USE OF FOOT-BANK TISSUE TO COVER AMPUTATI ON STUMPS - 4 CASES

Purpose of the study The authors report 4 cases of plantar skin free t ransfer to cover an amputation stump. Material and methods In two case s, operated as emergencies, a flap based on the posterior tibial pedic le was harvested from a non-reimplantable extremity. In one case the c alcaneum was included in the flap to provide a stump wide enough to ho ld a prosthesis. The two others cases concerned planned amputation of non-functional extremities, with free transfer of the available planta r skin areas. Results All 4 patients healed well and the skin coverage provided a good quality stump which was rapidly equipped with prosthe ses, Discussion Covering amputation stumps with a free flap from the f oot bank has proven to be a reliable procedure, economic for the patie nt, affording a good physiologic bearing surface. Conclusion This meth od should be proposed in emergency amputations according to local cond itions, and may also be advantageous in some cases of secondary surger y.