Abstract
We often use pedicled flaps for the reconstruction of extremities following resection of sarcoma and sometimes use free flaps. We compare pedicled-flap cases and free-flap ones by measuring the tumor size and defect size, among others. Thereafter, we discuss the indication of free flaps in these reconstructions.
Sixteen free flaps and 29 pedicled flaps were performed. The regions of free flaps included 5 legs and 5 thighs. The regions of pedicled flaps included 14 thighs and 7 upper arms. Free flaps included 11 latissimus dorsi flaps and 2 vascularized fibula flaps. Pedicled flaps included 12 gastrocnemius muscle flaps and 8 rectus abdominis muscle flaps. The diameters of bone sarcoma for free flaps were larger than for pedicled ones. The sizes of skin defects for free flaps were also larger than for pedicled ones.
The indications for free flaps could be inaccessible defects by pedicled flaps, major tissue defects, and the usage of vascularized fibula flaps, among others.
