Abstract
Forty four pedicled groin flaps, raised between 1986 and 1990 for the coverage of soft tissue defects of the hand and forearm, were retrospectively evaluated. Thirty eight (86%) were emergencies, roller injuries with skin avulsion being the main mechanism of injury. Local complications such as partial flap necrosis, infection, and seroma, developed in 11 patients (25%). Subsequent defatting was required in 38 (86%) of the flaps and four patients (9%) had secondary revisions of the donor sites. The median duration of hospital stay was 26 days (range 8–81), and 12 patients (27%) were discharged from hospital before division of the pedicle. General complications, including pneumonia (n = 2) and pulmonary embolism (n = 1) developed in five patients (11%), four of whom were 55 years old or more. One patient died of a myocardial infarction 15 days postoperatively. Our results indicate that other methods for skin coverage should be chosen for patients older than 50 years.
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