title: The development of varicosities within a free radial forearm flap used for distal-third tibial reconstruction.
abstract: Reports of varicosities developing in free flaps are very rare. The presence of varicose veins in recipient sites influencing the development of varicosities in free flaps, though physiologically possible, has not been documented in literature. We encountered an unusual case of varicosities developing in a free radial forearm flap used in soft-tissue reconstruction of an open distal-third tibial fracture, which is presented here. This case report thus adds an important dimension to the assessment of a patient when planning a free flap procedure in a recipient area with pre-existing varicosities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital of North Staffordshire NHS Trust, City General Hospital, Newcastle Road, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 6QG, UK. adilaku@hotmail.com
authors.forename: M A A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jose
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Srinivasan
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Jaffe
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005542:Forearm / Q000098:blood supply / Q000601:surgery; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods; D005597:Fractures, Open / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007869:Leg Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D011859:Radiography; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D035583:Rare Diseases; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012086:Reoperation / Q000379:methods; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000098:blood supply*; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*