To report the clinical effect of delayed sural neurocutaneous flap for the reconstruction of soft-tissue defect of the foot .

From January 2008 to January 2018, 36 patients (22 men and 12 women) with soft-tissue defect in the foot underwent reconstruction with a delayed sural neurocutaneous flap. They ranged in age from 26 to 82 years [mean of (50.5±20.4) years]. Soft-tissue defect size in the foot ranged from 16 cm×4.5 cm to 22 cm×15 cm. The delay period ranged from 8 to 12 days [mean of (9.7±2.4) days]. Temporary wound coverage was achieved by vacuum sealing drainage during the delay period. After the delayed flap was used to repair the wound of the recipient area, donor site was covered using split-thickness free skin grafts.

All the delayed flaps had survived completely. Two flaps developed small wound dehiscence, which spontaneously healed 2 weeks after surgery. In one case, the skin grafts in the donor area had small necrosis and were healed with free skin grafts. Follow-up period ranged from 1.5 to 4.5 years [mean of (3.5±1.4) years] postoperatively. All soft-tissue defects were successfully repaired with good color, texture, and contour of the flaps. Satisfactory clinical results were obtained in this series.

Delayed sural neurocutaneous flap for reconstruction of soft-tissue defect of the foot is safe, reliable, and particularly suitable for high-risk patients or harvesting a large flap.