[Clinical application of the distal island muscle flap of the gastrocnemius muscle for repairing the defects around knee and within the upper 2/3 of lower leg].

OBJECTIVE

To summarize clinical application of the distal island muscle flap of the gastrocnemius muscle for repairing the defects around knee and within the upper 2/3 of lower leg.

METHODS

18 patients with defects around knee and within the upper 2/3 of lower leg, were treated with the distal island muscle flap of the gastrocnemius muscle, including 12 cases with medial muscle head and 6 cases with lateral muscle head. The muscular flaps were covered with meshed split-thickness skin grafts. The wound at donor sites were closed directly.

RESULTS

All the skin grafts and muscle flaps survived with superior infection at the wound edge in two cases. The patients were followed up for 8 months to 4.8 years with satisfactory cosmetic and functional results.

CONCLUSIONS

The distal island muscle flap of the gastrocnemius muscle has a reliable blood supply, long pedicle and suitable thickness. It is an ideal method for repairing the defects around knee and within the upper 2/3 of lower leg.