Osteocutaneous superficial circumflex iliac perforator flap for the lower extremity bone and soft tissue reconstruction with perforator-to-perforator anastomosis after radical debridement of tibia osteomyelitis: A case report

Abstract

Reconstruction of soft tissue and bone defects in tibia chronic osteomyelitis is challenging and often managed by free flap with bone graft. However, the use of osteocutaneous free flap combined with perforator-to-perforator anastomosis has not been reported. We report the case of a 62-year-old man presenting with soft tissue and bone defects with right tibial chronic osteomyelitis, which was successfully treated with an osteocutaneous superficial circumflex iliac perforator (SCIP) flap with perforator-to-perforator anastomosis. After radical debridement and excision of the sequestrum, a 17 × 10-cm skin defect and a 4 × 3-cm bone defect remained. An osteocutaneous SCIP flap, containing a 16 × 9-cm skin paddle and 4 × 2-cm iliac bone, was transferred and anastomosed to the posterior tibial perforator in an end-to-end fashion. An artificial dermis was placed to cover the soft tissue. At 1 week postoperatively, the artificial dermis was partially infected, which required small debridement. Full weight-bearing was permitted 5 weeks postoperatively, and the patient walked independently. No evidence of recurrence of osteomyelitis or skin ulcers was observed at 15 months postoperatively. Therefore, osteocutaneous SCIP flap with perforator-to-perforator anastomosis may be a potential alternative treatment for soft tissue and bone defects after radical debridement of tibia osteomyelitis.