The selection of recipient vessels is crucial when reconstructing traumatized lower extremities using a free flap.When the dorsalis\npedis artery and/or posterior tibial artery cannot be palpated, we utilize computed tomography angiography to verify the site of\nvascular injury prior to performing free flap transfer. For vascular anastomosis, we fundamentally performend-to-side anastomosis\nor flow-through anastomosis to preserve the main arterial flow. In addition, in open fracture of the lower extremity, we utilize the\nanterolateral thigh flap for moderate soft tissue defects and the latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap for extensive soft tissue\ndefects.Thefree flaps used in these two techniques are long and include a large-caliber pedicle, and reconstruction can be performed\nwith either the anterior or posterior tibial artery. The preparation of recipient vessels is easier during the acute phase early after\ninjury, when there is no influence of scarring. A free flap allows flow-through anastomosis and is thus optimal for open fracture of\nthe lower extremity that requires simultaneous reconstruction of main vessel injury and soft tissue defect from the middle to distal\nthirds of the lower extremity.
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