Reconstruction of the lower limb with soleus muscle flaps and partial skin graft in patients with exposed fracture due to traffic accident, a case report

Abstract

Exposed fractures of the lower limbs due to traffic accidents are a challenge and are on the rise in our country. Cases are presented to us with closed or exposed injuries, often complicated by the need for surgical debridement, multiple dressings and flap coverage. Flaps with skin grafts, in addition to offering good coverage, provide blood supply, allowing for greater effectiveness in collaboration with medical treatments that prevent complications from infections. They also improve bone perfusion, collaborating with the scar repair process, thus saving the function and vitality of the affected limb. Here we describe the reconstruction of the lower limb in a patient with injuries in the upper third of the leg, with loss of covering tissue and comminuted exposed fractures of the tibia and fibula. The technique used in this case was the rotation of the soleus muscle flap with partial skin grafts, which allows functional preservation, repair of injuries and avoids amputation of the affected limb. Here we describe the reconstruction of the lower limb in a patient with injuries in the medium third of the leg, with loss of covering tissue and comminuted exposed fractures of the tibia and fibula. The technique used in this case was the rotation of the soleus muscle flap with partial skin grafts, which allows functional preservation, repair of injuries and avoids amputation of the affected limb.