ABSTRACT

Obtaining adequate soft tissue coverage is one of the most important goals in the management of severe open injury of the lower limb. The primary goal of soft tissue coverage is satisfactory wound coverage with restoration of function. Aesthetic outcome often becomes a secondary concern. Many lower extremity trauma victims present with a paucity of soft tissue available for reconstruction. These conditions necessitate knowledge of the anatomy of the lower extremity as well as options for local soft tissue coverage, muscular rotational flaps, and free flap transfers.