The morbidity of the free vascularised fibula flap.
Twenty patients who had undergone free vascularised fibula flap transfers were reviewed to determine the incidence of peri and postoperative complications. The mean follow-up was 3.2 years (0.2-10); 18 grafts were successful, but required 10 re-operations for complications including 5 haematoma evacuations and 3 bone grafts and plates for delayed or non-union. The two unsuccessful fibula grafts required 11 re-operations, the majority for infections and non-union. Technical details of the operative procedure are reviewed for their part in the complications.
Coghlan
B A
BA
Department of Plastic Surgery, Frenchay Hospital, Bristol, UK.
Townsend
P L
PL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001863:Bone Screws; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D016267:External Fixators; D005260:Female; D005360:Fibula / Q000637:transplantation*; D005599:Fractures, Ununited / Q000601:surgery; D006085:Graft Survival; D006406:Hematoma / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000601:surgery*; D012086:Reoperation; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000188:drug therapy; D013997:Time Factors
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents