Clinical case experience using microsurgical venous flaps for soft-tissue coverage of the lower extremity.
Numerous venous flap models have been experimentally introduced and clinically attempted in reconstruction of soft-tissue defects. The authors report experience in soft-tissue coverage with microsurgical saphenous venous flap transfers in five patients with lower-extremity wounds. Four of these flaps failed postoperatively. Unhealthy recipient beds and inflamed veins were potential causes for these flap failures. Easy dissection without sacrifice of the artery would seem to provide an ideal situation for venous flap utilization, but this rate of failure prohibits recommendation of this flap in large, traumatic wounds.
Zhu
Can
C
Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA.
Zhang
Feng
F
Lei
Man-Ping
MP
Oswald
Tanya
T
Lineaweaver
William C
WC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007869:Leg Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000637:transplantation*; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000601:surgery; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*