Innovative Synchronous Use of a Reverse Sural Flap and Reverse Hemisoleus Muscle Flap for Post-traumatic Lower Leg Reconstruction: A Case Report With a Long Term Follow-Up and a Quality of Life Assessment

We present a case report of a 47-year-old male with an extensive tissue deficiency of the right lower leg. The patient was hospitalized for approximately one month in the intensive care unit following a motorcycle accident that resulted in polytrauma. He suffered a fracture of frontal and parietal bones, traumatic brain injury, intracerebral hematoma with a subarachnoid hemorrhage and thoracic trauma. At first, lower leg wound was treated with a negative pressure wound therapy vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) dressing. Afterwards, he was qualified for a surgical wound closure with synchronous use of two reverse flow flaps: a reverse sural flap (RSF) and a reverse hemisoleus muscle flap (RHMF). Both flaps were dissected, and the RHMF was used to cover the exposed bone and the fracture site while the RSF closed the distal part of the wound. Split-thickness skin graft was meshed in scale of 1:1.5 and used to cover the RHMF and the remaining lower leg wounds. In the following days, uneventful wound healing was observed and the patient was discharged on day 34. The patient was invited for a follow-up examination two years after the procedure. His quality of life was assessed using SF-36 and Lower Extremity Functional Scale. It was determined to be satisfactory when compared to patients with identical injuries. Ultrasound examination of the gradient and blood flow velocity showed preserved graft perfusion and no structural abnormalities were detected. Adequate wound preparation and the choice of surgical technique allowed rapid healing and, above all, salvage of the limb that was at high risk of amputation.