The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Vol 60, Issue 8 1055-1058, Copyright © 1978 by Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Inc
Free groin-flap transfer for skin defects associated with orthopaedic problems of the lower extremity
JC Garrett, HJ Buncke and ML Brownstein
Seventeen patients with full-thickness skin loss complicating orthopaedic
problems of the lower part of the leg and the foot underwent free
groin-flap transfer. Free flaps were used because more conventional means
of coverage had failed or were deemed inappropriate. Nine patients had
uncomplicated one-stage flap transfer. Three had peripheral necrosis but
required no further procedures. Five patients had superficial necrosis of
more than one-fourth of the flap, but split-thickness skin grafts applied
to the viable subdermal portion of the flap provided an adequate surface in
all but one of them. Necrosis was considered to be a result of anastomosis
to scarred recipient vessels or of unexplained vessel thrombosis. It may be
circumvented in part by the use of interposed vein grafts, or proximal
extension of the flap along the recipient vascular tree.