FUNCTIONAL OUTCOME OF MEDIAL GASTROCNEMIUS MUSCLE PEDICLE FLAP FOR SOFT TISSUE RECONSTRUCTION AROUND THE KNEE AND PROXIMAL LEG

Background: Soft tissue coverage around the knee and a proximal third leg can be done using a medial Gastrocnemius Muscle Pedicle Flap (GMPF). There are variable results in the literature about its outcome and such study is lacking in our country. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the outcome of the medial GMPF to reconstruct the defect around the knee and proximal 3rd leg. Methods: It was a retrospective study of 21 cases of medial GMPF reconstruction to cover the defect around the knee and proximal third leg over 2 years in tertiary care hospital. The outcome variables measured were flap and graft take up, fracture union, knee range of motion, and complications. Data was analyzed using SPSS software version 20.0 with descriptive statistics for categorical and discrete variables. Results: The mean age of the patient was 37.19 years (range 21-65). Out of a total of 21 cases, 20 (95.2%) were traumatic wound defects, whereas 1 case was complications of necrotizing fasciitis. Flap and graft take-up was good in all the cases. The mean time for union of tibia fracture was 24.57 weeks (range 16-36). The mean knee range of motion was 125 degrees (range 90-145). Two cases had a superficial infection and one had a deep infection. Conclusions: Medial GMPF gives satisfactory results in soft tissue reconstruction about knee and proximal 3rd leg and it can be performed well by trained orthopedic surgeons also with consistently good results.