The Anterior Popliteal Approach for Popliteal Exploration, Distal Femoral Resection, and Endoprosthetic Reconstruction

Chia Chun Wu, Tamir Pritsch*, Ahmad Shehadeh, Jacob Bickels, Martin M. Malawer

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Distal femoral resection and endoprosthetic reconstruction are sometimes associated with flap necrosis and inadequate soft tissue coverage. We evaluated the anterior popliteal surgical approach, which was designed to reduce those complications by using a posteromedial myocutaneous flap based upon the vastus medialis. A retrospective analysis of 46 consecutive patients was performed, and results were compared with historical controls. Compared with 19.4% with wound complications and 22.7% with gastrocnemius flap transfers in previous series by the senior author, 7.8% of patients in the present study had minimal superficial flap necrosis, and no gastrocnemius transfers for soft tissue coverage were required. The median Musculoskeletal Tumor Society score was 26, and the local recurrence rate 2 years or more after resection of osteosarcoma was 4%. The anterior popliteal approach to the distal femur limited wound complications and provided good soft tissue coverage of the endoprostheses.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)254-262
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Arthroplasty
Volume23
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2008
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • anterior popliteal approach
  • distal femoral resection
  • endoprosthesis
  • myocutaneous flap
  • surgical approach
  • vastus medialis

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The Anterior Popliteal Approach for Popliteal Exploration, Distal Femoral Resection, and Endoprosthetic Reconstruction'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this