The curative strategy of Gustilo type III fracture with soft tissue defect of leg in children

Abstract

Objective To observe the curative effect of Gustilo typeⅢ fracture with soft tissue defect of leg in children.Methods Of the 15 patients,the area of the soft tissue defect varied from 5 cm × 6 cm to 8 cm × 12 cm.With regard to the location of soft tissue defect,two were situated at the upper third of the leg,eight were middle part of the leg,four were lower portion of the leg and dorsum of foot,one was lower portion of the leg and heel.The fracture was fixed by external fixation device and raw surface was closed by negative pressure drainage in the first stage.The raw surface was eventually covered by the transposition of regional flap or cross leg flap in the second stage.Among them,three patients underwent transposition of saphenous neuro-veno-fasciocutaneous flap, three patients underwent sural neuro-veno-fasciocutaneous flap transposition,one case of medial head of gastrocnemius muscle flap and 7 cases of cross leg flap were performed,while only 1 patient underwent free lateral anterior thigh flap transposition. Results One patient who underwent transposition of saphenous neuro-veno-fasciocutaneous flap present with necrosis of the distal end of the flap 5 days after operation,which was then cured by cross leg saphenous neuro-veno-fasciocutaneous flap.Dark crust in distal end of flap occurred in 1 patient who underwent sural neuro-veno-fasciocutaneous flap,which was cured by changing dressings.Bone fracture of 14 patients were all healed.One patient who was classified as Gustilo Ⅲ c underwent cross leg flap, but bone defect was produced 18 months later.Through 3 months to 2 years follow-up,the texture,colour and shape of flap is good. Conclusion With regard to Gustilo type Ⅲ fracture combined with soft tissue defect of leg in children,external fixation coupled with flap transposition can cure effectively. Key words: Fracture of leg; Gustilo type Ⅲ ; Flap of leg; Transplantation; Children; Microsurgery