Free Flap Salvage in Lower Extremity Reconstruction via Use of Contralateral Lower Extremity Recipient Vessels

Free Flap Salvage in Lower Extremity Reconstruction via Use of Contralateral Lower Extremity Recipient Vessels

Lower extremity trauma is extremely common and accounts for almost 15% of emergency room visits,1 with 492,000 tibia, fibula, and ankle fractures per year in the United States.2 Acute injuries are commonly managed primarily by orthopedic surgeons with fracture fixation or stabilization. In complex fractures involving the lower limb, as in Gustilo grade IIIB or IIIC fractures, limb salvage typic...

Gastrocnemius Muscle Flap and Its Application in Lower Extremity Reconstruction

gastrocnemius muscle flap and its application in lower extremity reconstruction

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Reintroducing the latissimus-rib free flap as a long bone substitute in the reconstruction of lower extremity injuries

  Abstract   The leg is a complex district with functions of weightbearing support, stability,   and motility. The management of extensive and complex defects is more challenging   and often results in leg amputation or shortening. Leg amputation is a severe   mutilation that alters the patient’s work and social life by limiting ambulation and   self-sufficiency. During a 3 years period we trea...

Lower Extremity Reconstruction

Figure 1. Lower extremity defect status post serial debridement. Exposed hardware can be seen. DESCRIPTION A 39-year-old male with an open wound of the left lower extremity complicated by exposed hardware following open reduction and internal fixation of a tibial plateau fracture.