Abstract
Free tissue transfer has become the standard in wound coverage and further refinements
have given us newer flap donor sites or modifications of existing flaps to decrease
morbidity; smaller vessels are being anastomosed, a direct spin-off following successful
distal replantations. Younger children are presenting with traumatic defects similar
to adults. Although there were apprehensions of free tissue transfer in children occasioned
by smaller vessels, duration of procedure and concerns of growth following flap harvest,
reports of small and large series have appeared in the literature with similar success.
Pediatric-free tissue transfer is now an established entity. This article seeks to
arrive at a consensus based on a review of the existing literature on free flaps for
skin and soft-tissue coverage of lower limb trauma in children.
Keywords
free flaps - lower limb trauma - pediatric
