Lateral gastrocnemius myocutaneous flap transposition to the midlateral femur: extending the arc of rotation

How to get the most out of your gastrocnemius and soleus flaps

Gastrocnemius and soleus flaps represent the workhorse local flaps to cover soft tissue defects of the proximal 1/3 and middle 1/3 of the leg, respectively. An important consideration before conducting a local flap is whether the flap can provide adequate coverage. The utility of the gastrocnemius flap can be increased using multiple techniques to increase the arc of rotation including the posterior midline approach, dissection at the pes anserinus and medial femoral condyle origin, scoring the fascia, and inclusion of a skin paddle. Concerning the soleus flap, the hemisoleus flap represents a technique to increase the arc of rotation. With a soleus flap, one must consider the soft tissue defect location, size, and perforator blood supply because these factors influence what soleus flap technique to use. This article discusses how to make the most out of gastrocnemius flaps and soleus flaps regarding maximizing coverage and ensuring successful flap outcome.

Modified lateral gastrocnemius myocutaneous flap with extended anterior and/or inferior boundary

There is little information regarding the boundaries of the lateral gastrocnemius myocutaneous (LGM) flap. The aim of this study was to introduce the modified technique of the LGM flap with extended anterior and/or inferior boundaries and its anatomical basis. Five fresh lower limb specimens were perfused and radiographed. Between December 2003 and August 2018, 27 modified LGM flaps with extended anterior and/or inferior boundaries were raised in 27 patients to reconstruct the soft tissue defects over the middle and upper leg, knee, and lower thigh. Both the lateral popliteal cutaneous artery and musculocutaneous perforators from the lateral sural artery had rich linked arteries communicating with the chain-linked arterial network around both the posterolateral intermuscular septum and the sural nerve, and they also had rich transverse communicating arteries connecting with the perifascial arterial network overlying the anterior compartment in the upper and middle calf. Continuous fascial arterial networks were extended up to the level at the intermalleolar line. Twenty-three flaps survived uneventfully, 2 flaps displayed distal de-epithelialization, and 2 flaps (7.41%) developed partial necrosis. Osteomyelitis was cured successfully in all patients, and no relapse of infection was encountered during the follow-up period. Multiple feeder arteries are the arterial anatomic basis of the modified LGM flap. The modified LGM flap with extended anterior and/or inferior boundaries is feasible, and the modified flap with extended anterior boundaries is safe and reliable.

The Reach of the Gastrocnemius Musculocutaneous Flap: How High Is High?

BACKGROUND

Gastrocnemius muscle and musculocutaneous flaps are very versatile and one of the commonly used flaps for lower extremity reconstruction. There is significant literature available on the use of these flaps. However, we feel that the potential of the gastrocnemius musculocutaneous (GMC) flaps has not yet been fully explored in terms of increasing their reach, viability and arc of rotation. An attempt is made to refine the technique of flap harvestation to optimize outcomes of this versatile flap.

METHODS

Six patients of complex lower limb defects were managed using the GMC flaps. Harvesting of the flap was always initiated from the posterior midline to include the proximal sural pedicle, sural nerve, short saphenous vein and the muscle belly of either the medial or the lateral gastrocnemius muscle along with the cutaneous paddle. All the flaps were islanded and denervated. The origin of the gastrocnemius muscle was detached in all cases to increase the reach of this flap.

RESULTS

The flap can reliably and comfortably cover defects from middle third-lower third junction of thigh and the entire posterior aspect of the thigh. Such a local option offers relatively simple but more cost-effective approach to complex clinical problem with tolerable impairment of the donor site.

CONCLUSION

The GMC flap can be considered as a worthwhile alternative to free-tissue transfer for limb salvage.