Thoracoepigastric flap for the closure of an elbow defect in an intravenous drug abuser: A case report and review of literature.

The reconstruction of large soft tissue defects of the upper extremity is a challenging problem. Although free tissue transfer in a single stage is preferred, the recipient blood vessels usually determine the outcome. Due to venous occlusion from repeated intravenous drug abuse, the use of a thoracoepigastric flap to cover a complex wound of the elbow is reported.