Refining a Multidisciplinary "Vasculoplastic" Approach to Limb Salvage: An Institutional Review Examining 300 Lower Extremity Free Flaps.

Background: The use of free tissue transfer (FTT) is effective for treatment of chronic nonhealing lower extremity (LE) wounds, requiring collaboration across plastic, vascular, podiatric, orthopedic, and infectious disease disciplines for comprehensive treatment plans to optimize limb salvage. The authors describe their vasculopathic approach with 300 LE FTTs, comparing outcomes between the first 200 LE FTTs and the most recent 100 procedures performed.

Methods: A single-institution, retrospective review of 300 LE FTTs from July of 2011 to January of 2023 was performed. Patients were compared between the first 200 (group 1; July of 2011 through February of 2020) and last 100 flaps (group 2; February of 2020 through January of 2023) performed. Patient characteristics, preoperative management, intraoperative details, and outcomes were collected.

Results: Group 2 patients had significantly higher rates of diabetes (67.0% versus 48.5%; P = 0.002), peripheral vascular disease (56.0% versus 24.5%; P < 0.001), history of venous thromboembolism (13.0% versus 6.0%; P = 0.039), venous reflux (81.9% versus 67.8%; P = 0.028), and preoperative venous thromboses on venous testing (25.5% versus 10.5%; P = 0.003) compared with group 1. Group 2 patients underwent more pre-FTT endovascular interventions (23.0% versus 16.5%; P = 0.039) and vascular bypasses (4.0% versus 0.0%; P = 0.012). Immediate flap success and amputation rates were similar between the groups, but group 2 had higher rates of partial flap necrosis (7% versus 3%; P = 0.012).

Conclusion: The adoption of a vasculoplastic approach allows LE FTT to remain successful and achieve long-term limb salvage despite a highly comorbid population.

Clinical question/level of evidence: Therapeutic, IV.