Advertisement for orthosearch.org.uk
You currently have no access to view or download this content. Please log in with your institutional or personal account if you should have access to through either of these
The Bone & Joint Journal Logo

Receive monthly Table of Contents alerts from The Bone & Joint Journal

Comprehensive article alerts can be set up and managed through your account settings

View my account settings

Trauma

Tendon transfer with a microvascular free flap for injured feet in children



Download PDF

Abstract

We reviewed 11 patients who had been treated between January 1986 and June 1994 for severe foot injuries by tendon transfer with microvascular free flaps.

Their mean age was 5.6 years (3 to 8). Five had simultaneous tendon transfer and a microvascular free flap and six had separate operations. The mean interval between the tendon transfer and the microvascular free flap was 5.8 months (2 to 15) and the mean time between the initial injury and the tendon transfer was 9.6 months (2 to 21). The anterior tibial tendon was split in five of six cases. The posterior tibial tendon was used three times and the extensor digitorum longus tendon twice.

The mean follow-up was 39.7 months (24 to 126). There were nine excellent and two good results. Postoperative complications included loosening of the transferred tendon (2), plantar flexion contracture (1) mild flat foot deformity (1) and hypertrophic scars (2).

We recommend tendon transfer with a microvascular free flap in children with foot injuries combined with nerve injury and extensive loss of skin, soft tissue and tendon.


Correspondence should be sent to Professor S. B. Hahn.

For access options please click here