Crane principle of the cross-leg fasciocutaneous flap: aesthetically pleasing technique for damaged dorsum of foot.

Abstract

Crushing injuries, including electrical burns on the dorsum of the foot, result in extensive tissue loss and exposure of bone and tendon. Debridement and covering of the wound with richly vascularized tissue are necessary at an early date. Flaps for the dorsum of the foot should be thin and the donor tissue to be sacrificed should be minimal, with good aesthetic appearance of both donor and recipient sites. The "Crane principle" described by Millard [9] fulfills these criteria. Using a fasciocutaneous flap rather than a random pattern cutaneous flap may, however, increase flap survival rate without a delay procedure. It minimizes the inconvenience of strict immobilization, is resistant to infection and trauma, and reduces hospitalization. This article describes the use of the Crane principle in a cross-leg fasciocutaneous flap in 2 representative patients.