Postoperative Protocols for Lower Extremity Free Flap Reconstructions: Literature Review and a National Survey of the United Kingdom's Major Trauma Centers

Abstract

Background Evidence for postoperative care of lower extremity free flap reconstruction (LEFF) varies and is yet to be standardized, despite established guidelines by the British Orthopedic Association Standard for Trauma (BOAST-4). This study assesses postoperative protocols for LEFF clinical monitoring, warming, dangling, and compression in the United Kingdom's (UK) major trauma centers (MTCs).

Keywords

• lower extremity
• free flap
• major trauma
• protocol