Anchoring flap suture technique to repair a wound with exposed bone after hip disarticulation: a case report and brief review of the literature.

Abstract

Background: In specific clinical scenarios characterized by poor tissue conditions surrounding a wound, achieving stable flap fixation with standard sutures can be challenging. The anchoring flap suture technique, which is commonly used for soft tissue-to-bone attachment in cases of injury, may be an alternative and effective approach.

Case report: This report describes the successful application of the anchoring flap suture technique to repair a wound with exposed bone in a 39-year-old female patient. She presented with a 7% TBSA wound of the left trunk following hip disarticulation. After 4 operations, a wound with exposed iliac bone remained. Given the compromised condition of the tissues surrounding the exposed bone, the authors opted to anchor a local flap directly to the exposed bone. Steady flap fixation was achieved using the anchoring flap suture method, resulting in complete healing of that wound. Remarkably, no short- or long-term complications associated with the flap were observed. Three months after hospital discharge, the patient regained mobility, walking on 1 leg with the assistance of a 4-legged walker.

Conclusion: The anchoring flap suture technique seems to be a reliable and effective treatment option, particularly in cases in which inadequate soft tissue precludes the use of traditional flap fixation using standard sutures.