Gracilis Myocutaneous Free Flap Transfer by Microsurgery: Report of 2 Cases / 대한정형외과학회잡지

ABSTRACT

Application of the Gracilis or Pectoralis Musculocutaneous Free Flap to restore finger fiexion after destruction of forearm flexors had been reported by a surgical team at the Six Peoples Hospital at Shanghi in 1976. Viability is maintained by microvascular anastomoses of the muscles artery and vein to a suitable artery and vein in the recipient site. Gracilis is suitable for obtaining the dynamic requirement of transplanted forarm flexors. We presented two cases of muscle transplantation using Gracilis Musculocutaneous Free Flap for the loss of function of the long flexors to digits due to Volkmanns ischemic contracture of which one was after supracondylar fracture and the other was infection after deep laceration on elbow. In both cases transplanted muscles survived but funtioning was well in one case and other case was not good due to the previous infection. In first case, excellent grip strength and nearly a full flexor finger movement was provided by transplanted muscles.