Use of Propeller Flap in the Coverage of Soft-Tissue Injury in the Lower Limb

Abstract

Abstract Objective To evaluate the use of a propeller flap to cover soft-tissue injuries in the lower limb. Materials and Methods A retrospective study, with review of medical records, and a convenience sample of 14 patients operated between July 2018 and June 2019. The following clinical aspects were evaluated: sex; age group; type of injury; cause of the injury; initial diagnosis; affected location; techniques for incision and identification; surgical planning; flap design; postoperative period; result of the propeller flap; and complications. Results The sample was composed of male patients (100%), with a mean age of 36.4 years, and 92.7% of the injuries resulted from motorcycle accidents, mostly on the right side (71.4%). The surgical planning of the propeller flap followed the same procedure in all cases. Immediate postsurgical complications were present in 35.7% of the cases, and they included excessive bleeding (14.3%), partial necrosis (14.3%), and flap dehiscence (7.1%). In total, 13 patients had excellent coverage, and only 1 had flap loss. Conclusion The propeller-flap technique to cover lesions in the lower limb proved to be a good alternative in most cases evaluated, with a good surgical result, although complications were observed in some cases.

Keywords

• soft tissue injuries
• perforator flap
• lower extremity