• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.583-590
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• 2009

Purpose: In the cases of a vascular compromised condition in an injured lower extremity, soft tissue coverage with free tissue transfer presents a challenging problem to the reconstructive surgeon. For this reason, cross - leg flaps are still used in unusual circumstances. Advances in surgical technique has made the cross - leg free flap possible although it may require long operation time along with significant donor site morbidity. Therefore, a pedicled cross - leg muscle flap may be an alternative treatment modality when local flap or free flap is not possible. Methods: Twelve patients(9 males and 3 females) underwent the operation between October of 2001 and December of 2008. The patients' age ranged from 6 to 82 years. The unusual defects included the regions such as the knee, popliteal fossa, distal third of the tibia, dorsal foot, and the heel. Indications for the cross - leg gastrocnemius flap are inadequate recipient vessels for free flap(in eight cases), extensive soft tissue injuries(in three cases) and free flap failure(in one case). The muscle flap was elevated from contralateral leg and transferred to the soft tissue defect on the lower leg while both legs were immobilized with two connected external fixator systems. Delay procedure was performed 2 weeks postoperatively, and detachment was done after the establishment of the adequate circulation. The average period from the initial flap surgery to detachment was 32 days (3 to 6 weeks). Mean follow - up period was 4 years. Results: Stable coverage was achieved in all twelve patients without any flap complications. Donor site had minimal scarring without any functional and cosmetic problems. No severe complications such as deep vein thrombosis or flap necrosis were noted although mild to moderate contracture of the knee and ankle joint developed due to external fixation requiring 3 to 4 weeks of physical treatment. All patients were able to walk without crutches 3 months postoperatively. Conclusion: Although pedicled cross - leg flaps may not substitute free flap surgery, it may be an alternative method of treatment when free flap is not feasible. Using this modification of the gastrocnemius flap we managed to close successfully soft tissue defects in twelve patients without using free tissue transfers.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.134-140
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• 2005

Purpose: We evaluated the effectiveness of temporary using the extendible external fixator (EF) for lengthening of soft tissue that contracture caused by tumor prosthesis removal in the treatment of complications after limb salvage surgery like deep infection and loosening. Materials and Methods: Five patients six cases were included who underwent extendible EF (Dyna-extor(r)). EF was applied after insertion of half pin to the proximal and distal bone of defect area. EF lengthening started at third day of post-operation, above 2-3 mm per day in the range of no neurological sign. Results: The treatment area was three in femur and two in tibia. Mean age when the time of EF apply was 22.2 years old (range 15-29), but its primary limb salvage operation had done in 13.4 years old (range 9-19), therefore mean times of interval between initial tumor prosthesis reconstruction and temporary EF apply was 8.8 years (range 3-14). One patient had EF for 150 days with 7.2 cm lengthening. Others 5 cases of 4 patients had EF for mean 37 days (range 25-50) and mean soft tissue lengthening was 5.8 cm. Three patients underwent re-insertion of tumor prosthesis and two patients underwent knee fusion as final operation and showed no evidence of infection through mean 22 months follow up period. Conclusion: Temporary using of extendible EF is an effective method for correction of leg shortening which occurred by soft tissue contracture in the complications of limb salvage operation or their treatment process, and it could be provide easily application of tumor prosthesis and knee fusion as final operation.