Salvage of major amputation stumps of the lower extremity with latissimus dorsi free flaps

In some severe lower limb injuries, the level of bone trauma enables preservation of the knee joint or adequate length of the femoral stump only if the soft tissues can be reconstructed over the exposed bone. The options for soft-tissue reconstruction of an amputation stump are to use a flap from the amputated distal part, a local flap possibly after tissue expansion or a free flap. To preserve an adequate length of stump we reconstructed 10 stumps with latissimus dorsi free flaps: above the knee in one patient and below the knee in nine. The reconstructions were done during an acute post-traumatic phase in five and for late problems with the stump in four patients. In one patient the reconstruction was done nine weeks after a below-knee amputation for ischaemic necrosis after septicaemia. All flaps survived, but the venous anastomosis had to be revised in three patients in the early postoperative period. All patients regained adequate ambulation for their daily activities. The flap was secondarily debulked in three patients. Every effort should be made to preserve an adequate stump length, particularly in young patients with crushing injuries of the extremities and when there is severe or recurrent late stump ulceration. A latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous soft-tissue reconstruction is a reliable and durable option for stump defects.