title: [Importance of donor site vascular imaging in free fibula flap reconstruction].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Free fibula flap is widely used in head and neck reconstruction. Imaging studies of the donor site can reveal vascular abnormalities and therefore prevent acute leg ischemia.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Evaluation of the role of donor site vascular imaging studies for free fibula flap planing.
  
  
  METHODS
  Out of 35 free flap reconstructions performed in Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Department in Medical University in Lublin in 2011-2012, there were 10 fibula flaps. Each patient had preoperative lower leg subtraction angiography performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Lower leg angiography revealed vascular abnormalities in two out of 10 patients scheduled for free fibula flap transfer. One had dominant peroneal artery and second occlusion of anterior tibial artery. In both cases fibula was harvested from the other leg.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Imaging studies reveal lower leg vascular abnormalities in 20% of cases thus facilitate surgical plans alternations and prevent serious complications in free fibula flap patients.
authors.affiliation: Katedra i Klinika Otolaryngologii i Onkologii Laryngologicznej Uniwersytetu Medycznego w Lublinie, Poland. troja23@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Piotr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Trojanowski
authors.forename: Adrian
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Andrzejczak
authors.forename: Agnieszka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Trojanowska
authors.forename: Witold
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Olszański
authors.forename: Janusz
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Klatka
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000792:Angiography; D005260:Female; D005360:Fibula / Q000637:transplantation*; D058752:Free Tissue Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010157:Palatal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods; D016378:Tissue Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D060053:Transplant Donor Site / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*