title: The morbidity of the free vascularised fibula flap.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Frenchay Hospital, Bristol, UK.
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Coghlan
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Townsend
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents