| Title | Free tissue transfer to a difficult wound of the lower extremity. | | Author(s) | Pu LL, Medalie DA, Rosenblum WJ, Lawrence SJ, Vasconez HC | | Institution | Division of Plastic and Orthopedic Surgery, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY 40536-0284, USA. lpu@uky.edu | | Source | Ann Plast Surg 2004 Sep; 53(3):222-8. | | MeSH | Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Amputation
Debridement
Female
Humans
Leg
Leg Injuries
Male
Middle Aged
Reconstructive Surgical Procedures
Salvage Therapy
Soft Tissue Injuries
Surgical Flaps
Treatment Outcome
| | Abstract | Amputation is still recommended to patients with a difficult wound of the lower extremity because limb salvage after free tissue transfer in these patients remains uncertain. During the past 3 years, the authors studied 15 patients (11 men, 4 women; age range, 17-71 years) with difficult wounds of the lower extremities who had free tissue transfers for limb salvage. Eleven patients had an extensive soft-tissue defect (nearly the entire length) of the legs or feet, and 4 had a composite-tissue defect of the legs or feet that required bony reconstruction. A total of 16 free tissue transfers (13 free muscle flaps, 2 osteomusculocutaneous flaps, and 1 adipofascial flap) were performed in 15 patients (1 patient had bilateral transfers). A saphenous vein loop or graft was used in 3 patients and a subsequent bone graft was done in 2 patients. Free tissue transfer was accomplished successfully in 14 patients (93%). Limb salvage was achieved ultimately in 12 patients (80%) who were able to ambulate during a 36-month follow-up. The authors believe that free tissue transfer for limb salvage in any patient with a difficult wound of the lower extremity is still a worthwhile procedure and should be attempted if possible. Meticulous preoperative preparation and intraoperative execution combined with the use of innovative microsurgical techniques are the keys for success. | | Language | eng | | Pub Type(s) | Journal Article
| | PubMed ID | 15480007 |
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