Minimally invasive medial gastrocnemius flap harvesting technique: A case report

Abstract

The gastrocnemius muscle flap remains a workhorse for lower extremity reconstruction. It provides ample vascularized tissue, is extremely reliable, and can be dissected with ease. However, conventional flap harvest requires additional incisions which increase morbidity. Endoscopic techniques have been described in the harvest of various muscle flaps but none have yet described an effective, minimally-invasive technique for medial gastrocnemius muscle harvest in a clinical case. We present a minimally invasive technique for the harvest of a medial gastrocnemius muscle flap without additional incision, thereby minimizing donor site morbidity and cosmetic deformity.