BACKGROUND: Purpura fulminans remains a severe and potentially life-threatening disorder, despite advances in intensive care that have led to a significant increase in the survival rate. One major risk is amputation of extremities. METHODS: The present report concerns a series of four patients (all male; mean age, 19 years) whose lower limb extremities were salvaged by the use of free flaps in the feet. In total, six flaps were performed (mean per patient, 1.7): three latissimus dorsi, two serratus anterior, and one combination latissimus dorsi/serratus anterior. RESULTS: There were no flap failures, and the results are favorable after a mean follow-up of 25.5 months (range, 18 to 34 months), with all patients able to walk normally. CONCLUSION: Although microsurgery of this type has been criticized when performed in cases of purpura fulminans, the authors' series indicates that it can be particularly effective.
BACKGROUND:Purpura fulminans remains a severe and potentially life-threatening disorder, despite advances in intensive care that have led to a significant increase in the survival rate. One major risk is amputation of extremities. METHODS: The present report concerns a series of four patients (all male; mean age, 19 years) whose lower limb extremities were salvaged by the use of free flaps in the feet. In total, six flaps were performed (mean per patient, 1.7): three latissimus dorsi, two serratus anterior, and one combination latissimus dorsi/serratus anterior. RESULTS: There were no flap failures, and the results are favorable after a mean follow-up of 25.5 months (range, 18 to 34 months), with all patients able to walk normally. CONCLUSION: Although microsurgery of this type has been criticized when performed in cases of purpura fulminans, the authors' series indicates that it can be particularly effective.
Authors: Soo Yeon Lim; Gyeong Hoe Kim; Il Hoon Sung; Dong Woo Jang; Jung Soo Yoon; Youn Hwan Kim; Sang Wha Kim Journal: Biomed Res Int Date: 2018-05-08 Impact factor: 3.411
Authors: Kevin M Klifto; Caresse F Gurno; Michael J Grzelak; Stella M Seal; Mohammed Asif; C Scott Hultman; Julie A Caffrey Journal: Burns Trauma Date: 2019-10-18