One-staged surgical management of large-scale skin necrosis after total knee arthroplasty: a case report (CARE-compliant)

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a common surgical procedure performed in clinical settings. However, postoperative skin necrosis surrounding the incision can be a devastating complication. A large area of black necrotic skin was observed at the incision and anterolateral side of the right knee in a 78-year-old female patient after TKA. Skin necrosis surrounding the incision site was confirmed. Deep joint infection was excluded by synovial fluid analysis. We performed extensive debridement, joint capsule was opened, the knee prosthesis was exposed and partial synovectomy was performed. Then massive soft tissue defect (about 18 cm × 10 cm) was developed with exposed implants. After irrigation, the medial and lateral gastrocnemius muscle flaps were both released and transferred to completely fill the soft tissue defect, and the muscle flaps were then covered with split-thickness skin graft. The wound defect was reconstructed by single-staged surgery. The surgical incisions were healing well with no incisional complications. No swelling, tenderness, or evidence of knee infection was noted during follow-up. The right knee maintained good function and the range of motion was 0° to 130° at 1-year follow-up after the operation. Massive skin necrosis after TKA is rare but manageable. One-stage surgical treatment is also applicable if there is no deep infection, which could shorten the treatment period and achieve early rehabilitation.