Repair of complex wounds of limbs with free lobed perforator flaps

Abstract

To explore the effectiveness of free lobed perforator flaps in repairing of complex wounds of limbs. Between January 2018 and January 2021, 10 patients with complex wounds of limbs were admitted. There were 7 males and 3 females, aged from 32 to 64 years, with an average age of 45 years. There were 4 cases of traffic accident injuries, 3 cases of machine strangulation injuries, 1 case of machine crush injury, and 2 cases of heavy object crush injuries. There were 5 cases of upper limb wounds and 5 cases of lower limb wounds. The size of wounds ranged from 11 cm×10 cm to 25 cm×18 cm. The wounds were repaired with tri-lobed flaps of the descending branch of the lateral femoral circumflex artery in 7 cases, four-lobed flaps in 2 cases, and with tri-lobed flaps of the descending branch of the lateral femoral circumflex artery combined with oblique branch in 1 case. The size of flaps ranged from 12.0 cm×10.5 cm to 28.0 cm×12.0 cm. The donor sites were sutured directly in 9 cases and repaired with superficial iliac circumflex artery perforator flap in 1 case. Sinus formed at the edge of the flap in 1 patient, which healed after dressing change and drainage; other flaps survived well, and the wounds healed by first intention. The skin flap at donor site survived, and the incisions healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 6-24 months (mean, 11 months). All flaps had good appearance and function, and linear scars were left at the donor site without obvious complications. Free lobed perforator flap is an alternative method to repair complex wounds of limbs with high safety, good effectiveness, and less complications.