Background and objective.

Background and objective. The distally based superficial sural artery flap has been used for lower limb reconstruction for long time. The blood supply for this flap has been studied for many authors.

We present our casuistry showing that this flap can survive excluding the sural nerve from its composition and therefore preserve the sensitivity of the distal postero-lateral third of the leg and the lateral border of the foot, also preserving its undamaged irrigation.

Methods.

We have operated on 40 patients since 1998 to 2019, 35 men and 5 female, age ranged from 20 to 55 years old, using a superficial distally based sural flap, excluding the sural nerve. The pinch and the pin prick test were done in all patients.

Results.

In spite of excluding the sural nerve, the arterial blood supply to the flap was not compromised. There were 2 distal partial necrosis healed with flap advance and or split thickness skin graft. Edema was presented in 3 patients disappearing with limb elevation and light dressing. Cellulitis was presented in 4 patients and disappeared with antibiotics. Cutaneous sensitivity in the posterior and lateral distal third portion of the leg and in the edge of the foot was unalterable.

Conclusions.

In our clinical cases, the arterial blood supply to the distally based sural flap is not compromised with the exclusion of the sural nerve. The clinic and neurography show the patency of the sensation in the skin of the lateral and posterior part of the distal third of the leg and the lateral aspects of the foot.

These findings allow to exclude the sural nerve from the flap insuring the blood supply and avoiding the possible pressure sores when the workers use their security shoes.

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