Salvage of a below-the-knee amputation with a fillet of foot free flap: a 15-year follow-up.
In the setting of traumatic injury, obtaining suitable coverage to salvage a below-the-knee amputation has been performed by using a variety of tissue flaps, including the fillet of foot free flap. This flap is a free tissue transfer that utilizes the soft tissues of the foot for stump coverage. In this report, we present a 15-year follow-up of a patient with a fillet of foot free flap to demonstrate its applicability and long-term efficacy. We also discuss technical aspects for performing this procedure. In this follow-up, we have found the flap to be extremely durable, even when placed in the weight-bearing position of the stump, and also lacking many of the usual complications associated with the weight-bearing portion (e.g., blisters, ulcerations). We conclude that the fillet of foot free flap is an excellent salvage flap for providing long-term length, coverage, and durability in an amputated, weight-bearing extremity.
Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of California at Los Angeles, USA.
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D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000293:Adolescent; D000673:Amputation, Traumatic; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007717:Knee / Q000601:surgery*; D007720:Knee Prosthesis; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous