An interdisciplinary approach to the prevention and treatment of groin wound complications after lower extremity revascularization.

BACKGROUND

If not effectively treated, groin wound infections following lower extremity revascularization (LER) may result in graft or limb loss.

METHODS

A retrospective review was performed of all patients who underwent muscle flap transposition by a single surgeon after LER between 2006 and 2010.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine muscle transposition flaps were performed in 24 patients (21 sartorius, 6 rectus femoris, and 2 gracilis). Nineteen were for treatment of groin wound infections, two for treatment of lymphocele, one for coverage of exposed graft in the setting of pyoderma gangrenosum, and seven for infection prophylaxis. Two graft losses followed flap placement. The limb loss rate was 4%. When performed for therapeutic purposes, graft salvage rates were 100% for autogenous and 92% for synthetic grafts.

CONCLUSIONS

Muscle transposition flaps are an effective means of graft salvage in the setting of groin wound complications following LER and should be considered for infection prophylaxis in high-risk patients.