Complex Wound Reconstruction

Complex acquired wounds that have exposed major structures such as bone, joint, tendon, nerve, and vessels often times cannot heal without surgery. Common causes of these wounds include trauma, tumor removal, spinal cord injury, vascular disease and major infections.

The specific type of wound reconstruction performed is based on the individual and the severity of the deformity, the nature of the injury, and the expected functional recovery. Procedures performed include skin grafts, flaps (elevation of tissue based on a known blood supply) using muscle, fat or skin from the surrounding area or further away on the body, and microsurgical reconstruction using distant tissue. The recovery is variable, depending on the extent of the presurgical deformity and the complexity of the reconstruction performed.