BackgroundThe goal of this study was to investigate the anatomy of the peroneal artery and its perforators, and to report the clinical results of reconstruction with peroneal artery perforator flaps.MethodsThe authors dissected 4 cadaver legs and investigated the distribution, course, origin, number, type, and length of the perforators. Peroneal artery perforator flap surgery was performed on 29 patients.ResultsWe identified 19 perforators in 4 legs. The mean number of perforators was 4.8 per leg, and the mean length was 4.8 cm. Five perforators were found proximally, 9 medially, and 5 distally. We found 12 true septocutaneous perforators and 7 musculocutaneous perforators. Four emerged from the posterior tibia artery, and 15 were from the peroneal artery. The peroneal artery perforator flap was used in 29 patients. Retrograde island peroneal flaps were used in 8 cases, anterograde island peroneal flaps in 5 cases, and free peroneal flaps in 16 cases. The mean age was 59.9 years, and the defect size ranged from 2.0 cm×4.5 cm to 8.0 cm×8.0 cm. All the flaps survived. Five flaps developed partial skin necrosis. In 2 cases, a split-thickness skin graft was performed, and the other 3 cases were treated without any additional procedures.ConclusionsThe peroneal artery perforator flap is a good alternative for the reconstruction of soft tissue defects, with a constant and reliable vascular pedicle, thin and pliable skin, and the possibility of creating a composite tissue flap.

Recently, rejuvenation of the aging hand has gained popularity. Various medical fillers have recently become popular, and patients have more options to rejuvenate their aging hands. However, in our country, unregulated material injections by unlicensed practitioners are still wide spread and its related complications have been considered as a serious problem. The aim of this retrospective study is to introduce our experiences regarding 17 cases of foreign body granuloma following hand rejuvenation using unregulated material. A retrospective review from December 2002 to October 2012 was performed. We analyzed data for 17 patients who underwent perilesional surgical excision for treatment of a foreign body granuloma of the hand associated with unregulated material injection by unlicensed practitioners. Injected materials include paraffin, silicone oil, and other unknown materials. Four patients were injected with paraffin, 3 patients with silicone oil, and remaining 10 patients with unknown materials. The main symptom was palpable mass and contour deformity. The patients were asked to rate their overall satisfaction following treatment. The average patient satisfaction score was 3.7. To prevent foreign body granuloma following unregulated medical practice, it is very important to inform the public about the disastrous consequence of unregulated material injections by unlicensed practitioners.

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