title: Free tissue transfer for type III tibial fractures. Microsurgery in 19 cases.
abstract: We report 19 tibial fractures Types III B and C treated by free flaps. The fracture healed in 16 cases after 12 (3-54) months. In 3 cases a secondary amputation was carried out. Tibial malalignment or substantial shortening ensued in 1 case each. We conclude that coverage with free flaps, radical removal of dead bone, stable external fixation and transfer of vascularized bone may salvage the majority of Type III B and C tibial fracture with function superior to that after amputation.
authors.affiliation: National Orthopedic Center, Kronprinsesse Märthas Institutt, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Reigstad
authors.forename: K R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Hetland
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bye
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Waage
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Røkkum
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Husby
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000671:Amputation, Surgical / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D003646:Debridement / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D017102:Fracture Healing; D006085:Graft Survival; D006779:Hospitals, Public; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D011859:Radiography; D012086:Reoperation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016879:Salvage Therapy / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000145:classification / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*