[Posterolateral sural fasciocutaneous island flap with proximal aponeurotic pedicle. Anatomical study and use for cutaneous cover of the knee. Apropos of 9 clinical cases].

The authors propose an elaborate variant of the classical saphenous or lateral leg fascio-cutaneous flap with a proximal pedicle for the cover of post-traumatic skin defects of the knee. The original feature of this flap resides in the purely aponeurotic or adipo-fascial pedicle which increases the arc of rotation, while minimizing cutaneous sequelae of the donor site. Twenty four injected cadaveric dissections were used to define the neurovascular content of the lateral sural fascia: the lateral and medial superficial sural arteries and their territory of perfusion, accompanying veins and the short saphenous vein, as well as the lateral and medial sural cutaneous nerves. The technique of harvesting of the island flap is described. Nine patients were operated between 1991 and 1994, with an uncomplicated postoperative course in terms of flap vitality and donor site. The skin cover of the knee was considered to be of excellent quality, stable and sensitive, with a follow-up ranging from 6 months to 3 years four months.