title: Soft Tissue Reconstruction and Flap Coverage for Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty.
abstract: Total knee arthroplasty is a successful operation for treatment of arthritis. However, devastating wound complications and infections can compromise the knee joint, particularly in revision situations.
  
  
  
  Soft tissue loss associated with poor wound healing and multiple operations can necessitate the need for reconstruction for wound closure and protection of the prosthesis.
  
  
  
  Coverage options range from simple closure methods to complex reconstruction, including delayed primary closure, healing by secondary intention, vacuum-assisted closure, skin grafting, local flap coverage, and distant microsurgical tissue transfer.
  
  
  
  Understanding the advantages and pitfalls of each reconstructive option helps to guide treatment and avoid repeated operations and potentially devastating consequences such as knee arthrodesis or amputation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois.
authors.forename: Allison J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic Surgery, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin.
authors.forename: Steven J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Kempton
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois.
authors.forename: Brandon J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Erickson
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois.
authors.forename: Brett R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Levine
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic Surgery, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin.
authors.forename: Venkat K
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Rao
mesh_terms: D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007717:Knee / Q000098:blood supply / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012086:Reoperation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply; D014945:Wound Healing; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy
keywords: flap; gastrocnemius; reconstruction; revision arthroplasty; total knee arthroplasty