Open Access Publication Tips and Techniques: A Modified Cross Leg Flap for Large Triangular Defects of the Foot and Ankle

An important technical modification in the conventional medial based cross leg flaps is described by the authors. The technique involves resurfacing large triangular defects in the medial lower leg, ankle and foot. This modification, by virtue of narrowing the pedicle, will help the surgeon to maximize the inset avoiding delaying of the flap or flap loss. Secondary defects created by raising the triangular flaps are amenable to considerable narrowing and leaving behind smaller defects that can easily be covered with a split thickness skin graft. Another advantage of the triangular flap is the primary inset portion of the flap provides more than 75-80 % coverage to the injury site. This not only promotes early division of the flap without delay, but also enables the surgeon to maximize the secondary inset during the division of the flap and to cover the recipient area completely with the flap obviating the need for the split skin graft at the crucial triangular area of the original defect.