USE OF SPLIT ANTERIOR TIBIAL MUSCLE FLAP IN TREATING AVULSION INJURY OF LEG ASSOCIATED WITH TIBIA EXPOSURE

Avulsion injury of the leg may result in exposure of the anterior surf ace of the tibia in addition to skin loss. This exposed bone should be covered by a soft tissue flap to facilitate healing and provide durab ility. The split anterior tibial muscle flap is ideal in this situatio n because of its adjacent location, reliability, and simplicity. A cad averic study demonstrated rich intramuscle vascular anastomoses betwee n the segmental branches from the anterior tibial artery that provide safety in partial transfer. The technique of split anterior tibial mus cle flap was applied successfully in 4 patients with leg avulsion inju ry associated with tibial bone exposure. The cosmetic result was good and the function of the muscle was preserved.