Tendon Transfer with a Microvascular Free Flap in Ijured Foot of Children

건 이전술 및 유리피편 이식술을 이용한 소아 외상성 족부 손상의 재건

We peformed tendon transfer with a microvascular free flap for recovery of handicapped function and reconstruction for the skin and soft tissue loss. We review the clinical data of 11 children who underwent these operation due to injured foot by pedestrian accident from January, 1986 to June, 1994. The mean age of patients was 5.6 years old(3-8). Five cases underwent tendon transfer and microvascular free flap simultaneously. Another 6 cases underwent operations separately. The time interval between tendon trasnfer and microvascular free flap was average 5.6 months(2-15 months). The duration between initial trauma and tendon transfer was average 9.6 months(2-21 months). The anterior tibial tendon was used in 6 cases. Among these, the technique of splitting the anterior tibial tendon was used in 5 cases. The posterior tibial tendon was used in 3 cases and the extenosr digitorum longus tendon of the foot in 2 cases. Insertion sites of tendon transfer were the cuboid bone in 3 cases, the 3rd cuneiform bone in 3 cases, the 2nd cuneiform bone in 1 case, the base of 4th metatarsal bone in 1 case, and the remnant of the extensor hallucis longus in 3 cases. The duration of follow-up was average 29.9 months(12-102 months). The clinical results were analysed by Srinivian criteria. Nine cases were excellent and 2 cases were good. The postoperative complications were loosening of the tranferred tendon in 2 cases, plantar flexion contracture in 1 case, mild flat foot deformity in 1 case and hypertrophic scar in 2 cases. So we recommend the tendon transfer with a microvascular free flap in the case of injured foot of children combined with nerve injury and extensive loss of skin, soft tissue and tendon.