The Coverage of Soft-Tissue Defects Around the Foot and Ankle Using Free or Local Flaps: A Comparative Cohort Study.

[BACKGROUND] The purpose of this study was to compare the reconstructive outcomes of soft-tissue defects around foot and ankle with local or free flaps and attempt to provide an optimal strategy for these patients in comparison with the conventional guidelines.

[METHODS] A retrospective review of all continuous patients with foot and ankle reconstruction using different flaps from 2010 to 2018 was performed. Based on the flap types, the patients were divided into 2 groups: local flap group and free flap group. Outcomes were assessed according to the flap survival rate, recipient complications, aesthetic outcomes, and donor-site complications.

[RESULT] A total of 130 flaps including 47 free flaps and 83 local flaps were collected. There was no difference in flap survival rate between the 2 groups; however, a significant difference in aesthetic outcomes was noted between them: the free flap group presented a better overall aesthetic outcomes in comparison with the local flap group in terms of color and contour match. Moreover, local flaps had more donor-site morbidities including the need for skin grafting and wound infection.

[CONCLUSIONS] Free flaps in wound coverage of foot and ankle can achieve better outcomes than local flaps in terms of recipient benefits and donor-site compromise with a comparable flap survival rate.