title: Fifty consecutive free flaps in a new microsurgical unit.
abstract: Fifty free flap operations in 49 patients were performed in Oulu University Central Hospital during a three year period. The patients' ages ranged from 15 to 83 years; mean 41 years. The indication for the operation was malignant tumor in 19 cases, benign tumor in one case, trauma in 28 cases and congenital anomaly in 2 cases. The radial forearm flap was used in 36 cases; latissimus dorsi in 7 cases; lateral arm, rectus abdominis, and fibula in two cases; and second toe in one case. Forty-nine of the fifty flaps were successful (98%); two venous thromboses were successfully revised. Starting microsurgery in a new unit is demanding but also rewarding due to the good results.
authors.affiliation: Oulu University Central Hospital, Department of Surgery, Finland.
authors.forename: T H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Waris
authors.forename: O I
authors.initials: OI
authors.lastname: Kaarela
authors.forename: H E
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Teerikangas
authors.forename: T K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Raatikainen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D002423:Cause of Death; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D005542:Forearm / Q000601:surgery; D006085:Graft Survival; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D009132:Muscles / Q000637:transplantation; D011884:Radius; D013503:Surgery Department, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015996:Survival Rate; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000601:surgery