Feet Salvage Using Anterolateral Thigh Flaps after Severe Frostbite Injury: A Case Report

Scientific paper - Case study

• Author: Krešimir Martić
• Author: Borna Vojvodić
• Author: Božo Gorjanc
• Author: Ivan Budimir
• Author: Hrvoje Tucaković
• Author: Doroteja Caktaš
• Author: Rado Žic
• Author: Josip Jaman
• Author's institution: University of Zagreb; School of Medicine; (Department of Surgery)
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: BIOMEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE; Clinical Medical Sciences; Surgery

Abstract (english)

Background: Frostbite is a severe injury characterized by tissue damage due to exposure to freezing temperatures. It often necessitates prompt medical intervention to prevent further complications such as necrosis and amputation. This case report explores the successful use of bilateral anterolateral thigh (ALT) free flaps for feet salvage in a 19-year-old male refugee from Gambia who suffered severe frostbite injuries.
Case Report: The patient, found after six days in freezing conditions, exhibited necrosis on multiple toes. Initial management included stabilization, intravenous fluids, and rewarming. Subsequent necrectomy and amputation revealed exposed metatarsal bones, necessitating a meticulous reconstructive strategy. Bilateral ALT flaps were chosen to preserve walking function, with a staged reconstruction involving multiple operations. The patient’s progress, from inpatient care to outpatient follow-ups, is detailed, emphasizing the challenges and decisions in managing severe frostbite injuries.
Results: The surgical intervention utilizing bilateral ALT flaps successfully salvaged the patient’s feet. Throughout the postoperative period, wound care, rehabilitation, and outpatient monitoring contributed to positive outcomes. Despite challenges associated with the patient’s ethnic background and nutritional status, the staged reconstruction facilitated effective healing and functional recovery. The use of ALT flaps provided a reliable solution with minimal donor site morbidity. Conclusion: This case highlights the efficacy of bilateral ALT flap reconstruction in salvaging feet following severe frostbite injury. The successful restoration of foot function underscores the importance of early intervention and tailored reconstructive approaches in frostbite management. Despite patient-specific challenges, including nutritional status and limited healthcare resources, the use of ALT flaps facilitated optimal recovery and functional outcomes. Importantly, this report is unique as it describes a novel case of feet salvage using bilateral ALT flaps in severe frostbite injury, with only one similar case previously reported in the literature. This emphasizes the rarity and significance of this specific surgical approach in frostbite management.

• Keywords (english): anterolateral thigh flap; feet salvage; frostbite; reconstructive surgery
• Language: english
• Publication type: Scientific paper - Case study
• Publication status: Published
• Peer review: Peer review
• Publication version: Published version
• Journal title: Journal of Personalized Medicine
• Numbering: vol. 14, no. 4, 389
• e-ISSN: 2075-4426
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm14040389
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:105:075305
• Publication: 2024-04-05
• Document URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4426/14/4/389
• Type of resource: Text
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2025-03-03 09:46:45