An eight-year-old girl has regained the ability to walk after undergoing complex reconstructive surgery at KIMS Hospitals, Seethammadhara, Visakhapatnam, following a severe road accident.
The child sustained fractures and extensive soft-tissue, muscle and tendon injuries to her right foot. Significant tissue loss left the weight-bearing area without adequate coverage, making functional reconstruction challenging.
Microsurgical Tissue Flap Restores Coverage
According to Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon Dr. K Pavan Venkateswar, surgeons first removed the damaged tissue and thoroughly debrided the wound. They then performed a microsurgical tissue flap procedure, transferring healthy tissue from the child’s left thigh to the injured foot.
The transferred tissue was placed over the defect, while its blood vessels were connected to vessels in the foot using microsurgical techniques. This restored blood supply and provided durable coverage for exposed underlying structures, including tendons and bones.
Why a Tissue Flap Was Used
As per the surgical team, extensive soft-tissue loss in a weight-bearing area such as the foot may require more substantial coverage than a conventional thin skin graft can provide.
A well-vascularised tissue flap can offer structural coverage, support wound healing and provide more durable protection to deeper tissues.
Multidisciplinary Care Supports Recovery
Following surgery, the child received close monitoring and specialised postoperative care. The paediatric anaesthesia team led by Dr. Srinivasa Varma and the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) team under Dr. Gurupasad contributed to her recovery.
The child showed steady improvement and was able to walk normally within a month.
The case highlights how advances in microsurgery and reconstructive techniques can help salvage severely injured limbs, particularly in children, while supporting earlier restoration of function.