Objective:To investigate the feasibility of digital reconstruction technology in virtual planning of the free perforator flap of anterior tibial artery (ATA) for reconstruction of soft tissue defects in foot and ankle.Methods:From May 2018 to April 2023, 10 patients, including 7 males and 3 females, with foot or ankle defects were admitted in the Department of Orthopaedics Surgery, 920th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force. There were 5 defects in dorsal foot, 3 in plantar foot and 2 in medial malleolus. The sizes of defects ranged from 3.0 cm×2.5 cm to 5.5 cm×4.0 cm, all with exposed bones or tendons. Preoperative CTA scans from aorta abdominalis to feet were performed, and 3D digital models of bones, arteries and skin were reconstructed with Mimics. The most suitable perforators were selected to design the perforator flaps of ATA with the software, then the digital virtual flaps were superimposed onto the surfaces of donor sites and marked under a translucent image by Sina. During the surgery, flaps were harvested according to preoperative digital designs with the size of 3.5 cm×3.0 cm-6.0 cm×4.0 cm. The perforating branches were dissected along the way, and the origin, diameter, course, location and length of the perforators were recorded. The perforating branches of the flaps were anastomosed to the proximal vessels in the recipient sites, and the flaps were sutured to cover the wound. For the 10 donor sites, skin graft was used in 2 donor sites and direct suture were performed on 8 donor sites. After discharge of the patients, scheduled outpatient or online follow-ups were carried out to assess the progress of fracture healing as well as the appearance, texture and colour of flaps, and the recovery of donor sites. Ankle function was evaluated by Maryland foot scoring system.Results:Three-dimensional digital reconstructions of donor sites were successfully performed on all patients, enabling successful design and harvest of the free perforator flaps of ATA. The flaps were able to be used in complete reconstruction of the respective defects and made the anatomical parameters of perforators of the donor sites closely matching with those of preoperative modeling. Follow-up periods ranged from 6 to 19 months, apart from 1 flap experienced partial necrosis at distal endge, and another flap with partial exfoliation after blistering. The rest of 8 flaps were all survived smoothly, with appropriate thickness, aesthetic appearance, good texture and colour. Sensations in both donor sites and dorsal feet were all normal. Seven patients achieved excellent and 3 were good according to Maryland's ankle-foot function score. The donor sites healed well without scar hyperplasia.Conclusion:Digital reconstruction technology enables an accurate identification of perforators as well as individualised design and harvest procedures for perforator flaps of ATA, thereby it facilitates precise reconstructions of small-to-medium-sized defects in foot or ankle. It is a good method for vascular anatomy and flap harvesting.

Objective:To investigate the feasibility of digital reconstruction technology in virtual planning of the free perforator flap of anterior tibial artery (ATA) for reconstruction of soft tissue defects in foot and ankle.Methods:From May 2018 to April 2023, 10 patients, including 7 males and 3 females, with foot or ankle defects were admitted in the Department of Orthopaedics Surgery, 920th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force. There were 5 defects in dorsal foot, 3 in plantar foot and 2 in medial malleolus. The sizes of defects ranged from 3.0 cm×2.5 cm to 5.5 cm×4.0 cm, all with exposed bones or tendons. Preoperative CTA scans from aorta abdominalis to feet were performed, and 3D digital models of bones, arteries and skin were reconstructed with Mimics. The most suitable perforators were selected to design the perforator flaps of ATA with the software, then the digital virtual flaps were superimposed onto the surfaces of donor sites and marked under a translucent image by Sina. During the surgery, flaps were harvested according to preoperative digital designs with the size of 3.5 cm×3.0 cm-6.0 cm×4.0 cm. The perforating branches were dissected along the way, and the origin, diameter, course, location and length of the perforators were recorded. The perforating branches of the flaps were anastomosed to the proximal vessels in the recipient sites, and the flaps were sutured to cover the wound. For the 10 donor sites, skin graft was used in 2 donor sites and direct suture were performed on 8 donor sites. After discharge of the patients, scheduled outpatient or online follow-ups were carried out to assess the progress of fracture healing as well as the appearance, texture and colour of flaps, and the recovery of donor sites. Ankle function was evaluated by Maryland foot scoring system.Results:Three-dimensional digital reconstructions of donor sites were successfully performed on all patients, enabling successful design and harvest of the free perforator flaps of ATA. The flaps were able to be used in complete reconstruction of the respective defects and made the anatomical parameters of perforators of the donor sites closely matching with those of preoperative modeling. Follow-up periods ranged from 6 to 19 months, apart from 1 flap experienced partial necrosis at distal endge, and another flap with partial exfoliation after blistering. The rest of 8 flaps were all survived smoothly, with appropriate thickness, aesthetic appearance, good texture and colour. Sensations in both donor sites and dorsal feet were all normal. Seven patients achieved excellent and 3 were good according to Maryland's ankle-foot function score. The donor sites healed well without scar hyperplasia.Conclusion:Digital reconstruction technology enables an accurate identification of perforators as well as individualised design and harvest procedures for perforator flaps of ATA, thereby it facilitates precise reconstructions of small-to-medium-sized defects in foot or ankle. It is a good method for vascular anatomy and flap harvesting.