Salvage of traumatic below-knee XXXX utilizing the filet of foot free flap: critical evaluation of six cases.

@entity1 @entity254 @entity11768
Over a 12-year period between 1979 and 1991, 27 @entity1 were operated on at the New York University Medical Center for salvage of below-knee @entity11768 utilizing free flaps. Six different donor sites were used. In 6 @entity1 , the amputated foot was the donor site for a free flap to cover the tibial stump. There were 3 males and 3 females in this group. Five of the @entity1 underwent immediate filet of foot reconstructions, while 1 @entity1 had a reconstruction performed 69 days after injury, electively, when it was determined that below-knee amputation was the best option. All foot flaps survived and ultimately provided the major soft-tissue coverage for the below-knee amputation stump. The length of hospitalization ranged from 24 to 118 days. The time required from foot filet procedure to ambulation was 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, and 12 months in the 6 @entity1 . Five of the 6 @entity1 have resumed work or school after their injury. Foot flaps were based on the posterior tibial artery, anterior tibial artery, or both vessels. Nerve @entity254 of the posterior tibial nerve was performed in 5 @entity1 . In 1 @entity1 it was possible to maintain the continuity of the posterior tibial nerve. Five of the 6 @entity1 were tested over a year after the flap, and all have good cold, pressure, and vibration sensation. Two of the 5 @entity1 have heat sensation, and all 5 @entity1 have at least protective pressure sensation. All the @entity1 ambulate well with a below-knee prosthesis.
