Soft Tissue Reconstruction of Complex Infrainguinal Wounds Following Revisionary Vascular Surgery

Abstract

Background: Large, full-thickness infrainguinal wounds following revision revascularization procedures of the lower extremity are a challenging complication for reconstructive surgery. Frequently, these patients present with various comorbidities and after several previous reconstructive attempts. Therefore no straightforward soft tissue reconstruction is likely.

Methods: Patients who presented with large, complex inguinal wounds for soft tissue reconstruction were analyzed retrospectively in terms of flap choice, outcome, and complication rates. A focus was set on the reconstructive technique and a subgroup analysis was assessed.

Results: Nineteen patients (11 men, 8 women) who received 19 flaps (17 pedicled, 2 free flaps) were included in this retrospective study. Average patient age was 73.3 years (range: 53-88). Ten fasciocutaneous flaps (anterolateral thigh [ALT], 52.6%) and 9 muscle flaps (47.4%) were applied. Among muscle flaps, 3 pedicled gracilis flaps, 4 pedicled rectus abdominis flaps, and 2 free latissimus dorsi flaps were used. No flap losses were observed except 1 case of limited distal flap necrosis (gracilis group). Body mass index ranged from 19 to 37, mean 26.8. Mean surgery time in all patients was 165.9 min (range: 105-373). Revision surgery due to local wound healing problems averaged 1.6 in all patients. In all cases sufficient soft tissue reconstruction was achieved and bypasses were preserved. Lengths of stay averaged 27.2 days (range: 14-59). Mortality was considerably (10.5%) due to systemic complications (one patient died due to a heart attack 4 weeks postoperatively, another patient died due to an extensive pulmonary embolism 2 weeks postoperatively).

Conclusions: Soft tissue reconstruction of complex inguinal wounds after revision vascular surgery is challenging and wound healing problems are expectable. In addition to the rectus abdominis flap the pedicled ALT flap is feasible in a broad variety of medium to large wounds. Free flap reconstruction is recommended for very large defects. A structured interdisciplinary approach is required for the management of complex wounds after vascular surgery to prevent and to deal with complications and perioperative morbidity.