title: [Microsurgical repair of the defect with large area of bare tibia].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the best method in repairing the defect with a large area of bare tibia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three hundred and twenty-two cases of large bare tibia defects were treated by three microsurgical methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The bare tibiae in the 322 cases ranging from 12 x 3 cm to 24.0 x 3.5 cm were covered with myocutaneous flaps. Primary wound healing was achieved in 300 cases and delayed healing in 22 cases. All the cases were followed-up for 1 to 5 years. The function of the lower limbs was evidently improved. None of them was amputated due to deficit of skin coverage. The patients were all satisfied with the operative results.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Transposition of the bridging skin flap pedicaled with the contralateral posterior tibial blood vessels can cover extensive bare tibia to avoid amputation. Other myocutaneous flaps from thoraco-umbilical, tensor muscle of fascia lata and scapular-lateral chest areas are good options too.
authors.affiliation: Trauma Center, 89th Hospital of People's Liberation Army, Weifang, Shandong.
authors.forename: Q
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007869:Leg Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013977:Tibia / Q000601:surgery*