Options for Covering Large Soft Tissue Defects in the Setting of Trauma

Purpose of Review: This review aims to describe the multiple surgical options available for soft tissue coverage following trauma. Recent Findings: While advances in microsurgical techniques have provided additional options for wound coverage by free tissue transfer, these options have been limited by donor site morbidity. Recent developments in artificial dermal substitutes have provided surgeons with the ability to cover larger wounds while minimizing donor site morbidity. This has the potential to improve surgical outcomes while increasing overall patient satisfaction. Summary: This review describes the various surgical options for wound coverage of soft tissue defects secondary to trauma and discusses the factors that must be emphasized in surgical decision making to select a wound coverage option that will provide the patient with the best esthetic and functional outcomes.