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P ostoperative positioning of patients undergoing reconstruction of posterior leg and foot defects remains a significant challenge. Considerations include the necessity to elevate the lower extremity, relieve pressure, perform local wound care, and ensure patient comfort. Many solutions have been proposed in the literature including the maintenance of a prone position and the use of splints with bulky dressings to relieve pressure. In recent years, external fixation has become a popular option. Much of the literature describes modifications of the Hoffman apparatus and other external fixation devices utilizing multiple pins. 1–4 We present a method of lower extremity elevation utilizing a single tibial pin outside the zone of injury. A 30-year-old male patient suffered a degloving injury in his heel in an industrial accident. He was initially managed with debridement, replacement of the degloved tissue , and placement of a subatmospheric pressure dressing. During the same operation, a midshaft tibial unicortical pin was placed to facilitate patient management. The pin was placed approximately midshaft through the tibia (Fig. 1), with particular attention paid in balancing the leg. A pin placed too distally will cause a locked knee, and conversely a pin placed too proximally will not provide an adequate elevation and relief from venous congestion. 5 The pin was tethered to a bed box frame with an adjustable kerlix gauze (Fig. 2). The leg was then placed in a removable splint to ensure dorsiflexion of the ankle joint. The patient eventually underwent definitive closure with a vastus lateralis free flap. Strict leg elevation using this system was well tolerated by the patient, and he asked to keep the pin for several extra weeks after discharge because of the ease of using it to maneuver and elevate the leg during his rehabilitation. As reported in the literature, there are many benefits to suspending the reconstructed leg including eliminating pressure on the reconstruction and decreasing ve-nous congestion through reliable and constant elevation. This method also allowed for easy access during dressing changes and flap checks and required very little manipulation of the leg. We believe that our approach is unique from that of others in that it requires only placement of a single pin, and this pin is outside the zone of injury. Because a removable tether hangs the leg, physical therapists are easily able to remove the leg from suspension and help the patient perform dangling and other exercises. In summary, …

Suspension of Leg via a Single Tibial Pin Provides Postoperative Elevation and Pressure Off-loading for Lower Extremity Free Flaps