Neurosural fasciocutaneous cross-leg flaps for leg salvage surgery

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Complex traumatic injuries in legs frequently lead to dramatic soft tissue and bone defects in which use of local and regional flaps may be compromised. This situation constitutes a major challenge in leg reconstruction. Apart from free-tissue transfers, cross-leg flap fascio-cutaneous flaps have a potential to become an ultimate limb salvage procedure. We report two cases of use of fascio-cutaneous cross-leg flaps for extensive defects in legs. Refinements to avoid flap failure are described. A review literature is performed. Cases A child of 5-year-old and an adult of 26-year-old presenting extensive tissue loss of the leg were treated by cross-leg fascio cutaneous flaps. Apart from discomfort during the procedure, there was no undesirable event in the postoperative course. The flaps provided good tissue for further bone reconstruction. Conclusion: Although free-tissue transfer is the most used procedure nowadays, fasciocutaneous cross-leg flaps are found to be useful for limb salvage surgeries