[Lateral superior genicular flap combined with Tuihuang xiaozhong decoction for the treatment of soft tissue defects around the knee joint].

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the early combination of Chinese and Western medicine for anti-inflammation and lateral superior genicular flap for the treatment of soft tissue defects around the knee joint. METHODS: From June 2004 to September 2008, 8 patients with soft tissue defects around the knee joint were treated with lateral superior genicular flap. Among the patients, 5 patients were male and 3 patients were female, ranging in age from 32 to 56 years, with an average of 35.2 years. The defected area ranged from 7.6 cm x 4.5 cm to 15.2 cm x 7.5 cm. The disease course ranged from 3 months to 3 years. Three patients had the defects at the posterior of the knee, 2 patients had the defects at the popliteal fossa, and 3 patients had the defects at the lateral side of the knee. At the early stage, all the patients were treated with Tuihuang Xiaozhong decoction and antibiotics for 3 to 5 days. RESULTS: All the flaps survived, and the knee function recovered. One patient had epidermis necrosis at the distal end of the flap of lateral side of the knee. CONCLUSION: The early combination of Chinese and Western medicine for anti-inflammation is a simple, easy to promote, and no special microsurgical instruments are needed.