An Effective Method to Access Recipient Vessels Outside the Zone of Injury in Free Flap Reconstruction of the Lower Extremity

Introduction A principle of microvascular surgery in lower extremity reconstruction is to identify recipient vessels and perform the anastomosis outside the zone of injury. Microsurgeons will often create an incision that extends from the wound several centimeters proximally to access the recipient vessels through healthy tissue. This iatrogenic wound, however, traverses the zone of injury and is susceptible to delayed healing and wound breakdown. These complications can be avoided by creating a unique incision proximal to the zone of injury through which the recipient vessels are dissected and the anastomosis performed. Methods In 13 consecutive patients with lower extremity wounds requiring free flap reconstruction, a remote incision was made in healthy tissue proximal to the defect to access the recipient vessels outside the zone of injury. The pedicle was tunneled in the subcutaneous plane from the wound to this site, and the anastomosis was performed. The flap was inset in the standard fashion, and the remote incision was closed in layers. Results There were 3 female and 10 male patients, and the median age was 65 years (18-85 years). Etiology of the wounds was traumatic (3 acute, 7 chronic), oncologic (2), and ischemic (1). Defects varied in size and were primarily located on the distal third of the extremity. Free flaps included radial forearm (4), anterolateral thigh (4), gracilis (2), vastus (1), latissimus dorsi (1), and parascapular (1). Postoperatively, there were no major complications related to the flap or any flap losses. There was 1 donor site hematoma requiring operative evacuation. There were no complications associated with the anastomotic incision. Conclusions Accessing the recipient vessels via a separate proximal incision in lower extremity free flap reconstruction allows excellent exposure outside the zone of injury, avoids wound healing problems, and protects the pedicle from injury in the setting of multiple-staged procedures.