[Procedures for repairing skin losses of the knee with joint exposure]

The authors analyse the various procedures for covering skin defects at the knee region exposing either the bones or the joint. Actually, various local flaps allowed in most cases coverage in this area using either a pedicular muscle flap or fasciocutaneous, or even an island flap. For every local flap, its vascularisation, its technique of elevation and its arc of rotation are described. Occasionally, free flaps or cross leg flaps have been used. Indications depended on the patient age, topographic size of the defect, time of covering in emergency or secondarily, trophicity of the surrounding soft-tissues and also the eventual associated vascular injuries.