Objective:

To present a clinical series of medial sural artery perforator flaps, including a review of its applications, characteristics, and related complications.

Material and methods:

A retrospective study was conducted on 25 patients who underwent oral cavity and oropharynx reconstruction with medial sural artery perforator flap from 2010 to 2013 in the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department of the 12 de Octubre University Hospital (Madrid, Spain).

Results:

The ages ranged from 18 to 82 years (mean 56.6), with 14 males and 11 females.

Of the 25 harvested flaps, 15 were from the left lower limb and 10 from the right. The mean pedicle length was 11.21 cm (7-16 cm). There were 2 perforations in 8 cases, but with no evidence of perforations less than 8 cm away from the popliteal crease. The size of the skin paddle varied according to the defect, from 4 to 12 cm long and 2.5 to 6 cm wide, with a mean of 9.63 × 4.94.

Direct closure of the donor site was performed in all cases with no skin graft needed.

Two flap failures were reported.

Two patients had inflammation and partial dehiscence of the surgical wound in the lower limb, with good results after local and antibiotic treatment.

Conclusions:

The medial sural artery perforator flap is an excellent alternative in oral cavity and oropharynx reconstruction, providing great adaptability to the defect and minimal donor site morbidity.

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