Survival of a Gastrocnemius Flap after Delayed Pedicle Injury: A Case Report

摘要

We report the survival of a muscle flap after iatrogenic injury to the venous pedicle 3 years and 2 months after transfer. It reminds us of the risks involved in secondary procedures on flaps, adds weight to the growing argument favoring the ability of muscle flaps to achieve pedicle autonomy and raises questions about when and how this might occur. This phenomenon has not been previously described.A 35-year-old man was transferred from a regional hospital with wound breakdown 4 weeks after open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of a right compound tibial plateau fracture using a plate and screws (Figure 1). There had been three unsuccessful attempts at primary wound closure and intercurrent deep wound infection. The patient had a similar injury on the contralateral side that was closed. At the time of referral, the plates were covered.