ABSTRACT
Free flap transfer can be a challenge because of the risk of anastomotic failure,
especially in microvascular tissue transfers. Although free medial crural flap based
on posterior tibial artery has many advantages and a high survival rate, the flap
is now performed with decreasing frequency for transfer because of the sacrifice of
one of the main arteries in the calf. To overcome this disadvantage, arterial reconstruction
has been developed and is already in use in clinical cases. The authors describe a
case of the “half-half” technique being performed. The donor artery was reconstructed
in a simple way with a little cost. Twelve patients underwent this type of flap transfer
and subsequent arterial reconstruction. All flaps survived. In no case was a subsequent
anastomosis/thrombosis operation required. Donor-site morbidities were negligible.
The free medial crural flap can be used reliably and successfully with advantages
of large vessel diameter and preservation of the major artery trunk.
KEYWORDS
Medial crural flap - posterior tibial artery - “half-half” technique
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Zhang XuM.D.
Microsurgery Department, The Second Hospital of Qinhuangdao
Changli, Qinhuangdao, Hebei, 066600, China
