Cross-bridge transplantation of free latissimus dorsi muscular flap and free fibula for repair of complex tissue defect of lower legs / 中华创伤杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To introduce surgical repair methods of cross-bridge transplantation of free latissimus dorsi muscular flap and free fibula for complex lower leg defect and discuss its clinical feasibility.Methods The study included 12 patients with tibial defect larger than 8 cm (range,9-12 cm) combined with soft tissue defect of 17 cm × 12 cm to 20 cm × 18 cm treated from May 2008 to May 2012.Cross-bridge transplantation of free latissimus dorsi muscular flap and free fibula was performed at the first phase.The flap pedicled with subscapular vessel was anastomosed to posterior tibial artery and vein of normal lower leg.The flap pedicled with anterior serratus muscle of distal thoracodorsal artery was anastomosed to peroneal vessel of fibular flap.External fixators were used to immobilize the bilateral lower legs postoperatively.Results All patients were followed up for 13-32 months (mean 21 months).According to Enneking system,mean leg function was scored 23 points after tandem transplantation of free latissimus dorsi muscle and free fibula,with recovery rate of 77％.Conclusions Cross-bridge transplantation of free latissimus dorsi muscular flap and free fibula tackles the problem of recipient vessel limitation.Further,the technique is effective in repair of large area of complex defect in lower legs.