Lateral Genicular Artery Flap for Reconstruction of a Large Knee Defect, Following Oncological Resection - Case Report.

This article presents the case of a 53 years old patient, with ulcerated and infected dermatofibrosarcoma, extended on the anterolateral side of the left knee. The postexcisional defect, exposing patella, was covered through a regional cutaneous flap of the distal third of the thigh, upper lateral genicular artery-based, measuring 20/10 cm, together with expanded free skin split grafts, applied in proximal third of the leg and distal third of the left thigh. Surgical stages and favorable postoperative evolution are exposed. Selection of a particular surgical procedure, depending on the extent and location of the postexcisional defect, as well as therapeutic alternatives according to the literature data, are also discussed. In conclusion, the lateral genicular artery flap represents a useful surgical procedure for covering anterolateral extended defects of the knee, by bringing pliable, supple and flexible cutaneous tissue, similar to original skin, without bulk or irregularities. Moreover, this flap dissection and transposition to the defect does not involve making microsurgical vascular anastomosis.