Complications of muscle-flap transposition for traumatic defects of the leg

A careful study of 95 consecutive muscle-flap procedures performed on 71 patients with traumatic soft-tissue defects of the leg was carried out. Although there were only 5 cases of total muscle-flap necrosis, major and minor complications were found in 31 patients, requiring additional surgery for coverage. Technical errors resulted in partial split-thickness skin-graft loss or hematoma and were responsible for the 10 minor complications. Inadequate debridement of necrotic soft tissue and bone, the use of diseased or traumatized muscle, and unrealistic objectives for the muscle-flap coverage were the source of 21 major complications. We feel fewer complications would result with more careful preoperative evaluation and surgical planning, adequate debridement of bone and soft tissue, and the transfer of healthy, nontraumatized muscle.