Reconstruction of soft tissue defects following total knee arthroplasty.
Soft tissue defects following total knee arthroplasty can represent serious problems for the patient and the surgeon. Perioperative soft tissue complications can result in loss of the prosthesis or limb. In this study, we present 17 cases with complex wounds following total knee arthroplasty who had surgery between May-1994 and July-2001. Patient-related factors, wound factors, surgical operation, secondary procedures, and duration of follow-up have been analysed for each patient. After local wound care and debridement, soft tissue defects have been covered with either a fasciocutaneous or gastrocnemius myocutaneous flap. All the knees (100%) have been salvaged although in 1 patient (6%) replacement of the prosthesis was necessary. In 5 patients (30%) secondary surgical procedures have been performed. Even though there is no consensus in the management of soft tissue defects following total knee arthroplasty, adequate wound care, including identification of infection, debridement, and early appropriate defect coverage should be the main points to consider.
Dokuz Eylul University, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Izmir, Turkey.
Adnan
A
Menderes
Cenk
C
Demirdover
Mustafa
M
Yilmaz
Haluk
H
Vayvada
Ali
A
Barutcu
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001168:Arthritis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology; D012086:Reoperation; D012307:Risk Factors; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology