OBJECTIVETo investigate clinical effect of gastrocnemius muscle flap for repairing postoperative infection of patellar internal fixation.

METHODSFrom January 2011 to January 2017, 15 patients with postoperative infection of patellar internal fixation were treated, including 9 males and 6 females ranged from 31 to 66 years old with an average age of (42.5±11.2) years old. The courses of disease ranged from 2 to 8 months with an average of (4.3±1.5) months. All wounds were repaired by gastrocnemius muscle flap after debridement. The coverage of muscle flap was performed by free skin graft and donor site was closed directly. Survival of muscle flap, healing of incision were observed. HUANG Yong-xin clinical criteria and KSS score criteria were used to evaluate knee joint function 9 after operation.

RESULTSAll muscle flaps were survived without necrosis. Incision of 13 patients were healed at stageI, and 2 patients had wound dehiscence after operation and healed after symptomatic treatment. All patients were followed up from 9 months to 30 months with an average of(20.6±8.3) months. No recurrence of infection was observed, and texture of muscle flap, skin color, appearance were good. According to HUANG Yong-xin clinical criteria, 13 excellent and 2 moderate. The clinical score of KSS score was 83.3±7.8, and functional score of KSS score was 86.3±10.4.

CONCLUSIONSGastrocnemius muscle flap is an effective method in repairing postoperative infection of patellar internal fixation with stable curative effect and low recurrence rate, which is worthy popularizing.