Emergency Free Flap Cover in Complex Injuries of the Lower Extremities

Abstract

Nineteen patients with complex injuries of the lower extremities were treated with emergency free flap reconstruction after radical débridement, bone stabilisation, and primary repair of injured structures (nerves, tendons, vessels, and muscles). Two patients sustained complete below knee amputation associated with avulsion of soft tissue and had salvage free flap transfer to preserve length of stump and function of knee joint. Long-term follow up ranged from four months to eight years (median 3.5 years). No flaps failed and there were no serious complications of wound healing. Procedures were associated with minimal morbidity, a reduced number of secondary operations, shorter hospital stay, and good functional results.

Key Words:

• emergency tissue transfer
• free flap
• lower limb trauma