What Surgical Techniques can be performed for lower limb reconstruction?

Skin grafts
 

A skin graft involves taking a healthy patch of skin from one area of the body, known as the donor site, and using it to cover another area where skin is missing or damaged.

Flap surgery

Flap reconstruction involves the transfer of a living piece of tissue from one part of the body to another, along with the blood vessel that keeps it alive. Unlike a skin graft, flaps carry their own blood supply, so can be used to repair more complex defects. Flap surgery can restore form and function to areas of the body that have lost skin, fat, muscle movement, and/or skeletal support. There are three main types of flap. These are:

C) Local or Regional flap

Uses a piece of skin and underlying tissue that lie near to the wound. The flap remains attached at one end so that it continues to be nourished by its original blood supply and is repositioned over the wounded area. This is a useful technique in low energy injuries. Examples of local flaps include propeller flaps and muscle flaps such as the Gastrocnemius flap used to cover knee wounds (See pictures).

B) Free flap/microsurgery

Free flap reconstruction also involves the transfer of living tissue from one part of the body to another, along with the blood vessel that keeps it alive. A free flap is entirely disconnected from its original blood supply and then reconnected using microsurgery in the recipient site. Muscle (Gracilis or LD) or Fasciocutaneous flaps (Commonly ALT flap) can be used to reconstruct defects in the lower limb. This is a common choice particularly in lower limb defects in the distal third.