title: Considerations on 100 cases of free microsurgical flaps in the reconstruction of the soft tissues of the lower limb.
abstract: The authors evaluate the results for 100 cases of severe loss of substance of the lower limb treated by microvascular free flaps at the Division of Plastic Surgery, Bellaria Hospital in Bologna, between 1994 and 2001. The cases involved recent traumatic loss of substance in 48 cases, post-traumatic defects such as osteomyelitis, ulcers, unstable scarring, sequelae of burns in 40, and neoplasms in 12. Muscular flaps were used in 89 cases, skin flaps in 9, a flap of the omentum in 1; the latissumus dorsi flap was that most frequently used (50 cases). A total of 87 cases had favorable results, while in 13 cases there was failure of the flap. Based on the results obtained, and experience, current indications and causes of failure are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Unità Operativa Chirurgia Plastica, Ospedale Bellaria, Bologna.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fasano
authors.forename: F M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Montanari
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Zarabini
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Merelli
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mingozzi
mesh_terms: D000792:Angiography; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D002056:Burns / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D005354:Fibrosarcoma / Q000601:surgery; D005360:Fibula / Q000601:surgery; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000601:surgery*; D007869:Leg Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D007871:Leg Ulcer / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D008866:Microsurgery; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler