Use of a 72-cm-long extended bilateral deep inferior epigastric artery perforator free flap for reconstruction of a lower leg with no suitable recipient vessel around the injury zone: A case report.

Abstract

In free-flap reconstruction of the lower extremity, due either to trauma or pre-existing vascular disease, healthy vessels may not be readily available in the proximity of the defect. A variety of options including a cross-leg free flap, vein grafts, arteriovenous loops, and "bridging" flaps have been used to address the issue. The purpose of this report is to present a case in which a 72-cm long extended bilateral deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) free flap was used for coverage of a 20 × 25 cm soft tissue defect of the lower leg following a Gustilo grade IIIC fracture in a 29-year-old man. Because usable recipient vessels were far from the zone of injury, and to avoid complications accompanying long vein grafts, a long flap was necessary. The exposed tibia required coverage with a free flap, but peripheral portions of the defect with exposed muscles could be covered with a skin graft. Thus, a 72 × 12 cm flap was chosen. The flap was based on both bilateral DIEPs and on the superficial circumflex iliac artery (SCIA). The flap survived completely with no complications. After one debulking surgery, the flap and the donor site showed pleasing cosmesis, and the patient could walk without crutches at 18 months after the first surgery. In cases where no healthy recipient vessels can be found close to the defect, we believe that the use of an extended bilateral DIEP flap may be a feasible option which shortens or precludes vein grafts with no additional flap donor sites.