Surgical treatment of wounds of the lower leg and foot with loss of substance.

In the surgical treatment of wounds of the distal regions of the leg with loss of substance, particular anatomical conditions and the frequent coexistence of previous diseases or of diseases connected to the trauma make it hard to choose the most appropriate surgical strategy and require a multidisciplinary approach. Timing and treatment modalities must be decided by different operators in order to ensure a lower risk of post-surgical complications and disabling outcomes. The need for plastic and reconstructive treatment is growing as a result both of the improvement in reconstructive techniques and of the increased incidence of major injuries.