Sequential propeller flaps in the treatment of posttraumatic soft tissue defects of the lower limb – A case series
Injury Feb 21, 2020
Franchi A, et al. - In view of the increased popularity of propeller flaps among reconstructive surgeons and no forever feasibility of using skin grafting of the donor area for directly closing the donor site of large propeller flaps, a well-known limitation of this technique, researchers here examined the utility of a second propeller flap harvested from a nearby region of relative skin redundancy to aid the donor site closure generated by the first. As direct suturing supports the closure of the donor defect of the second flap, the aim of this “sequential” propeller flaps technique is to obtain complete, like-with-like, soft tissue restoration while bypassing skin grafting. They assessed eight patients who presented with posttraumatic soft tissue defects and underwent reconstruction by means of the sequential propeller flaps technique, for a total of 16 propeller flaps, from April 2018 to September 2019. A complete, tension-free primary closure of all wounds was achieved in all but one patient, without complications; the functional recovery and the esthetic outcome were excellent. Outcomes suggest that the use of multiple propeller flaps delivered in sequence enables the surgeon to achieve complete, like-with-like wound closure with vascularized tissue avoiding a free tissue transfer procedure in some selected cases. However, vast experience with propeller flaps and meticulous preoperative planning are prerequisites.
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