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Reconstruction of a large upper tibial wound extending to the knee with a free latissimus dorsi flap: Optimizing the outcomes
Author(s) -
Liau James E.,
Pu Lee L. Q.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
microsurgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.031
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1098-2752
pISSN - 0738-1085
DOI - 10.1002/micr.20402
Subject(s) - medicine , microsurgery , surgery , free flap , soft tissue , debulking , suction , latissimus dorsi muscle , cancer , mechanical engineering , ovarian cancer , engineering
Despite recent advances in free tissue transfer, management of a large upper tibial wound extending to the knee can be challenging for reconstructive surgeons. In this report, we present two cases where a free latissimus dorsi flap was used for successful soft‐tissue coverage of the wound for limb salvage with optimal reconstructive outcomes. Our unique recipient vessel selection allows more effective free‐tissue transfer without using a vein graft. Our preferred flap inset technique with multiple interrupted horizontal mattress sutures over a closed suction drain leads to an improvement of the initial contour of soft‐tissue coverage that may contribute to the final optimized outcome in the lower‐extremity reconstruction with or without a further debulking procedure. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery, 2007.