Use of the superior pedicled rectus abdominis flap to cover infected aortic grafts.

Replacement of aortic aneurysms by a prosthetic graft is a common procedure in vascular surgery. Although success is generally achieved, infection or fistula may occur. Prosthetic graft infection has been reported in between one and six percent in most large series and is one of the most dreaded complications of abdominal aorta surgery. Dissatisfaction with extraanatomic procedures has led to the development of techniques of in situ replacement by allogenic material. However, adequate debridement and coverage of the aortic graft is necessary. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the use of a rectus abdominis muscle flap to cover an aortic allograft when other reconstructive options were impossible.

Use of the medial adipofascial flap of the leg for coverage of full-thickness burns exposing the tibial crest.

Bone exposure constitutes a frequent and difficult problem in burn patients. Where free flaps remain indicated in tibial osteomyelitis, a pedicled fascial or adipofascial flap provides an excellent alternative for coverage of simple tibial crest exposure. In fact, the adipofascial tissue of the anteromedial aspect of the leg can be mobilized over the whole length of the tibia. It is vascularized by the saphenous artery and the posterior tibial artery perforators. This pattern of blood supply allows a wide range of use for any size of burn defect in this area. Therefore, this local pedicled flap provides an excellent solution for coverage of the exposed tibia after severe burns.