Free Latismus Dorsi Muscle Flap with a Flow-Through Technique for Lower Limb Salvage |
Wael M. Ayad, Abdelnaser Hamdi Mohammed, Hany M. Ismail, Mohamed Osama Ouf, Amr M. Elbatawy |
Department of Plastic and Burn Surgery, Al Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt. Amrelbatawy@azhar.edu.eg |
Received: 25 July 2018 • Revised: 6 January 2019 • Accepted: 12 March 2019 |
Abstract |
Purpose The lower limb injuries still one of the devastating problems in surgical practice. Complex defects may affect one major vessel that supplies the distal portion of the leg and foot. The use of the flow-through technique is a very useful tool for sure vascularization of the flap and revascularization of the distal limb at the same time. The aim of this study was to evaluate the advantages of the use of the flow-through technique for lower limb reconstruction.
Methods This retrospective study was including 15 patients complaining of post-traumatic leg and/or foot defects. Free latissimus muscle transfer with the flow-through technique was done for lower limb reconstruction. The subscapular artery was anastomosed to the proximal segment of the limb vessel and the circumflex scapular artery anastomosed to the distal segment of the limb vessel. Follow-up was for six months.
Results Patients were followed for 6 months. All flaps were survived and there were no anastomotic complications.
Conclusion The use of the flow-through technique is a very useful tool for vascularization of the flap and revascularization of the distal limb at the same time. |
Key Words:
Free tissue transfer flaps, Lower limb, Reconstructive surgical procedure, Microsurgical free flap |
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