title: Donor-site necrosis following fibula free-flap transplantation: a report of three cases.
abstract: The free fibula flap is the microsurgeon's workhorse for the reconstruction of osseous or osteocutaneous defects. Donor-site morbidity of this flap is reported to occur infrequently, and is generally considered minor and transient. We present the case histories of three patients with necrosis at the fibula flap donor site to stress the risks and explain the possible mechanisms of such severe complications. The small risk of debilitating donor-site necrosis should be considered and discussed preoperatively with the patient.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Netherlands Cancer Institute/Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Klein
authors.forename: J Joris
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Hage
authors.forename: Leonie A E
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Woerdeman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000792:Angiography; D005260:Female; D005360:Fibula / Q000637:transplantation*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D009336:Necrosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D012086:Reoperation; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000473:pathology*; D014019:Tissue Donors; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology