title: Soft tissue coverage of the elbow in a developing country.
abstract: Two cases that required soft tissue coverage to the anterior aspect of the elbow are presented. A fasciocutaneous intercostal perforator chest wall flap was used for one patient when only skin and fascia coverage was required. A latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap was used to provide soft tissue coverage and supply motor power for elbow flexion after contracture release in the other. The surgical techniques for each of these flaps are discussed in the context of addressing soft tissue traumatic injuries about the elbow in a developing country with limited resources.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation, Texas Tech University Health Sciences, El Paso, TX 79905, USA. miguel.cruz@ttuhsc.edu
authors.forename: Miguel A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Pirela-Cruz
authors.forename: Kartheek K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Reddy
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Higgs
mesh_terms: D002056:Burns / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D003286:Contracture / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D003906:Developing Countries; D004550:Elbow; D006166:Guatemala; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D013524:Surgical Flaps