January 2013 and January 2018.
• Data collected included patient demographics, injury etiology, defect characteristics, and surgical outcomes.
• All patients were followed up for a minimum of three months post-surgery.

Main Results:

• The study included 21 males and 4 females, with a mean age of 39 years.
• Road traffic accidents were the most common cause of defects, with an average size of 20 cm².
• No complete flap loss occurred; however, 20% experienced marginal necrosis, and two patients required secondary grafting due to hematoma-related graft loss.

Conclusions:

• The distally based peroneus brevis muscle flap is a safe and anatomically reliable reconstructive choice for small to moderate defects in the distal leg and ankle.
• Skin graft loss is the most frequent complication, suggesting that primary delayed grafting may improve outcomes.