REDUCING THE RISK OF VENOUS CONGESTION IN REVERSE SURAL ARTERY FLAP BY POSTOPERATIVE COMPRESSION BANDAGE TECHNIQUE

Abstract

Objective: To determine the role of postoperative compression dressing in reducing venous
congestion in reverse sural artery flap.
Methods: This study was carried out at the Burns and Plastic Surgery Unit at Hayatabad Medical
Complex, Peshawar. Study design was quasi experimental and duration of study was two years from
December 2019 to December 2021. The sample size was 32. Patients of both genders of age 15-50
years were included. Patients in whom reverse sural flap was done were observed for two weeks for
venous congestion. The collected data was organised and analysed.
Results: There were a total of 32 cases where the compression bandage technique was used. Mean
age of the patients was 32.5 years. All of the patients presented with wounds around the ankle and
dorsum of foot. Compression dressings were removed on the first follow-up visit to assess the flap.
There was no flap loss. There was no distal flap necrosis in any of the flap. No venous congestion
was observed in any of the flap.
Conclusion: Postoperative compression dressing technique was