Repairing skin and soft tissue defects of popliteal fossa with retrograde posterior temoral cutaneous neurovascular flaps

AIM:To investigate clinical value of retrograde posterior temoral cutaneous neurovascular flaps on repairing skin and soft tissue defects of popliteal fossa. METHODS:Six cases of skin and soft tissue defects of popliteal fossa,including 3 cases of burns,2 cases of trauma and 1 case of unstable scar were treated by using retrograde posterior temoral cutaneous neurovascular flaps with an area ranged from 7 cm×9 cm to 12 cm×15 cm. RESULTS:All cases were survived soundly. With 8-25 months follow-up all cases were obtained satisfactory results in appearance and function and no obvious deformities remain on posterior temoral. CONCLUSION:Retrograde posterior temoral cutaneous neurovascular flap with the advantage of adequate blood supply,concealed donor site,minimal invasive,simple manipulating and the avoidance of sacrificing the major artery is an effective and convenient method to repair skin and soft tissue defects of popliteal fossa.