Posttraumatic Soft Tissue Coverage of the Lower Leg for the Orthopedic Surgeon

James A Blair; George A Puneky; Thomas E Dickerson; Hayden D Faith; Jana M Davis

doi:10.1016/j.ocl.2022.03.002

Posttraumatic Soft Tissue Coverage of the Lower Leg for the Orthopedic Surgeon

Orthop Clin North Am. 2022 Jul;53(3):297-310. doi: 10.1016/j.ocl.2022.03.002. Epub 2022 May 27.

Authors

James A Blair¹, George A Puneky², Thomas E Dickerson³, Hayden D Faith³, Jana M Davis⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, 1120 15th St., BA 3300, Augusta, GA 30912, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].
² Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, 1120 15th St., BA 3300, Augusta, GA 30912, USA.
³ Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, 1120 15th Street, Augusta, GA 30912, USA.
⁴ Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, 1120 15th St., BA 3300, Augusta, GA 30912, USA. Electronic address: https://twitter.com/janadavisMD.

PMID: 35725038
DOI: 10.1016/j.ocl.2022.03.002

Abstract

Soft tissue reconstructive techniques are powerful tools for the orthopedic surgeon caring for lower extremity trauma. This article seeks to inform orthopedic surgeons about useful techniques for skin closure, secondary wound closure techniques, and rotational flaps of the lower leg. Split thickness skin grafting, piecrusting, and the use of negative pressure wound therapy for skin closure, as well as rotational gastrocnemius, soleus, and reverse sural artery flaps are discussed with emphasis on techniques for the nonvascular and nonmicrovascular orthopedic surgeon.

Keywords: Gastrocnemius flap; Limb salvage; Rotational flap; Soleus flap; Sural flap.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Humans
Leg / surgery
Leg Injuries* / surgery
Lower Extremity / surgery
Orthopedic Surgeons*
Plastic Surgery Procedures* / methods
Soft Tissue Injuries* / surgery
Surgical Flaps / surgery
Treatment Outcome