[Orthoplastic Knee Surgery: Interdisciplinary Treatment of Soft Tissue Defects in Knee Arthroplasty]

Complications following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) frequently require multiple revision surgeries and prolonged hospital stays. In this context, an interdisciplinary treatment strategy-particularly involving plastic surgery-is crucial for managing both existing and anticipated soft tissue defects to ensure optimal postoperative outcomes. Despite the clinical relevance, a notable lack of standardised, evidence-based guidelines remains for the management of such defects after knee arthroplasty. This review proposes a structured treatment algorithm to guide interdisciplinary orthoplastic management of complicated knee arthroplasties. Timely and close collaboration across disciplines is essential-not only from a functional and infectious disease perspective but also in terms of socioeconomic implications. Furthermore, patients should be referred early to interdisciplinary extremity boards and treated in specialised tertiary care centres equipped with the required expertise and infrastructure.