Pedicled bridge transplantation for soft tissue defects at the contrallateral leg with medial leg skin flap and medial hemi-soleus muscle flap

Objective To evaluate the pedicled bridge transplantation with medial leg skin flap and medial hemi-soleus muscle flap for the treatment of soft tissue defects at the contrallateral leg. Methods Between January of 2012 and January of 2016, 8 patients with soft tissue defects at the leg were treated at Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Hand and Foot Surgery Hospital of Lanzhou. They were 5 men and 3 women, aged from 19 to 50 years (mean, 35 years). All of them were treated by bridge transplantation with medial leg skin flap and medial hemi-soleus muscle flap pedicled with posterior tibial artery. The size of the defects ranged from 10 cm×9 cm to 13 cm×8 cm. The immediate coverage of the muscle flaps and vessel pedicle was repaired by a meshed split-thickness skin graft. The donor site was closed directly. The therapeutic efficacy was assessed at the final follow-up according to the criteria by Iowa for tibial fractures. Results All the skin flaps and muscle flaps survived without any vascular crisis. One case developed necrosis of small skin graft at the distal muscle flap which spontaneously healed after dressing change for 2 weeks. Their follow-up ranged from 2.5 to 4.5 years (mean, 3.8 years). A good contour was confirmed at the recipient area. By the Iowa criteria at the final follow-up, 3 cases were excellent, 4 good and one fair. Conclusion Pedicled bridge transplantation with medial leg skin flap and medial hemi-soleus muscle flap is a good treatment for soft tissue defects at the contrallateral leg which has only one major blood vessel, reducing damage to the donor site. Key words: Leg injuries; Soft tissue injuries; Surgical Flaps; Muscle flap