ABSTRACT
The authors describe a method of closing truncal defects using free-tissue transfer
when neither local tissue or vascular access are available. The long saphenous vein
is dissected free as far distally as necessary and turned up, leaving its upper drainage
intact. The distal end is then anastomosed to the femoral artery to create a temporary
arteriovenous loop. After placing an appropriate free flap in the defect, the A-V
loop is divided and used to provide both arterial supply and venous drainage for the
flap. Anatomy, technique, and representative cases in which this method has been used
for closing traumatic tissue defects of the trunk are presented and discussed.
