Journal of medicine and life
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Introduction: The potential of the medial calf integument, as donor site for a free flap based on musculocutaneous branches of the medial sural artery, was first identified by Taylor and Daniel, following cadaver investigation. In 1981, Pontén described the fasciocutaneous sural flap as a reconstructive option for soft tissue loss of the lower extremity, particularly around the knee. Two years later, Donski and Fogdestram presented the distally based fasciocutaneous flap from the sural region followed by Montegut and Allen who considered the sural artery perforator flap as a viable alternative for the gastrocnemius myocutaneous flap. ⋯ Conclusions: The sural reverse flap is useful in the ankle and foot soft tissues reconstruction whenever we have reasons not to use a microsurgical free transfer. Venous congestion with consecutive partial or complete flap loss is a common complication, so this would not be recommended in patients with obvious acute or chronic venous stasis. The reverse sural island flap should no longer be regarded as a flap of secondary choice to free tissue transfer, but as an equally valuable alternative for small and midsized defects around the ankle and heel.
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Comparative Study
Comparison of health-seeking characteristics of German and Belgian university students.
Introduction. The aim of this study was to determine whether the use of primary health care differs between students enrolled in Belgian and German government-funded universities. The secondary aim of the study was to determine the factors that might explain such a difference. ⋯ Conclusion. Belgian university students were more likely to attend a primary care physician than the German students. The health care seemed to be better organized for Belgian students and they were more satisfied with the delivered care.