J Korean Orthop Assoc.  1983 Jun;18(3):582-587. 10.4055/jkoa.1983.18.3.582.

Gracilis Myocutaneous Free Flap Transfer by Microsurgery: Report of 2 Cases

• Cho JL
• Lee KS
• Kim KH
• Kim HS

• KMID: 2446498
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4055/jkoa.1983.18.3.582

Abstract

Application of the Gracilis or Pectoralis Musculocutaneous Free Flap to restore finger fiexion after destruction of forearm flexors had been reported by a surgical team at the Six Peoples Hospital at Shanghi in 1976. Viability is maintained by microvascular anastomoses of the muscles artery and vein to a suitable artery and vein in the recipient site. Gracilis is suitable for obtaining the dynamic requirement of transplanted forarm flexors. We presented two cases of muscle transplantation using Gracilis Musculocutaneous Free Flap for the loss of function of the long flexors to digits due to Volkmanns ischemic contracture of which one was after supracondylar fracture and the other was infection after deep laceration on elbow. In both cases transplanted muscles survived but funtioning was well in one case and other case was not good due to the previous infection. In first case, excellent grip strength and nearly a full flexor finger movement was provided by transplanted muscles.

Keyword

Microsurgery; Forarm; Volkmanns ischemic contracture; Gracilis Muscle; Transplantation

MeSH Terms

Arteries
Elbow
Fingers
Forearm
Free Tissue Flaps*
Hand Strength
Ischemic Contracture
Lacerations
Microsurgery*
Muscles
Transplantation
Veins