Functional reconstruction of traumatic loss of flexors in forearm with gastrocnemius myocutaneous flap transfer

Abstract

Reconstruction of flexor function of forearm remains a challenge in the reconstructive surgery. With development of microsurgical techniques, reconstructive surgeons have been able to envision muscle transplantation for restoration of function and not simply for provision of soft tissue coverage. In this report, we present our experience in three patients of successful treatment of traumatic flexor loss in the forearm with the microsurgical medial gastrocnemius myocutaneous flap. At 18- to 24-months follow-up, the detected action potential (Latency and Amplity) in the transferred muscle was significantly improved in the EMG examination. The strength of the digital flexion reached to III degree in one case, IV degree in two cases. No complications were noted in the donor legs. We conclude that the microsurgical medial gastrocnemius myocutaneous flap transfer can be an ideal alternative for functional reconstruction of the forearm flexor muscle in three posttrauma patients.

A Murine Model of Volumetric Muscle Loss and a Regenerative Medicine Approach for Tissue Replacement

“…10,11 Therapeutic options for VML are very limited and include autologous tissue transfer, muscle transposition, or amputation with the implementation of prosthetic devices. These procedures, however, have yielded minimal success [12][13][14] and are associated with extensive donor site morbidity. 15,16 The lack of a reliable and easily reproducible animal model of VML has delayed the development of more effective treatment strategies.…”

Decellularized tissue and cell-derived extracellular matrices as scaffolds for orthopaedic tissue engineering

“…Functional free muscle transplantations have been reported in the forearm [159] and elbow [160], however they have not been successfully applied to weight-bearing muscles of the lower extremities. These procedures are associated with donor site morbidity resulting in functional loss and volume deficiency at the donor site.…”

A Standardized Rat Model of Volumetric Muscle Loss Injury for the Development of Tissue Engineering Therapies

“…Nonfunctional muscle flaps are routinely used to provide bony coverage, 8 and there are recent reports describing functional free muscle transplantation in the forearm, 9 elbow, 10 and lower extremities. 11 However, these highly technical procedures are associated with significant donor site morbidity, particularly in the case of large VML in the lower extremities, which relies on other large muscles as donor tissue.…”