Closure of an ischial pressure sore using a free gastrocnemius musculocutaneous flap with a long venous pedicle.
The recurrent pressure sore in an active paraplegic can become a frustrating challenge as available simple flap options become depleted. The medial gastrocnemius musculocutaneous free flap is an alternative that offers the benefits of muscle from an expendable donor site and still preserves the remainder of the donor limb for future use. Inclusion of an intact greater saphenous vein could augment venous drainage and potentially might be the sole means of outflow if veins at the recipient site were inadequate. This case report describes the closure of a recurrent ischial pressure sore with a free medial gastrocnemius flap, including a greater saphenous vein pedicle.
Hallock
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Division of Plastic Surgery, Lehigh Valley Hospital, Allentown, Pennsylvania, USA.
D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000098:blood supply / Q000637:transplantation; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000150:complications; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D012008:Recurrence; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000637:transplantation; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000379:methods*