Medial Gastrocnemius Flap for Covering Tissue Defects Around the Knee
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Keywords

lower leg; medial gastrocnemius flap; open fracture; tissue defect.

How to Cite

Liabakh, A., Lazarenko, H., & Kulieva, O. (2020). Medial Gastrocnemius Flap for Covering Tissue Defects Around the Knee. TERRA ORTHOPAEDICA, (4(107), 28-34. https://doi.org/10.37647/0132-2486-2020-107-4-28-34

Abstract

Summary. Tissue defects of the anterior surface of the lower leg and the knee joint is a severe problem at the treatment of orthopedic patients.

Objective. Analysis of the results of using the medial gastrocnemius flap (MGF) in orthopedic patients; highlighting peculiarities of surgical technique.

Materials and Methods. 8 patients (10 cases) who underwent the transposition of the MGF. The age of the patients was 19–74 years (on average 40.5±5.7 years); there were 6 males and 2 females. The list of cases: open fractures – 2 cases, combat injury – 2 patients (3 cases), skin necrosis after osteosynthesis – 3 patients (4 cases), and skin necrosis after total knee replacement – 1 case. The results of treatment were assessed in terms 9 months – 10 years by the Lysholm scale.

Results. Autodermoplasty during MGF transposition was performed in two cases and after a few days in others. In cases with open fractures, the osteosynthesis and external fixators reassembly were done; conversion of osteosynthesis was performed one month after autodermoplasty. In cases of skin necrosis after osteosynthesis and total arthroplasty, the implants were never removed. Knee function according to the Lysholm scale ranged from 70 to 100 points (mean 88.2±3.3).

Conclusions. The transposition of the MGF for the replacement of tissue defects of the anterior surface of the lower leg and knee joint is an effective method in orthopedic surgery, which helps to solve the problem of infectious complications and to save the supporting-kinematic function of the lower extremity.

https://doi.org/10.37647/0132-2486-2020-107-4-28-34
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