title: Morbidity of the pedicled groin flap. A retrospective study of 44 cases.
abstract: Forty four pedicled groin flaps, raised between 1986 and 1990 for the coverage of soft tissue defects of the hand and forearm, were retrospectively evaluated. Thirty eight (86%) were emergencies, roller injuries with skin avulsion being the main mechanism of injury. Local complications such as partial flap necrosis, infection, and seroma, developed in 11 patients (25%). Subsequent defatting was required in 38 (86%) of the flaps and four patients (9%) had secondary revisions of the donor sites. The median duration of hospital stay was 26 days (range 8-81), and 12 patients (27%) were discharged from hospital before division of the pedicle. General complications, including pneumonia (n = 2) and pulmonary embolism (n = 1) developed in five patients (11%), four of whom were 55 years old or more. One patient died of a myocardial infarction 15 days postoperatively. Our results indicate that other methods for skin coverage should be chosen for patients older than 50 years.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hand Surgery, Malmö General Hospital, Sweden.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arner
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Möller
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005543:Forearm Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D006119:Groin; D006230:Hand Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods