Are There Differences in Short-Term Postoperative Outcomes Among Surgical Subspecialists Performing Lower Extremity Flap Procedures? A National Surgical Quality Improvement Project (NSQIP) Analysis of 1324 Patients

Soft tissue flaps are an integral and versatile tool to help manage soft tissue defects of varying severities. These complex procedures can be done by a variety of specialties and can lead to a variety of postoperative complications. Locoregional flaps are the middle rung of the reconstructive ladder and can be performed by surgeons of various training pathways. The profile of patients and their complications when stratified by surgical specialty is unknown. The purpose of this study was to compare short-term postoperative outcomes between surgical subspecialists performing a locoregional flap of the lower extremity to determine factors influencing complication rates.