[Covering losses of cutaneous substance of the leg and foot using skin flaps. Apropos of 76 cases].

Between 1983 and 1987, 76 flap grafts were performed in the leg and foot. In general, 3 types of flap were used: --51 ipsilateral flaps, the majority of which were musculo-cutaneous flaps from the medial head of gastrocnemius (17 cases). --17 cross-leg flaps from the opposite limb, the majority of which were medial fascio-cutaneous flaps (13 cases). --8 free flaps, making use of microsurgical techniques. The indications for cross-leg flaps and free flaps have become more limited in favour of local regional pedicle flaps. The lower part of the leg and amputation stumps in the foot are easily covered by distal leg pedicle flaps and amputation stumps of the upper third of the leg can be covered by a flap of fascia lata with a distal pedicle based on the superolateral branches of the peri-articular plexus of the knee.