OBJECTIVETo study the clinical application of the neurovascular island flap of the calf supported by perforating branches of peroneal artery for the soft tissue defects of ankle and the foot.

METHODSThe flaps were used in 27 cases to repair the soft tissue defects of ankle and the lower leg from February 2004 to December 2007. Among them, 21 cases were male and 6 cases were female, ranging in age from 7 months to 64 years, with an average of 31.5 years. There were 7 cases with external malleolus, 5 cases with medial malleolus, 8 cases with dorsum of foot, 7 cases with achilles tendon. The range of soft tissue defects was from 2.5 cm x 3.5 cm to 10 cm x 24 cm and the range of flap was from 3 cm x 4 cm to 12 cm x 26.5 cm.

RESULTSSeven cases were lightly swelling and distension after operation from 3 to 7 days. After 7 days, the swelling subsidised gradually and all flaps survived. In the follow-up for 3-12 months with an average of 5 months, all flaps showed fine appearance without fat and clumsy. The function of donor site was very well.

CONCLUSIONThe neurovascular island flap of the calf supported by perforating branches of peroneal artery can provide reliable blood supply, long reversed distance and wide repairing limitation and the proximal end of flap can reach to popliteal fossa. It is a good method to repair the defects of the lower leg and the foot.