title: Free-flap harvesting from paralytic limbs of poliomyelitis patients--a safe and feasible option.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Many patients who had childhood poliomyelitis are still suffering from the late sequalae of the condition. Free-flap harvesting from the paralytic limbs from these patients is a logical approach for functional preservation. However, concerns have been raised regarding its safety due to its hypoplastic vascular system and potential donor site healing problems.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 53-year-old man with known childhood poliomyelitis presented with left facial sarcoma. After wide excision, the defect was reconstructed with a dual-island fasciocutaneous-free anterolateral thigh flap harvested from his paralytic limb. The pedicle and perforators were found to be no different from those in normal limbs. His recovery was smooth without complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  On the basis of our experience and current evidence in the literature, we believe that free-flap harvesting from the paralytic lower limb in poliomyelitis patients is a safe option that incurs no additional risk and allows maximal function preservation.
authors: Division of Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Hong Kong Medical Centre, Hong Kong. richieclchan@gmail.com
authors: R C L
authors: RC
authors: Chan
authors: H L
authors: HL
authors: Liu
authors: Y W
authors: YW
authors: Chan
mesh_terms: D005153:Facial Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D058752:Free Tissue Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*; D006085:Graft Survival; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011051:Poliomyelitis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D017751:Safety Management; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013848:Thigh / Q000601:surgery; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology