Factor analysis and treatment strategies of post-operative soft-tissue defect in leg trauma / 中华显微外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To analyze risk factors for soft-tissue defects after surgery on leg trauma,to discuss methods for prevention of soft-tissue defects and its treatment.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 217 cases of soft-tissue defects with bone exposure and / or internal fixation exposure after surgery on leg trauma from January,1999 to December,2012.Soft-tissue defects with various flaps were used in 201 cases,including neurocutaneous flap(89 cases),random flap(21 cases),free flap(75 cases),cross-leg flap(16 cases),and by skin grafting in 16 cases.For the 117 internal plate-fixated fractures,96 removed the plate and 21 cases did not remove the plate.For the 13 intramedullary nail fixations,4 cases of intramedullary nails were removed,9 cases were not removed.For the 56 cases of external fixation of the fractures,39 patients had unadjusted external fixation,17 cases re-adjusted external fixations.Results Of the 217 cases of soft-tissue defect after surgery on legs,201 cases were conducted flap surgery.The flap was completely necrosis in one case,and partial distal necrosis were in 14 cases,of which 6 cases healed after changing the dressing,5 underwent debridement and skin grafting,3 cases underwent flap surgery again.In cases of fracture patients,177 cases healed within 1 year,delayed union 23 cases,nonunion eight cases.Nonunion healing after bone grafting and re-fixation surgery.In 9 cases of uncontrollable osteomyelitis,6 patients underwent bone removal and bone transport surgery,3 patients underwent amputation.Conclusion Soft-tissue defects after surgery on leg trauma is a serious complication whose prevalence is associated,in a certain degree,with incorrect surgical time and methods.It is crucial for early repair of soft-tissue defects by using various kinds of proper flaps whenever soft-tissue complication occurs.In patients with early stage internal fixation,flap surgery without internal fixation removing is feasible if little soft-tissue defect,little exposed internal fixation and mild infection,otherwise it is necessary to remove internal fixation and re-fix by external fixation before flap surgery.