• Department of Microreconstructive Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi Xinjiang, 830011, P.R.China;
Aihemaitijiang·Yusufu, Email: Ahmatjang@163.com
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Objective To study the effectiveness of Keystone flap in the repair of soft tissue defect of lower extremity.Methods The clinical data of 27 cases with soft tissue defects of lower extremity treated by Keystone flap between January 2018 and June 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 18 males and 9 females, with an average age of 43.9 years (range, 8-63 years). The cause of soft tissue defects included skin tumor in 3 cases, ulcer in 2 cases, soft-tissue infection in 8 cases, trauma in 7 cases, and donor site defect after free or pedicled flap transplantation in 7 cases. Defect size ranged from 2.0 cm×1.5 cm to 15.0 cm×9.5 cm. The types of Keystone flaps included type Ⅰ in 2 cases, type Ⅱa in 16 cases, type Ⅱb in 1 case, type Ⅲ in 6 cases, and Moncrieff modified type in 2 cases. The area of flap ranged from 3.0 cm×1.5 cm to 20.0 cm×10.0 cm. The donor site was directly sutured (26 cases) or repaired with skin grafting (1 case).Results The operation time was 45-100 minutes, with an average of 67.5 minutes; the hospitalization stay was 3-12 days, with an average of 8.5 days. Postoperative incision dehiscence occurred in 1 case, and flap marginal necrosis occurred in 2 cases, all of which were completely healed after dressing change; 1 case of incision was swollen and congested with tension blisters, which resolved spontaneously at 7 days after operation. The other flaps and the skin grafting survived and healed successfully, the wounds of recipient and donor sites healed by first intention. The healing time was 2-3 weeks (mean, 2.2 weeks). No pain occurred in all patients. All 27 cases were followed up 3-26 months (mean, 11.5 months). No obvious scar contracture and bloated skin flap were found. The texture and color of the skin in the recipient area were similar to those of the surrounding tissues and feel existed.Conclusion The Keystone flap is a feasible and efficient way to repair soft tissue defect of lower extremity. Furthermore, the skin color and texture is similar to the surrounding tissue after healing.

Citation: Aerken·Juman, Maimaiaili·Yushan, Abulaiti·Abula, REN Peng, CHENG Erlin, Aihemaitijiang·Yusufu. Application of Keystone flap in the repair of soft tissue defect of lower extremity. Chinese Journal of Reparative and Reconstructive Surgery, 2021, 35(8): 1038-1042. doi: 10.7507/1002-1892.202103134 Copy

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