Skip Navigation
Skip to contents

J Trauma Inj : Journal of Trauma and Injury

OPEN ACCESS
SEARCH
Search

Articles

Page Path
HOME > J Korean Soc Traumatol > Volume 23(2); 2010 > Article
Reconstruction of Soft Tissue Defect with Free Flap in Pediatric Patients
Jin Woo Song, Joon Pio Hong
Journal of Trauma and Injury 2010;23(2):157-162
DOI: https://doi.org/
  • 1,120 Views
  • 4 Download
  • 0 Crossref
  • 0 Scopus
Department of Plastic and Reconstructie Surgery, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. joonphong@amc.seoul.kr
prev next

PURPOSE
Free flap reconstruction in the pediatric population is difficult. However, microsurgery has had remarkable success rates in children. The aim of study is to present our clinical experience using free flap for reconstruction of soft tissue defects in children and to describe long-term follow-up results.
METHODS
Between June 2002 and July 2010, 30 cases of pediatric reconstruction were performed with free flap. The authors analyzed several items, such as the kind of flap, associated complications, and growth problems.
RESULTS
Among the 30 cases, 21 cases were due to traffic accidents, 5 to cancer, and 4 to falls and other soft tissue defects. The lower leg and foot were the most common sites of the lesion. In the free flap operations we have done, 20 cases involved an anterolateral thigh perforator free flap, 6 a superficial circumflex iliac perforator free flap, and 4 an upper medial thigh perforator free flap. In early postoperative complications, partial necrosis was seen in 2 cases, infection in 1 case, and the hematoma in 1 case. A satisfactory success rate and functional results were achieved.
CONCLUSION
Free flap reconstruction in children allows satisfactory function with no significant effect on growth. Free flaps are regarded as the primary choice for selective pediatric reconstructive cases.

Comments on this article

DB Error: no such table