title: Cross-leg flaps: our preferred alternative to free flaps in the treatment of complex traumatic lower extremity wounds.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cross-leg flaps are a good choice for reconstructing traumatized lower extremities, especially when free flaps cannot be used. In this article, we present our experience in the treatment of traumatic lower extremity wounds by using cross-leg flaps.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 56 patients suffering traumatic lower extremities were treated with cross-leg flaps. Patients with diabetes mellitus and those who were heavy smokers were also included in this study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most flaps survived without complications. Flap necrosis occurred in 2 cases. The hospital stay was 20.0 ± 6.2 days and the flaps were divided at 13.3 ± 2.8 days. The diabetes patients were mostly elderly, and they had longer hospital stays and duration for flap division. Follow-up was an average of 16.2 ± 8.2 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The cross-leg flap is an effective and simple method for treating traumatic lower extremity wounds. It should have priority over microsurgery, not just be an alternative to it.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Changzheng Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Lixuan
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Antang
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Lie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Xiaohai
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Hua
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jiang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006085:Graft Survival; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000601:surgery*; D007869:Leg Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D016896:Treatment Outcome