One-stage reconstruction of war wounds with free osteocutaneous flaps.
Thirty-one patients with traumatic osteocutaneous defects of the extremities sustained during the war in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina were treated at the Institute of Plastic-Reconstructive and Breast Surgery in Zagreb. Injuries were categorised using the Mangled Extremity Syndrome Index (MESI). The average length of bone defect was 5.9 cm (range 4-12 cm). Patients were divided in two groups according to the time they had reconstruction with a free osteocutaneous flap: group 1, within 6 days after injury, and group 2, after more than 6 days. The mean time to reconstruction in group 2 was 5.2 weeks. Average time to solid bone union was 13.3 weeks in group 1 and 16.6 weeks in group 2. Functional outcome was better in group 1 with fewer complications, smaller number of operations and shorter hospital stay. One-stage reconstruction of osteocutaneous defects with free composite flaps provides reliable treatment solution with good functional outcome.
Dzepina
I
I
Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia.
Stanec
Z
Z
Skrbić
S
S
Hulina
D
D
Ivrlac
R
R
Unusić
J
J
Montani
D
D
D000328:Adult; D001134:Arm Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D001753:Blast Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D016025:Bone Transplantation; D017522:Bosnia and Herzegovina; D017523:Croatia; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007869:Leg Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014857:Warfare; D014947:Wounds and Injuries; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000601:surgery*