Cross-Leg as Salvage Procedure after Free Flaps Transfer Failure : A Case Report

Abstract EN

Posttraumatic wounds of the lower leg with soft tissue defects and exposed fractures are a reconstructive challenge due to the scarce availability of local tissues and recipient vessels.

Even when a free tissue transfer can be performed the risk of failure remains considerable.

When a free flap is contraindicated or after a free flap failure, the cross-leg flap is still nowadays a possible option.

We report a case of a male with a severe posttraumatic wound of the lower leg with exposed tibia fracture firstly treated with two consecutive latissimus dorsi muscular free flaps, failed for vascular thrombosis; the coverage was then achieved with a cross-leg flap with acceptable results.