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Transverse splitting of the gracilis muscle free flap: Maximal use of a single muscle
Author(s) -
Temmen Traci M.,
Perez Jaime,
Smith David J.
Publication year - 2011
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.20907
Subject(s) - gracilis muscle , medicine , free flap , anatomy , dissection (medical) , microsurgery , surgery
Abstract The gracilis muscle, based on the dominant pedicle, has been used extensively for free tissue transfer. Recent studies have described the constant anatomy, ease of dissection, and low donor‐site morbidity of the distal segmental gracilis free muscle flap. We present three cases of free distal segmental gracilis muscle transfer. In one case, the gracilis muscle was divided transversely into one proximally based and one distally based free flap and used for coverage of two separate wounds in a patient with bilateral open calcaneal fractures. In two cases, the preserved proximal gracilis was used as a reoperative free flap after failure of the initial distal segmental gracilis free muscle. With recent advances in microsurgery and ever‐growing demands for low donor‐site morbidity, it is important to ensure each free muscle flap harvested is used efficiently. Use of the free distal segmental gracilis muscle flap maximally uses one muscle while minimizing donor site morbidity and retaining the proximal muscle for future uses. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery, 2011.