Simultaneous bilateral microvascular tissue transfer for soft-tissue defects of the lower extremities in pyoderma gangrenosum

Pyoderma gangrenosum is a necrotizing skin disease of unknown etiology. The lesions are painful and occur mostly on the lower extremities, either single or multiple, but can appear in any region of the body. The authors report a case of pyoderma gangrenosum involving bilateral skin lesions over the anterior surface of the legs in a 13-year-old male patient. The lesions presented with ulcerative colitis, which is one of the most commonly associated diseases of pyoderma gangrenosum. After examination, systemic immunosuppressive treatment was administered and the progression of the disease was controlled. The lesions were treated with the simultaneous application of two free anterolateral thigh fasciocutaneous flaps after radical debridement. The procedure was successfully performed and no recurrence was observed. Although microvascular free tissue transfer cannot be performed in a standard fashion in pyoderma gangrenosum cases because of the risk of pathergy response, it should be considered as a surgical option in selected cases, otherwise difficult to manage, with the simultaneous application of appropriate systemic medical treatment.