TREATMENT OF COMBAT GUNSHOT SHRAPNEL TRAUMA OF LARGE DEFECTS OF THE SOFT TISSUES OF THE LOWER EXTREMITIES WITH PLASTIC SURGERY IN COMBINATION WITH VACUUM ASSISTED WOUND CLOSURE (VAC).

Objective: The aim: To evaluate efficacy of the tissue defect closure techniques in combination with VAC in the treatment of battle casualities of the lower extremities.

Patients And Methods: Materials and methods: The results of wound healing until complete wound closure, of 62 patients with shrapnel defects of the lower extremities where assessed.

Results: Results: Treatment of patients with soft tissue defects of the lower extremities using rotational flaps on the vascular pedicle and VAC significantly reduces the incidence of infectious complications (18.