Use of the anterolateral thigh free flap for the soft tissue coverage of Gustilo grade-IIIB open bone fractures in lower extremities

• DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.issn.1001-2036.2011.02.012
• Publication Date: 2011-04-25
• Authors: Dawei Zhang; Guangyue Zhao; Jun Li; Zhu Yong-gang; Jian Liu; Guoxian Pei
• Keywords: Single stage

Objective To investigate the clinical results of anterolateral thigh free flaps for soft tissue coverage Gustilo grade-Ⅲ B open bone fractures in lower extremities.Methods The were applied to treat 42 grade-11Ⅲ fractures.Ten performed through an emergency procedure.Sixteen at early stage and other 16 later .The therapy analyzed after long time follow up. Results All limbs salvaged all survived without protracted course obtain coverage.The up ranged 11 47 months.The healing bones significant prolonged group compared with group.In group,the incidences infection nonunion also higher than two groups,and second transplantation repair defect needed 76% patients this group.The limb functions treated worse those groups.Compared group,better could be obtained group. Conclusion Delayed resulted incidence complications.The immediate severely injured complicated by massive defects had advantages over traditional methods.Hard work though it was,one-stage using better function.

Key words: Anterolateral flap; Open fracture extremity; Microsugery