Objective To report the methods and clinical effect of the lateral crural flaps in repairing anterior tibal, dorsal and calcaneal softtissue defects. Methods From August 1999 to December 2004, 18cases of defects were repaired with lateral crural flap, including 15 cases of anterior tibal, dorsal and calcaneal softtissue defects with vascular pedicled island lateral crural flaps and 3 cases of dorsal pedal soft-tissue defects with free vascular lateral crural flaps.〖WTHZ〗Results All flaps survived after operation.Insufficient arterial supply of the flap occurred in 2 cases after operation, the pedicled incision sewing thread was removed and lidocain was injected around vascular pedicle, then the flap ischemia was released. Inadequate venous return and venous hyperemia occurred in 1 case because peroneal vein was injured duringoperation.The flap edge skin was cut and heparin was locally dripped for one week, the flap vascular cycle was resumed. All patients were followed up two months to one year, the flaps were not fat, and the elasticity was good. Conclusion It is safe and reliable to use lateral crural flap to repair anterior tibial, dorsal pedal and calcaneal soft-tissue defects.