Inferiorly-based gastrocnemius muscle flap in the treatment of war wounds of the middle and lower third of the leg.

Over the last 2 years we have treated several hundred severe lower limb injuries due to shells or high velocity missiles. Often these injuries involved extensive loss of the soft tissues and bone. We have been very impressed with the versatility of the inferiorly-based gastrocnemius muscle flap in the safe closure of these defects.