Contribution of local muscle flaps in the coverage of leg bone exposures at the KATI University Hospital

Tissue loss, whether or not associated with leg fractures, is a common problem, especially in resource-limited countries. The aim of this work was to evaluate the treatment of soft tissue substance loss with tibial exposure in the Orthopedics-Traumatology department of the Kati University Hospital. This was a retrospective study that looked at 68 substance losses from the soft tissues of the leg treated with muscle flaps from 2012 to 2021. The type and number of flaps removed depended on the location and extent of the loss of substance. The evolutionary aspects of the flaps were studied. Results were classified as good, fair, or poor according to a method based on modified d'Avila criteria. The mean age was 29.13 +/-13.67 years with extremes of 8 and 69 years. The sex ratio M/F was 6.5. Trauma was the main etiology. These were type IIIB open fractures of Gustillo and Anderson in 83.8%. During the coverings, the surgery was dirty in 93.6% of cases. Most of the flaps were removed after 6 weeks. The most commonly used flap was the soleus (60.3%). Healing was achieved without complications in 82.4% of cases. Total necrosis was the major complication (3 cases). In the late stage, no functional complaints were observed. According to modified criteria from d'Avila et al, overall results were good in 88.2%, average in 07.4% or poor in 04.4%. The management of tibial bone exposures is a challenge for surgeons. The use of local muscle flaps remains an alternative of choice in resource-limited countries. Keywords: Leg, muscle flaps, substance loss, CHU-Kati.