Lower limb trauma: a review of 40 cases treated at the regional burns and plastic surgery unit, Merseyside, England

This is a review of 40 patients with lower limb trauma that required reconstruction, treated at Mersey Regional Plastic Surgery and Burns Centre during the year 1989. 73% had bone involvement while there was soft tissue injury only, in 27%. Seven patients (18%) had the affected limb amputated. Of the rest, 6 were treated with skin grafts only, 13 with local flaps and 14 with free flap reconstruction. The soft tissue healing time was least in patients who had free flaps. The time taken by skin and bone to heal and the average duration of hospitalisation was also less in cases that had early management compared to those who had delayed and late treatment. Early reconstruction in severe lower limb trauma is desirable and cost effective.