Soft Tissue Reconstruction and Flap Coverage for Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty

BackgroundTotal knee arthroplasty is a successful operation for treatment of arthritis. However, devastating wound complications and infections can compromise the knee joint, particularly in revision situations.MethodsSoft tissue loss associated with poor wound healing and multiple operations can necessitate the need for reconstruction for wound closure and protection of the prosthesis.ResultsCoverage options range from simple closure methods to complex reconstruction, including delayed primary closure, healing by secondary intention, vacuum-assisted closure, skin grafting, local flap coverage, and distant microsurgical tissue transfer.ConclusionUnderstanding the advantages and pitfalls of each reconstructive option helps to guide treatment and avoid repeated operations and potentially devastating consequences such as knee arthrodesis or amputation.