Lower limb trauma happens daily in life and sometimes may be serious enough to jeopardize the limb’s integrity. Plastic surgeons very often cooperate with orthopedic surgeons to achieve reconstruction of extended and severe lower limb trauma after indoor and outdoor work accidents or road traffic accidents.
Reconstruction demands precise coordination between the two surgical specialties, in order the orthopedic surgeon to reduce temporarily or permanent any fractures and the plastic surgeon to close the wound. These procedures are performed under general anesthesia and both surgeons decide on the period of hospital stay.
The plastic surgeon may choose different reconstructive methods, according to the severity of trauma, the fracture site, the necessary orthopedic maneuvers and the condition of surrounding tissues. These methods may vary from a simple skin graft harvested from a healthy distant area of the body to a specially designed surgical flap where muscles and subcutaneous tissue are transferred from nearby areas to the traumatic region.
Lower limb trauma, especially those which are characterized as complicated, demand immediate and combined treatment to achieve the appropriate functional and aesthetic reconstruction.
