Scandinavian Journal of Surgery 92: 156–159, 2003

Pedicled Gastrocnemius Flap In Complicated Total Knee Arthroplasty

A. Papp, J. Kettunen, H. Miettinen
Knee

Background and Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of complicated total knee arthroplasty operations treated with radical wound revision and a pedicled gastrocnemius muscle flap. Material and Methods: Retrospective analysis in a university hospital during a fiveyear-period.

Results: Wound revision, debridement of the knee joint, replacing tibial plastics and a unilateral pedicled gastrocnemius muscle flap operation was performed to 10 patients after complicated total knee arthroplasty. After a median follow up time of 11.5 months 8/10 total knee arthroplasty joints were saved.

Conclusions: As much as 80 % of patients could save their knee joint with this treatment protocol. Treatment of this problem needs good collaboration with orthopaedic and plastic surgeons.


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