Management of a traumatically avulsed skin-flap on the dorsum of the foot.
BACKGROUND
It is common for traumatologists to see avulsion injuries with resulting composite skin flaps. Simply reattaching the avulsed flap by suturing it back into its bed may result in ischemic necrosis of the distal portion of the flap.


METHODS
The authors present a case in which an extensive avulsion injury of the dorsum of the foot with amputation of the fourth and fifth toe was treated by defatting the avulsed flap and reattachment as a full-thickness graft. Healing was uneventful and no skin necrosis was encountered. At 1-year follow-up there was a stable skin situation at the dorsum of the foot. The patient has no difficulties with wearing shoes. However, there is diminished sensibility.


CONCLUSIONS
Indications for this type of surgical technique include all types of avulsion or degloving injuries that create composite skin flaps prone to undergo ischemic necrosis if simply reattached. This quick and easy method should be in the armamentarium of each surgeon possibly dealing with this type of injury.
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Leopold-Franzens University, Anichstrasse 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria. georg.huemer@uibk.ac.at
Georg M
GM
Huemer
Thomas
T
Schoeller
Karin M
KM
Dunst
Christian
C
Rainer
D000328:Adult; D000673:Amputation, Traumatic; D003646:Debridement; D018409:Foot Injuries / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009336:Necrosis; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D014034:Toes / Q000293:injuries