Abstract :
Introduction: Early vascularized soft tissue closure has long been recognized to be essential in achieving eventual infection free union. The question of whether muscle or fasciocutaneous tissue is superior in terms of promoting fracture healing remains unresolved.
Aims: To study options of different flaps in compound lower limb trauma and to know the pattern of providing flap cover in our setup.
Materials and Methods: This was prospective observational study conducted in all the cases admitted under orthopaedics department who are hemodynamically stabilised, later referred to our department of plastic surgery for the flap cover. Isolated compound lower limb injuries with or without fractures were included in study.
Results : Among 45 cases one patient (2.2%) had defect in the thigh, two patients had defect around knee (6.6%), nine cases had defect in upper third leg (20%), thirteen patients had defect in middle third leg (28.8%), seventeen patients have defect in lower third leg (37.7%) and three patients had in the foot (6.6%). Cross leg flap were used in 11 cases (24.4%) Gastrocnemius myo-cutaneous flap were used in 9 cases (20%). Fascio-cutaneous flaps superiorly based were used in three cases (6.6%) and Inferiorly based Fasciocutaneous flaps were used in 6 cases (13.3%), Reverse sural artery flap were used in six cases (13.3%) and Lateral premalleolar flap were used in 8 cases (17.7) and Advancement flap done in one case over defect of the thigh (2.2%). In a case with defect over thigh (2.2%). Complications like total flap loss was noted in one case (2.2%) marginal necrosis noted in five cases (11.1%) and pin track infection in three cases (6.6%).
Conclusion: In Grade IIIB fractures external fixator was the choice of skeletal stabilisation. Delayed flap cover gave good results but it increases duration of hospital stay.
Keyword :
Open fracture, Flap cover, Delayed flap cover