Survival of a Microvascular Muscle Flap Despite the Late Occlusion of the Inflow Artery in a Neuroischaemic Diabetic Foot

Abstract

A microsurgical free rectus abdominis flap was connected to a popliteodistal vascular reconstruction because of a limb-threatening ischaemic ulcer in an 84 year old diabetic patient. After six months the inflow vessel occluded, but the flap stayed viable, apparently receiving its nutrition through newly developed collaterals.

Key Words:

• angioneogenesis
• neuroischaemic ulcer
• microsurgical muscle transplantation
• occlusion of the inflow