Accelerated flap coverage for severe leg injuries: earlier reconstruction vs standard timing
Official title: Accelerated Flap Coverage Versus Standard Timing in the Treatment of Severe Lower Extremity Musculoskeletal Injuries
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-11636988 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study tests whether doing early flap coverage after a severe leg injury lowers infection risk and improves healing for patients with open wounds and bone injury.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | September 22, 2025 |
| Project end | August 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,093,226 |
| NIH project number | 4UH3AR085896-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11636988 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with severe lower-extremity musculoskeletal injuries requiring soft tissue flap coverage.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with less severe injuries or who are not candidates for early flap coverage may not benefit.
What this research studies
If you have a severe leg injury with the bone exposed, this study will compare doing flap reconstruction within a shorter window (early coverage) to the usual timing. Researchers will coordinate care at specialized centers to perform thorough wound cleaning, debridement, and flap transfer as soon as feasible within the study protocol. The goal is to see if earlier reconstruction reduces infection and improves outcomes for patients, using standardized procedures and monitoring. Participation would involve treatment timing decisions and follow-up to track healing, infections, and recovery. This is based on prior evidence suggesting earlier coverage could improve results.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients may experience fewer infections and better healing after severe leg injuries.
How similar studies have gone: Prior data from the UK showed infection rates dropped with early flap coverage; this study tests applicability in the US.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mundy, Lily — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Mundy, Lily
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.