[Soft tissue reconstruction following total knee arthroplasty: treatment possibilities and retrospective analysis of plastic surgery therapy treatment possibilities].
OBJECTIVE
We performed a retrospective analysis of patients with soft tissue defects following total knee arthroplasty and therapy. Furthermore, we described the possibilities of covering soft tissue defects following knee arthroplasty.


METHODS
In 5 patients, soft tissue defects following knee arthroplasty were covered with medial M. gastrocneminus flaps. Localisation and size of the defect, microbiology, risk factors, and interval between arthroplasty and the occurrence of the soft tissue defect were retrospectively analysed.


RESULTS
On average, defects occurred 9 weeks after prosthesis implantation. In all cases, the soft tissue defect developed in the area of the incision. In 3 cases, wound infection was diagnosed. Four patients exhibited factors associated with wound-healing failure. No prosthesis was lost.


CONCLUSIONS
The gastrocneminus muscle flap provides good quality coverage with small donor site defect, permits early mobilisation, and allows for fast rehabilitation. The risk of flap loss is minimal. Early and adequate defect coverage can reduce both prosthesis loss and amputation rates.
Unglaub
F
F
Klinik für Plastische Chirurgie, Hand- und Verbrennungschirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Aachen. funglaub@ukaachen.de
Ulrich
D
D
Schneider
U
U
Pallua
N
N
D000368:Aged; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018461:Soft Tissue Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D013518:Surgery, Plastic / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome