title: Lower limb salvage to allow planned trans-tibial amputation.
abstract: Early, primary amputations are still necessary for certain patients sustaining high impact lower limb trauma. For cases with extensive proximal tibial bone loss a turn-up bone flap technique has been described to achieve a below-knee stump suitable for a prosthesis. However, in certain circumstances, for example if posterior soft tissues are injured, this type of reconstruction is not possible. This case report demonstrates that converting a severe open proximal tibial fracture to a successful below-knee amputation is also possible with acute limb shortening, flap cover and planned subsequent trans-tibial amputation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery, St James's University Hospital, Leeds, UK. david.watt@bradfordhospitals.nhs.uk
authors.forename: D A L
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Watt
authors.forename: M R W
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Grotz
authors.forename: P V
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: Giannoudis
authors.forename: S P J
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Kay
mesh_terms: D000671:Amputation, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D000672:Amputation Stumps; D006801:Humans; D023821:Limb Salvage / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000628:therapy; D013977:Tibia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome