Clinical study on the repair of complex wounds in the lower leg using free lateral femoral flap with blood supply from the medial gastrocnemius artery

Objective To investigate the surgical method and clinical outcome using the free anterolateral thigh flap with the medial gastrocnemius artery as the recipient artery for the repair of complex wounds in the lower leg.

Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 11 patients with complex wounds in the lower leg admitted to Suzhou Ruihua Orthopedic Hospital from October 2020 to September 2022. All patients had extensive skin and subcutaneous soft tissue defects in the lower leg and received free anterolateral thigh flap repair with the medial gastrocnemius artery as the recipient artery. The skin of donor site was directly sutured.

Results All 11 free skin flap survived in 11 patients, and both the donor and recipient sites healed in stage I. All patients were followed up after discharge, with a follow-up time of 12 to 35 months. The follow-up results at 12 months postoperatively showed good wound healing, good flap appearance and elasticity, restoration of normal knee and ankle joint function, and independent living ability. The donor site wounds healed well without significant scar hyperplasia. At the last follow-up, the flap sensory function was graded as S₃ in 2 patients and S₂ in 9 patients. The functional score of the affected limb was excellent in 5 patients and good in 6 patients, with an excellent and good rate of 100%.

Conclusion The medial gastrocnemius artery has a suitable vessel caliber for anastomosis and a constant location. The use of the free anterolateral thigh flap with this artery as the recipient artery for the repair of severe wounds in the lower leg can effectively cover soft tissue defects and avoid injuring the residual main vessels in the lower leg, resulting in satisfactory outcomes.