Free vascularized flaps for lower extremity reconstruction

Large wounds of the lower extremity, particularly distal to the knee, have been difficult to cover by traditional means such as skin grafts, local flaps, cross-leg flaps and jump flaps. These wounds, particularly when associated with fractures and osteomyelitis, have frequently resulted in amputation of the lower extremity. Microvascular surgical techniques have allowed the transfer of large flaps of skin and/or muscle from a remote site of the body to the defect in the leg for soft tissue coverage and additional blood supply to the defect. Although these techniques are more tedious and require longer operating times, they usually shorten the patient's hospital stay, heal the wounds faster and shorten disability time. With wider experience, improved techniques and greater microsurgical skill, lower limbs with large defects due to trauma or tumor resection can be salvaged and reconstructed with acceptable risks and minimal donor site morbidity.