Resurfacing complex knee and upper third leg defect with reverse vastus lateralis muscle flap in a flap exhausted leg - A case report

Abstract

Coverage of upper third leg and knee defects are complex and the main supply of pedicled flaps come from the uninjured leg. Hence planning of flaps from leg must be meticulous, because if these fail then reveres flow flaps from thigh or micro vascular surgery will become the only option. Both have their own set of complications and patients who cannot tolerate micro vascular surgery due to their prolonged duration, co morbidities, and severe atherosclerosis of vessels, end up as thigh flaps being the only resort. Thigh flaps come with a set of complications of their own and even these fail, with above knee amputation being the ultimate option, which patient hardly expects as end result with many stages of reconstruction already being done. It’s a nightmare for both surgeon and patient.