Extremity
Reconstruction
Sometimes with traumatic injuries or after multiple surgeries, there can be a loss of skin and tissue to cover the vital structures in our limbs and a simple closure of the wound with stitches is no longer possible. In these situations, a plastic surgeon is often called upon to help bring in healthy tissues into the area to help restore both form and function. We can use a combination of local tissue, distant tissue, and skin grafting depending on what is needed.
There is a common misconception that plastic surgeons only do cosmetic surgery to make people pretty. While that is true of some plastic surgeons, many also perform reconstructive procedures that involve moving skin and tissues around the body in creative and skillful ways to help close these complex wounds.
Additional Information
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A flap is an area of skin, fat and intact blood vessels that are taken from one area of the body to be used in another for reconstruction.
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A skin graft, in particular a split-thickness skin graft, is a thin shaving of the top layers of skin that are removed from one area of the body (usually the top of the thigh) and transferred to an area of missing skin. This acts as a skin transplant and allows the transferred skin to grow and heal as if it was there the entire time. The area where the skin was taken will heal on its own as the skin layers will grow back on their own.
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The flap or reconstruction that is needed to close your wounds will greatly vary depending on the size of the wound, location on the extremity, and tissues that need to be covered. I can perform an array of flaps such as an anterolateral thigh flap (ALT), medial gastrocnemius flap, propeller flap, radial forearm flap and many others.
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After surgery, you will be asked to keep your leg elevated and wrapped in a compression wrap to help minimize swelling and to allow proper wound healing. Depending on the injury and type of reconstruction used, you may be prohibited from walking or bending the leg for a period of time.
Interested? Find out what’s next!
If you have recently or are currently undergoing treatment for an extremity cancer and/or trauma, and are interested in discussing reconstruction options, call Dr. Maiorino's office to schedule an initial consultation, or CLICK HERE to schedule now.
