Modified Medial Gastrocnemius Myocutaneous Flap Technique for Knee Joint Coverage after Total Knee Arthroplasty

Abstract

While there are many reasons the medial gastrocnemius flap is often the favored treatment for soft tissue defects around the knee area, this flap has some disadvantages. Reduced volume at the distal part of the flap and a short reach complicate provision of sufficient coverage for soft tissue defects superior to the patella and the lateral knee. In order to overcome these shortcomings, we modified the typical surgical technique by combining a medial gastrocnemius muscle flap and a medial sural artery perforator flap. This approach was applied to four patients who had developed deep infections and skin and soft tissue defects around the knee joint after total knee arthroplasty. The surgeries were successful. Dead space was well-filled and wounds healed without complications in all patients. This modified medial gastrocnemius myocutaneous flap provides a new option for treating challenging skin and soft tissue defects caused by deep infection after total knee arthroplasty.